Austin Stacks GAA Club News

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Austin StacksSENIOR HURLING: Our Hurlers, in preparation for the new season, are currently seeking new recruits for the Senior squad. Anyone who is free and interested in joining may leave a message on our Hurling Facebook page.

SCÓR SINSIR:

Scór Officer Brian Caball informs us that Senior Scór for the Greater Tralee Area will take place on Wednesday week (11th Feb) in Cill Dubh in the north-western part of Ballymac Parish.

MINOR FOOTBALL:

Austin Stacks 3-19; Ballymac 3-9.
Our Minors got their season off to a winning start in Ballymac on Sunday (1st Feb) with a good work-out against an under strength home side in round 1 of the Town League. With the agreement of all the game was played with 13 a side. We led by 1-8 to 0-2 at half time.

Again, with the agreement of all, team mentors Gene O’Donnell, Brian Morgan, Eamon O’Reilly and John O’Sullivan were able to use and re-use all our subs during the second half. We just edged that half – scoring 2-11 to 3-7. In all, ten players got on the score sheet and nine players were making their Minor debuts, including two 16 years olds, Ciarán O’Reilly and Shane Walsh. The other seven debutants were Brandon Patterson, Seán Tansley, Philip Quilter, Cian Liston, Mikey Kenny, Adam Buckley and Rory Forbes.Team: Daniel Kinsella, Dylan Hennebery, Colin Griffin (Capt) (0-2), No left corner back, Brandon Patterson, Seán Tansley, Philip Quilter (0-2), Calvin Foley (0-1), Jack O’Shea (0-1), Louis Ryle (1-0), Ferdia O’Brien (1-5 – one free), Darren Bastible (0-5), No right corner forward. Seán Dukes (0-1), Cian Liston (1-0).

Subs used: Shane O’Neill (0-2) (22m), Michael Kenny (22m), Adam Buckley (ht), Rory Forbes (ht), Darragh Scanlon (ht), Ciarán O’Reilly (45m), Shane Walsh (45m).

Round 2, against Na Gaeil, is due to go ahead in Connolly Park on next Sunday (8th Feb) with a 12 noon start, with the 3rd and final round away to Kerins O’Rahillys on Saturday week, 14th Feb. The top two teams qualify for the Final on a date to be fixed.

The Co. League then starts the following weekend when we travel to Collard to play newcomers to Division 1, Ballydonoghue . The game is fixed for Saturday, 21st Feb. at 4pm. In R2 we have a home game against Spa (7th March); R3 away to Dingle (14th March); R4 at home to Kerins O’Rahillys on Good Friday, 3rd April and the 5th and final round at home to Dr. Crokes (17th April).

TRIP TO LAOIS: The Countdown is on for our Club’s biggest game in 38 years – our All Ireland Semi Final game in Portlaoise. Supporters buses departing from Club at 10.30am on match day (Feb 15th) and returning 30 minutes after final whistle directly to Club. All Seats €10. Bookings taken at the club bar any evening after 7pm.

CORPORATE LUNCH: The fundraising luncheon at Ballygarry House Hotel was a resounding success, with 530 patrons, initially enjoying a Jazz and Champagne Cocktail Reception. When everyone was seated Club Vice-Chairman, Liam Lynch welcomed the gathering and spoke of the club’s fundraising initiative to develop the second pitch – ‘The Nuns Field’ – in Connolly Park.
An introductory clip of Rory Kirby’s MacNamee Award winning “Rockumentary” was shown, with M.C. Eoin McDevitt of ‘Second Captains’ conducted an interview with Kieran Donaghy, discussing the background to what is now the Kieran’s infamous line on winning the All-Ireland “now what do you think of that, Joe Brolly?”, which was the cue for the Derry man himself to enter the room and turn the tables on Star! It was a very well executed surprise and went down a bomb with all present!
During the course of the meal, the club’s player employment initiative “Jobmatch” was explained to prospective employers present. This initiative will link employers who have vacancies with club members, including players, who are looking for work – keeping local GAA players and members employed locally.

Eoin McDevitt conducted brief entertaining interviews from the floor with Stephen Stack, Dinny Allen, Mick O’Dwyer, John O’Keeffe, William Kirby and Club Chairman, Aidan O’Connor.

Following the meal there was a very entertaining panel discussion on stage, with Eoin McDevitt interviewing Ger Power, Mick Galway, Micheal O Muircheartaigh, Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston, Tomas O Se and Joe Brolly. The panel were introduced by Jerry Grogan, the voice of Croke Park, and a native of Cahersiveen.

The raffle prizes were announced, the first prize was the actual no. 14 jersey worn by Kieran Donaghy in the 2014 All-Ireland Final, signed and framed. It was won by John Moriarty.

All in all, an unforgettable occasion with Austin Stacks looking forward to the All-Ireland Club Football semi-final against Slaughneil of Derry in Portlaoise on 15th February. Thanks especially to the organising committee of Siobhan Naughton, Frank Stephenson, JP Brick, Ger O’Keeffe, Colin Teahon and Liam Lynch on a job very well done, and to Ballygarry House Hotel for the excellent meal and their professionalism.

Our thanks to Adrienne McLoughlin for the above Report and also for her usual brilliant photography of the event which can be viewed on our Website.

DEFIBRILLATOR: Congratulations to the 15 Club members (a mix of players, coaches & officers) who completed a CPR/Defibrillator course last week. Our thanks to Tralee Civil Defence who facilitated the training over two evenings and to our Health & Wellbeing Officer, Carmel O’Neill who organized the course. The Club will run another such course later in the year.

GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIPS: Applications are now invited for the GAA Gaeltacht Summer Courses Scholarship Fund 2015. Applications are open to Boys & Girls. The applicant must be a registered playing member of the Austin Stacks GAA club. Please text your child’s name, address, age and school to our Cultural Officer: Brian Caball on 087 6606693 . Closing date for applications is February 28th, 2015.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: to Joe O’Mahony, former Club official and footballer and current Head of Sport at Radio Kerry who celebrated his 40th birthday last week (27th Jan).

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

CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. Phone Ian from 7pm at 066 7126942 for bookings.

CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday nights commencing at 9.30pm.

LOTTO: Last Monday’s (26th Jan) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 4, 18, 28, 29.
The €20 Prizes went to Joe Donovan, Lisa Kerins and Robert Foran, all c/o Carmel O’Neill; Sonny Healy, c/o Charlie Healy and Peter O’Regan, c/o Brendan O’Regan.

SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Teresa O’Sullivan, Strand Street; John Hanafin, Kerins Park; Sister Basil Hickey, Mercy Convent, Balloonagh and late of Portarlington; Betty O’Halloran (nee Walsh), Knockmoyle and late of Ballybunion; and Edward (Eddie) O’Connor, Ballinteer (Dublin) and late of Baltovin, Ardfert (dearthar, Seán Seosamh Ó Conchubhair, Páirc Na Darach).

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