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Stacks brought the silverware to the parade.
GOLF CLASSIC: It’s all systems go for our Golf Classic which goes ahead at Tralee Golf Club on this Friday (25th March). See Club Website for more details.
Some of the Stacks faithful in the parade.
MEMBERSHIP 2022: Membership for 2022 is now due. Please pay online through club website – austinstacks.ie or through foireann .com. Any queries please contact Bernie at 0860767415.
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LIDL PLUS LGFA CLUB REWARDS SCHEME – Help our Ladies Club get a new set of Jerseys! Each time Lidl Plus registered users spend more than €30 in their local Lidl store and scan their app at the till until Sunday 27th March, they will receive a stamp on their digital stamp card. Alternatively, ask the cashier to add your shopping points to our Club Treasurer’s number – 086 0767415. Multiple stamps can be earned in each shop if a multiple of €30 is spent (€60 = 2 stamps, €90 = 3 stamps, etc.) and once six stamps have been collected, users can submit their completed stamp card via the app where their stamps are then added to their chosen club’s total.
Taking part in the parade.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-15; Gneeveguilla 0-8.
With the 2020 season abandoned after just one round and last year’s season curtailed to just five rounds it was nice to see the Co. League back to its normal routine again with our opening game in Connolly Park on this St. Patrick’s Day afternoon. The game started well for the away side who led by three points to one after eight minutes – our point coming in the fourth minute from David Fitzmaurice. The only goal of the game came in the ninth minute. A beautiful cross-field ball from Barry Shanahan found the onrushing Gearóid Sheehan whose perfect pass found Cian Purcell lurking near the square and Cian’s low shot found the back of the net to put us in the lead for the first time, a lead which we never relinquished thereafter. Further points from play by Gearóid Fitzgerald, Michael O’Donnell and Conor Myers and two from frees by David Mannix left us four ahead at the break (1-6 to 0-5).
Emptying the bench during the second half saw us in total control during which we outscored the opposition by nine points to three to end up with a comfortable ten points victory. David Mannix added a further four points (three from frees) with Michael O’Donnell adding two and one each coming from Paul O’Sullivan, Jack O’Shea and Conor Myers. So a great performance by all 20 players who looked eager and determined all through and with Barry Walsh giving a Man-of-the-Match performance.
Team: Ben Quilter, Luke Chester, Barry Walsh, Niall Fitzmaurice, Dara Barry Walsh, Jack O’Shea (0-1), Eoghan Carroll, Michael O’Donnell (Capt) (0-3), Barry Shanahan, David Fitzmaurice (0-1), David Mannix (0-6 – five frees), Gearóid Sheehan, Cian Purcell (1-0), Gearóid Fitzgerald (0-1), Conor Myers (0-2).
Subs used: Greg Horan (ht), Fiachna Mangan (39m), Paul O’Sullivan (39m) (0-1), Ronan Shanahan (42m), Donagh McMahon (55).
We now travel to Kenmare in a fortnight’s time to play Shamrocks in round 2 of the League.
And it’s great to see our County players continuing to be involved in Kerry’s NFL campaign. On Sunday last Dylan played his first full game at Senior level, Greg was also introduced and Joseph O’Connor was back in action after recovering from his Munster Final injury. And Jack O’Shea is now also on the panel.
B FOOTBALL: Tarbert 4-14; Austin Stacks 2-5.
Winning all our nine games during the 2021 season, including the Tralee/Brendans League Final and the Division 5 Co. League Final, this was not the start that Paddy Barry and his Management Team (Mikey Collins, Dale Counihan, Tim McMahon, Eamonn O’Reilly and TJ Sheehan) would have hoped for when we travelled to Tarbert for the opening round of the Co. League (Div 4) on this Sunday afternoon (20th March).
The home side started well with a goal from a penalty inside the second minute. This was followed, four minutes later, by a pointed free before we opened our account in the eight minute from a pointed free by Donagh McKivergan following a foul on Donnacha Sayers. This was followed by two more points for the home side before Calvin Foley was at the end of a good move in the 14th minute to fist to the net and leave just two points between the sides as we entered the second quarter. That, however, was the closest we got to victory as they added three more points to our two during that second quarter – our two coming from another Donagh McKivergan free and one from play by Conor Myers. Conor, at that stage, had replaced Donnacha Sayers who had picked up an injury. We all wish Donnacha a full and speedy recovery.
As they did in the first half Tarbert goaled inside the third minute after the resumption. They then added three more points before we scored two just coming up to the end of the third quarter – both from play by Calvin Foley and Shane Carroll – to leave them ahead by 2-9 to 1-5 at that stage.
The home side dominated the final quarter adding a further 2-5 to just one goal for us – scored again by Calvin Foley in the 57thminute.
Team: Ben Quilter, Luke Chester, Ruairí O;Connell, John Murphy, Eoghan Carroll, Donagh McMahon, Dara Barry Walsh, Paul Barrett (Capt), Shane Walsh, Gearóid Sheehan, Conor Horan, Andrew Morrissey, Donagh McKivergan (0-2 –frees), Calvin Foley (2-1), Donnacha Sayers.
Subs used: Conor Myers (19m) (0-1), Killian Litchfield (ht), Seán Rusk (ht), Shane Carroll (38m) (0-1), Daniel O’Rourke (47m).
In round two, in a fortnight’s time, we have a home game against Scartaglin, who drew their first round game with a ten points to ten scoreline at home to Ardfert.
THE C TEAM: Our C Team had a very useful challenge game against the recently-formed East Belfast Club who were visiting us during the St. Patrick’s week-end. This was good preparation for their opening round of the Co. League which commences with an away game against Keel B on next Saturday evening(26th March) at 5pm.
And what a week-end it was for our two East Belfast teams – Mens and Ladies. Well done all involved in the preparation and hosting of the event, especially our Co. Board delegate, Eddie Barrett whose wife Pauline is a Belfast woman of course.
MINOR FOOTBALL: With a draw against Keel/Listry in the opening round and a loss against Laune Rangers in round 2 we were due to play Dr. Crokes in round 3 on last Saturday afternoon but it was called off at short notice. At the moment round 4 is still scheduled to go ahead on this coming Saturday (26th March) at 4pm in Connolly Park but that has yet to be confirmed. The 5th and final round is also a home game for us against Kilcummin which is due to go ahead the following week-end.
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/
CLUB CARDS: Our Card sessions continue in the Clubhouse on Monday and Thursday nights with the starting time at 9pm sharp.
CLUB LOTTO: Monday Night’s (21st March) Jackpot, worth €4,150 was not won. The numbers drawn were 8, 10, 25, 31. The €20 winners were Kieran Donaghy, Michael Hickey, Ciara O’Sullivan and Tommy Bracker O’Regan, all c/o The Club; and Patrick Moynihan, c/o Gneeveguilla GAA.
Next Monday’s Jackpot will be worth €4,200.
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=X529#Anchor Kirby’s Brogue InnMaguire’s Butchers Hussey’s P. Commane Books.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently: Ita O’Donnell (nee Sweeney), Old Gallowsfield (mother of former Club Footballer, Gene and current Juvenile Mentor), Mark Neville, North Circular Road; Mary Riordan, Ballyard and formerly Clounmore, Milltown; and Tomás Dowling, Sandy Lane, Banna and formerly Ballyard and Church Street.
Virus-free. www.avg.com
