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SENIOR FOOTBALL: Ourselves and Na Gaeil get this season’s Co. Championship underway under lights at Austin Stacks Park on this Friday night (9th Sept) at 8pm. It will be the first time ever that the two sides have met in the competition. Sixteen teams (eight Club and eight Divisional) will be taking part this season, divided into four groups of four. Along with ourselves and Na Gaeil in Group 3 are Mid Kerry and West Kerry. Group 1 is comprised of Dr. Crokes, Kenmare Shamrocks, Shannon Rangers and St. Kierans. In Group 2 we have Dingle, East Kerry, Kerins O’Rahillys and Spa and in Group 4 we have Feale Rangers, South Kerry, St. Brendans and Templenoe. The top two teams in each Group will qualify for the quarter finals which will be knock-out from then on.
B FOOTBALL: Rathmore 4-11 (23); Austin Stacks 1-17. (20).
On a rather damp and sometimes breezy Friday evening (2ndSept) in Rathmore both sides dominated at times in this opening round of the Molyneaux Cup (the B team Co. Championship) with the home side having three points to spare at the end of this high-scoring, entertaining game.
We opened the scoring inside the first minute with a Donagh McKivergan point from a free after good work by Daniel O’Rourke and Gearóid Sheehan. Rathmore then added four unanswered points during the next six minutes before brilliant work by David Fitzmaurice found Calvin Foley who scored what turned out to be our only goal of the game. Rathmore dominated the remainder of the half scoring 2-4 to our four points – two by Conor Myers and one each by Dean Rusk and a Donagh McKivergan free. This left us five points in arrears at the break (2-8 to 1-6).
In the opening eleven minutes of the second half we were in total domination, turning that five points deficit into a three points lead (1-14 to 2-8) – four coming from Conor Myers (two frees), two by Calvin Foley and one each by David Fitzmaurice and Donagh McKivergan. But the old cliché that goals wins matches came into to play in the final quarter when Rathmore outscored us by 2-3 to 0-3 – our three coming from Calvin Foley (2) and DanielO’Rourke
So we now have to go to the Shield semi final to be played on the next Friday (9th Sept) against a team to be announced.
Team: Paul Barrett, Cian Dillane, John Murphy, Luke Chester, Greg Scanlon, Ciarán O’Connell, Andrew Morrissey, Dean Rusk (0-1), David Fitzmaurice (0-1), Daniel O’Rourke (0-1), Gearóid Sheehan, Shane Bastible, Donagh McKivergan (0-3 – two frees), Calvin Foley (1-5), Conor Myers (0-6 –three frees).
THE C TEAM: Austin Stacks 1-8; Ballydonoghue 1-5.
A superb performance by each and everyone of the 20 players who contributed to our 3 point win over Ballydonoghue B. From the throw in Darragh Moriarty, James Charles and David Courtney were on fire in the full forward line, while half forwards Dean Scanlon, Joe Kinsella and Evan Foley ran and linked up tirelessly. Mid field led by captain Billy Stack and Gearóid Kilgallen never stopped for the 60+ minutes.
In defence, leading by example were Conor Lowe ably assisted either side on half back line by Tom McLoughlin and Jack Doyle, while guarding our excellent vice captain and goalie Brian Ó Hargàin was a full backline led by Shane Greensmyth, Anthony Moynihan and “OUR”, Celsius Menswear Man Of The Match performance of Shane Kelliher.
Off the bench, making huge impacts were Seamus Bastible, Craig Teahan Kyle Fitzgibbon, Ger Teahon and Brian O’ Sullivan. Each and everyone left it all on the field. congratulations and well done lads.
After the game Shane Kelliher was presented with the Celsius Menswear MOTM Award.
Team: Brian Horgan, Shane Kelliher, Shane Greensmyth, Anthony Moynihan, Jack Doyle, Conor Lowe, Tom Mc Loughlin, Billy Stack (Capt). Gearoid Killgallon (0-1), Evan Foley, Joey Kinsella (0-1), Dean Scanlon, Darragh Moriarty (0-2) , Jimmy Charles (1-1) & David Courtney (0-2).
Subs used: Kyle Fitzgibbon, Ger Teahan (0-1), Craig Tehan, Seamus Bastible, Anthony Moynihan.
The semi finals are scheduled for this Friday (9th Sept) but no details have come to hand as we write
Thanks to Kevin O’Carroll for the above Report.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Rathmore 0-14; Austin Stacks 1-17 (aet).
After what turned out to be a pulsating game that went to extra time this first round (quarter final) of the newly created Minor Club Championship, played in Rathmore on Saturday evening(3rd Sept), eventually went our way after the home side put up a sterling performance, especially during the second half of normal time and the first half of extra time. We looked well in control during the first half of the game when we led by six points to three – Paddy Lane on target three times – the opener from a forty five in the eight minute with two by Ronan Carroll and one from Ryan O’Driscoll.
The home side opened the second half with a point straight from the throw-in. We then added three more in quick succession, the first by Damien Hogan and two by Paddy Lane, one from a free. Rathmore then dominated the play during the next ten minutes, scoring five points without reply to draw level for the first time in the game on nine points each half way through the second half. Both sides then scored four points each during the final 15 minutes to bring the game to extra time (13 pts each). Paddy Lane was again the dominant figure for us scoring a further three points with one from Ronan Carroll.
Both sides had a point each during the first half of extra time – ours from Ryan O’Driscoll. That was as good as it got, however, for the home side as we dominated the final quarter, scoring a further 1-3 (all by Man of the Match, Paddy Lane) to no score for the opposition. This was a real team performance by our boys, including the subs who were introduced and we would hardly have won the game except for at least two stunning saves by Michael Tansley at crucial periods during the game.
Team: Michael Tansley, Seán Moynihan, Colm Browne, James Fisher, Pádraig O’Halloran, Luke Casey (Capt), Seán Heaslip, Daniel Kirby, Ben Murphy, Thomas Deregee, Ronan Carroll (0-3), Ryan O’Driscoll (0-2), Noah Townsend, Paddy Lane (1-11 – four frees, one 45), Damien Hogan (0-1). Subs used: Jack Murphy (ht), Marc Carmody (39m), David Lucid (55m), Aaron Nolan (55m), Gavin Casey (65m).
The two semi finals take place on this coming Saturday (10thSept) at 4pm. We have a home game against Dr. Crokes with Laune Rangers at home to Keel/Listry in the other semi final.
LEE STRAND/DENIS O’CONNOR TOURNAMENT: The inclement weather on Saturday morning and early afternoon played havoc with the start of the Tournament but when it eventually got going in the afternoon and evening it turned out to be another outstanding success. As usual see our Juvenile Notes for full details. One noteable item needs mentioning as we haven’t heard it happening before in the 36 years since the first tournament started in 1986. A prominent GAA man, Christy Murphy former Chairman and current member of St. Pats (Blennerville) GAA Club had three grandsons playing in this year’s Tournament for three different Clubs. Darragh (son of Seamus) was playing with Grandad’s own Club (St. Pats), Rory (son of Fiona) was playing with Nemo Rangers and Eoghan (son of Ciarán) was playing with The Rock.
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.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently: Margaret (Maggie) O’Flaherty, Doon; Stacey Moroney, Rath Óraig and formerly Balloonagh; Maureen Connor (nee Mulvey), Caherslee and formerly Ballinamore (Leitrim); Ahmed Abdulsalam, An Cillín, Killeen Rd. and formerly Jerusalem; and Edward (Eddie) Moroney, Tobar Naofa and formerly Balloonagh.
