Austin Stacks GAA Club News

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Austin StacksSENIOR FOOTBALL: Dr. Crokes 1-11; Austin Stacks 1-10.

After a rather sluggish first half, at the end of which we trailed by four points (1-6 to 0-5), we took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second period and were just pipped at the post by the narrowest of margins in round 3 of the Co. Championship played at Fitzgerald Stadium yesterday (4th Oct).

From the throw-in Crokes waltzed through for a goal after just 19 seconds. However, despite this set-back we defended well for the rest of the half, scoring five points (3 from play) to six for Crokes. The one factor which left us training at half time (apart from the concession of the goal) was the uncharacteristic number of wides we had  in that first half (six in all, to just two for Crokes), and playing with the stiffish wind to our backs. Our first half scorers were Darragh O’Brien with two frees and one each from play by Shane Carroll, Fiachna Mangan and Greg Horan.

Stacks Crokes 4

Action from Sunday’s game. Photo by Dermot Crean

 

At the start of the second half Kieran Donaghy move to midfield and he was the dominant figure for the remainder of the game. Both sides exchanged points early on – ours coming from Darragh O’Brien after a Pa McCarthy assist. Crokes added another in the 37th minute to put them five clear again but three minutes later good work by Wayne Guthrie found Denis McElligott whose long diagonal ball to the far post found Star lurking at the edge of the square and he rose highest to flick to the net.

A pointed free by Crokes in the 46th minute increased their lead again to three. Then in a five minute spell (49th to the 54th minute) we dominated play – putting over four points without reply to put us in the lead for the first time in the game. Our points came from two Darragh Long frees and one each from play by Star and Mikey Collins.

It looked at that stage as if we had the momentum to push on from there, but Crokes responded again with an equalizing point in the 56th minute and they put over the winner four minutes later.

It didn’t help our cause to have players like the Shanahan brothers – Ronan and Barry – as well as David Mannix and Daniel Bohan watching on as they recover from injury. But credit to everyone – players, mentors and supporters – for a great effort.

Even though the premier competition has eluded us this year we could still capture two more crowns before the season ends – the Town Championship against Kerins O’Rahillys (best of luck to O’Rahillys for the remainder of the Co. Championship) and the Co, League Final, also against Crokes, but to get there we must win our two remaining Co. League games against Finuge and Desmonds. The Finuge game, in Connolly Park, has been fixed for next Sunday (11th Oct) at 2pm.

Team: Darragh O’Brien, Barry Walsh, Fearghal MacNamara (Capt), Jack Morgan, Pa McCarthy, Conor Jordan, Ciarán O’Connell, Shane Guthrie, Shane Carroll (0-1), Denis McElligott, Greg Horan (0-1), Fiachna Mangan (0-1), Shane O’Callaghan, Kieran Donaghy (1-1), Darragh O’Brien (0-3 – 2 frees).

Subs used: Seán Ryan (ht), Wayne Guthrie (ht), Jack O’Shea (36m), Darragh Long (41m) (0-2 – frees), Mikey Collins (50m) (0-1).

HURLING: Sunday week (18th Oct) has been fixed as the date for the County JH Championship Final between ourselves and Duagh. The venue and time have yet to be decided. This will be a repeat of the 2012 Final which we won by 4-10 to 0-9.

In the meantime we are due to play Dr. Crokes in the final of the South Kerry Championship on next Saturday (10th Oct) at a venue and time to be decided.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: And mention of the Hurlers, let us wish birthday greetings to former Club Hurler and team mentor, Maurice Lenihan who celebrated a big birthday at the weekend with nice bash in the Clubhouse. Happy birthday Maurice.

U21 FOOTBALL: The Club Championship  (Shield Section) semi final tie between ourselves and  Ballydonoghue has been fixed for Saturday week (17th Oct). The game, in Connolly Park, is due to start at 3pm.

MINOR FOOTBALL: Our Minors are still awaiting to play their semi final (in the Central League) against either Dingle, An Ghaeltacht or Laune Rangers.

BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.

CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Des at 066 7126942  after 8pm any evening.

CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.

LOTTO: Last week’s (28th Sept) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 17, 18, 23, and 24.

The €20 Prizes went to Joe Smith, c/o Carmel O’Neill; Pat O’Neill and Niall Quinn, both c/o The Club; Kay Dillon, c/o The Bingo; and Eamon O’Reilly, c/o The Minors.

SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Michael Healy Martin, Ashgrove, Ballyvelly; Bridie O’Sullivan, Spa Road; Bruddy (Henry) Burrows, Reidy’s Terrace and late of Leedale, Caherslee and Kevin Barry’s Villas; Dr. Ray (Richard F.) Chute, Caherslee; Gayle McConkey, Castlewood Park (sister-in-law of Club Member, John Gutteridge); and Gerard Ryle, Farmer’s Bridge.

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