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HAPPY NEW YEAR: We wish all our members, supporters and everyone in the local community a happy and safe 2022.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: The forthcoming Munster Final will be the 3rd time that ourselves and St. Finbarrs have met one another in the Munster competition. Both sides have a win each to their credit from the two occasions that we have met. We won the first encounter away back in 1976/77 – a Munster final – by just two points (1-7 to – 0-8). We went on to win our one and only All Ireland Final to date later in that season. The only other time we have met was in the 1986/87 campaign – in a Munster semi final – when the Cork boys had a six points victory (0-11 to 0-5). They went on to win that All Ireland Final – the last of the three All Irelands that they have won to date – the other two were in 1980 and 1981.
SENIOR FOOTBALL 2021. For a season that didn’t get going until 12th June what a calendar year it has been for our Seniors. We have played 15 competitive games – drew the first two, lost game number 3 and then went on to win the remaining 12 games – something we have only achieved on one more occasion in the Club’s history – that in 2018, also under the leadership of Wayne Quillinan.
The first three games were in the five round Co. League and we then went on to win the remaining two rounds which kept us in division one again for season 2022. We then won all the five games in the Club Championship, culminating in a win in the Club final against Kenmare Shamrocks (1-16 to 1-11). We went on then to win all four games in the County Championship including the final against Kerins O’Rahillys (0-13 to 0-10). It was only the second time in the Club’s history to have won the Club and Co. Championship double in the same year – the first being in 1979, the inaugural year of the Club Championship. Our 15th and final game in 2021 was the recent win against Newcastlewest in the Munster Club Championship semi final (1-15 to 0-8). So a very successful 2021 calendar year. Chief scorer was Darragh O’Brien as he was in seasons 2018 and 2019. Seán Quilter was in second spot with Shane O’Callaghan (who was tops in 2020) in 3rd position this year.
And of course the outstanding statistic of 2021 was that achieved by Kieran Donaghy when he eclipsed a record that had stood for nearly 30 years, surpassing Ger O’Keeffe’s record for the most Co. Championship games played. Ger, with 59 games played, had held that record since 5th July 1992. The recent Co. Final against Strand Road has extended Star’s record to 63 County Championship appearances.
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.
DECEMBER IN THE PAST (22nd to 31st): On the field of play on 22nd Dec 2020 the Kerry Minors won their 49th Munster title with seven Rock players on the Kerry panel – Joey Nagle, Armin Heinrich, Ben Quilter, Jordan Kissane, Conor Horan, Shane Bastible and Dean Rusk.
Off the field – on 28th Dec 1918 – Austin Stack was elected as a Sinn Féin TD for West Kerry in the first Dáil.
In the closing days of December in the past four famous Rock men went to their eternal rewards. In 1975 (27th Dec) Joe Mulchinock died suddenly after returning from his other great love – the Annual Coarsing Meeting in Ballybeggan Park. Then in 2017 (22nd Dec) both Paul Lucey and Paddy Scanlan passed away and finally this time last year (30th Dec) we bade farewell to Pa Fitzgerald.
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 last week-end means that our Card sessions cannot now take place again until the end of January at the earliest.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently: Brian (Joseph) McCann, Cahermoneen (father of former Club Footballer, Declan); Patrick (Patsy) Breen, Gurrane, Oakpark and formerly Cloon, Glencar; Betty O’Sullivan, St. Anthony’s Court and formerly Mitchel’s Road; Joan Pitman (nee Callaghan), Mitchel’s Avenue and formerly Mitchel’s Crescent; and Mary Nolan (nee McCannon), Castleisland and formerly St. Brendans Park (sister of Donie and aunt of former Club Footballers, Pogga, Mikey, Danny and Paul).
