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Austin Stacks in a huddle on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-15; Newcastle West 0-8.
A very polished all-round performance, without extending themselves too much, saw our boys qualify for our 5th Munster Club Final (we lost the first two in 1974 and 1975 and the won the next two in 1976 and 2014) where we will now play the Cork Champions (St. Finbarrs) on the week-end of January 15th/16th.
It was five points to nil at the end of the first quarter. Newcastlewest got their only point of the first half in the 24th minute. We then added four more points to leave us ahead at half time by 0-9 to 0-1.
We added two more points just after the resumption, but the visitors then came more into the game, adding four unanswered points. But we really wrapped the game up before the end of the second water-break when we added two more points and the only goal of the game, put away beautifully by Brendan O’Sullivan. We led at that stage by 1-13 to 0-5.
In the final quarter the Limerick boys added a further three points to our two to leave us with a comfortable ten points win at the end.
Team: Wayne Guthrie, Colin Griffin, Dylan Casey (Capt), Jack O’Shea, Paul O’Sullivan, Conor Jordan, Barry Shanahan, Joseph O’Connor, Greg Horan (0-1), Michael O’Gara. Fiachna Mangan, Brendan O’Sullivan (1-2), Seán Quilter (0-1 free), Kieran Donaghy (0-2 – one mark), Darragh O’Brien (0-8 – five frees).
Subs used: Armin Heinrich (41m), Shane O’Callaghan (43m) (0-1), Michael O’Donnell (50m), Jack Morgan (53m), David Fitzmaurice (54m).
Great again to get to another Munster Final but there was some sadness in the locality during the week-end with the death of Hannah O’Regan – mother-in-law of team Manager, Wayne Quillinan whose funeral was taking place just hours after the full-time whistle on Sunday evening (see Sympathy column).
CHAIRMAN’S CHRISTMAS GREETINGS.
AS Club Chairman, I extend warm season’s greetings to Rock people at home and abroad. I wish club members and supporters everywhere a very happy Christmas and good health in the New Year. Sincere thanks to everybody, who served Austin Stacks in any capacity during the year as administrators, team officials, volunteers and players.
We all rejoiced in the wonderful successes which Austin Stacks achieved during the past twelve months. Pride of place goes to our senior team which won the county senior football championship exactly 100yrs after The Rock Street Club won it’s very first county football title, the Kerry Junior football championship, in 1921. The Club won the first of its thirteen county senior football championships in 1928, captained by the great Joe Barrett.
Our resolute senior team has now qualified for the Munster senior club championship final against St. Finbarr’s, Cork in mid-January 2022. Let’s begin the New Year by winning that prestigious title. Our great club will be relying on the famous Rockie Supporters – the 16th Man – to rally behind the team in the final. I am appealing to Austin Stacks supporters everywhere to attend the final and convert the venue into a sea of black and amber. As a united, determined and focussed club, Austin Stacks will win this final.
Club members can play an important part in the ongoing development and successes of the club at all levels by taking on an active role in administration and team mentoring at whatever level they feel comfortable. Supporters can best serve the club by becoming paid-up members in 2022. Membership fees are an important source of club income.
I am encouraging all members to actively participate in the Austin Stack Club Annual General Meeting on the 23rd January. Nominations for all positions on the Club Executive Committee will be accepted from this week. Please make yourself available to serve on the Club Executive Committee or on any of the subcommittees which ensure that Austin Stacks is run efficiently and to the highest standards.
Please stay safe and well during the holiday period and continue to comply fully with Government and GAA health guidelines to ensure that our members and their families are protected from the deadly omicron virus. Beannachtaí na Nollag oraibh go léir.
CONGRATULATIONS: Ger Scollard is always on the ball when it comes to Hurling and he informs us that former Club Hurler, Terry Desmond and Fiona Coughlan were married last Saturday week (11th Dec). Congrats and best wishes Terry and Fiona from everyone in the Club.
FITNESS CLASSES: The Individual Pod Fitness Training sessions continues in the Clubhouse every Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8pm. All are welcome. Contact Diane at 087 7940531 for further information.
ONLINE CLUB SHOP: A reminder that our Club shop is open 24/7. Check out the newest ‘official’ Austin Stacks Club Merchandise – only available to order on this link (free delivery on any orders over €50) see www.oneills.com We would also like to introduce the new Austin Stacks Ganzee Club Clothing Collection, available in Mens/Unisex, Womens & kids check out all the style ranges in hoodies, t-shirts and sweatshirts on www.ganzee.ie/austin-stacks-gaa-clubs/
CARDS: The new restrictions that came into place at the week-end means that our Card sessions are in limbo again, at least until the end of January.
CLUB LOTTO: Monday Night’s (20th Dec) Jackpot, worth €3,500 was not won. The numbers drawn were 1, 13, 14, 19. The €20 winners were Joe McMahon and Trevor Houlihan, both c/o The Club; Mary O’Riordan, c/o John O’Riordan; and Luke McNeice and Vincent Kenny, both c/o Carmel O’Neill.
Next week’s Jackpot (Tuesday, 28th Dec) will be worth €3,550.
The €25 Christmas Voucher was won by Pat & Eileen Finn.
Continued thanks to the following businesses for selling our Club Lotto tickets – Kevin Barry’s Shop, Commane’s Book Shop, O’Flynn Interiors, Hussey’s, Princess St., Terry’s Butcher’s, Oakpark The Burger Shack, Monavally as well as Maguire’s Butchers and Kirby’s Brogue Inn and continued thanks to everyone who purchase tickets week in, week out.
Austin Stacks lotto tickets are now also available to purchase on line on the following link: https://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=529#Anchor Kirby’s Brogue Inn Maguire’s ButchersHussey’s P. Commane Books.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently: Christina Harnett, Ogham Rian and formerly Dromtrasna North, Abbeyfeale; Caroline O’Brien, Killerisk Road; Donie Sheehy, Clogheresta, Hawley Park and formerly Balloonagh Estate and Old Golf Links Road; Hannah O’Regan (nee Carmody), Kilquane, Ballymacelligott and formerly Ardfert (mother of Mags – wife of SF Manager, Wayne Quillinan); Brian (Joseph) McCann, Cahermoneen and formerly Belfast; Sister Colette Stafford, Mercy Convent, Balloonagh and formerly Waterford City; Eileen Scannell (nee O’Brien), Lisanearla and Doon; Brian (Joseph) McCann, Cahermoneen; and Kathleen O’Shea (nee Lyons), Caheranne Close and formerly Caherina.
