AGM: The Club AGM went off like clockwork last Friday night (4th Dec) under the capable stewardship of Vice Chairman, Liam Lynch. All current officers were re-elected, bar Brian Caball, who has stepped down from Scór Officer, a position he has held from time immemorial – well from 1978 to be precise (the position is to be filled at a later date).
Club Chairman, Aidan O’Connor, welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave a summary of all that transpired during the year, thanking mentors, players, supporters, workers and all our generous sponsors and fundraisers. Club Secretary, Elma Nix was complimented on her comprehensive Report covering all aspects of Club activity. Finally Club Treasurer, Mike Kenny outlined a very positive Financial Report. Mike and his fellow Treasurer, Bernie Mannix, were also complimented for their astute management of Club finances which had included some major expenditure projects over the past few years.
HURLING: Shanballymore (Cork) 5-29; Austin Stacks 1-6.
Physically stronger and playing two grades above us until recently, this Cork outfit were deserving winners of this Munster JH ‘B’ quarter final played at an excellent Killeedy pitch at Raheenagh (West Limerick) on yesterday afternoon (6th Dec).
On an ideal day for Hurling, Shan bally led at half time by 3-18 to 0-4 – all our scores coming from the accuracy of Colm Ó Giollagáin – three from well-taken frees.
We had a good start to the second half. A long free by Colm landed in the square and Peter Doyle finished the breaking ball to the net, inside the first minute. However, Shanbally upped the ante again, scoring a further 2-11 in the second period. Our remaining two scores of the half came from Ciarán Breen from play and another pointed free by Colm.
It didn’t help our cause to be missing a few first choice players through injuries, including Danny Maguire, Paul Daly, Michael O’Leary and John McCarthy. But, based on this display, the Cork boys will take some beating in the rest of the competition and we wish them well as they progress. It was good to see Seán King back on duty again after being unavoidably absent for a lot of the season.
Team: Ronan Gilsenan, Kevin O’Leary, Peter O’Regan, Seán King, Paudie Bradley, Joe Brennan, Andrew Morrissey (Capt), Kieran McCaughley, Andrew Foley, Breandán Caball, Seán Hartnett, Ciarán Breen (0-1), Terry Desmond, Colm Ó Giollagáin (0-5 – 4 frees), Peter Doyle (1-0).
Subs used: Tadgh Meehan (ht), Ross Long (46m), John Connelly (52m), Ger Scollard (52m).
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-12; Killarney Legion 0-7.
Billed originally for Milltown, then switched to Lewis Road, this Co. League play-off (essentially a Co. League semi final) finally ended up in Fitzgerald Stadium on yesterday afternoon (6th Dec) – all this caused by the adverse weather conditions of the previous 48 hours.
Even though no more than three points separated the sides for the first 50 minutes or so (we led at half time by 0-6 to 0-3 and led by 0-9 to 0-7 with about ten minutes of the game remaining) we never really looked in danger of losing this one. Legion were missing some first choice players, including James O’Donoghue – we wish James all the best as he under goes some necessary surgery in the new year – and their availability would have made for a more even finish at least.
David Mannix put us ahead in the first minute from a free after a foul on Shane O’Callaghan and David also added the last point of the half from play. In between our other four points of the half came from Fiachna Mangan, on target twice, and one each by Kieran Donaghy and Shane Carroll.
Legion shaded the first 20 minutes of the second half, scoring four points to our three, to reduce the deficit to two (0-9 to 0-7) – our three points coming from Shane Carroll, Fiachna Mangan and David Mannix.
But that was as close as the Killarney boys got, as we dominated the remainder of the game with points by Shane O’Callaghan (2 – one from a free) and Darragh O’Brien, with Darragh also on hand to score the only goal of the game as full time approached.
So now it’s on to meet Dr. Crokes in the final, a repeat of last year’s encounter. We understand that this game will go into next season, as did the 2014 Final.
Our thanks to Tim Slattery who provided the details for this report and to John Joe Sugrue for doing the necessary at the game.
Team: Darragh O’Brien, Barry Walsh, Barry Shanahan, Jack O’Shea, Denis McElligott, Fearghal Mac Namara (Capt), Ciarán O’Connell, Wayne Guthrie, Kieran Donaghy (0-1), Shane Carroll 0-2), Fiachna Mangan (0-3), Pa McCarthy, David Mannix (0-3 – one free), Shane O’Callaghan (0-2 – one free), Greg Horan.
Subs used: Conor Jordan, Mikey Collins, Seán Ryan and Darragh O’Brien (1-1).
We now have one more game to play before this long, long season comes to an end, and that’s our vital Co. Championship relegation play-off, against Laune Rangers, which is fixed for next Saturday (12th Dec) at Lewis Road with a 1.45pm throw-in. We wish the whole squad and management team the best of luck in this encounter.
U21 FOOTBALL: The U21F Co. Club Final (Shield Section) between ourselves and Templenoe has been fixed for Saturday week (19th Dec). Venue still to be confirmed as we write. Let us take this opportunity to congratulate Templenoe on their victory in the Munster JF Final last Sunday. They had a huge win (2-17 to 0-3) over the Clare Champions, Coolmeen.
MINOR FOOTBALL: We still await a date for our Minor Central League semi final tie away to An Ghaeltacht. Dingle will play the winners in the Final.
SCÓR SINSIR: Senior Scór will commence in early January. Anyone who can dance, sing, act and play music, and who is 17 years of age or over (from 1st January 2016), will be eligible to participate.
The first round competitions, to be held in Tralee in early January, are: Set Dance (two parts), Figure Dance, Ballad Group, Music Group, Historical Presentation (Sketch), Solo Singer, Reciter and Table Quiz (team of 4).
SPORTS FORECAST: Club Treasurer, Mike Kenny, informs us that the 2015 Sports Forecast winners were – 1st Ronan Kavanagh 108 pts; 2nd John O’Connell, c/o Aidan 105 pts and 3rd Paudie McQuinn 104 pts. Congratulations and well done boys.
WELL DONE: also to former Club Chairman and current Co. Board Delegate, Jim Naughton, on his success on the RTE TV’s Winning Streak Programme last Saturday night. Jim was well supported by family and friends from the Club and the wider community and, even though he didn’t get to spin the wheel he still came away with €12k in cash and a car worth €25k. Well done again Jim.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Club Footballer, Darragh Long and his wife, Niamh, on the birth, last week, of a baby boy, a grandson for former Club Chairman, Denny, and his wife Joan.
Likewise, congratulation to Tara Quirke, of our Bar Staff, and her husband David O’Brien, on the recent birth of a baby girl, Lauren.
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 (30th Nov) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 1, 2, 10 and 11.
The €20 Winners were: Ryan Fealy and Conor Linnane & Joe Smith, both c/o Carmel O’Neill; John O’Connor, c/o Richard Healy; Danny Walsh, c/o John O’Riordan; and Pat & Eileen Finn, c/o Club Rockies.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Peadar Cremin, Adare and late of Brewery Road; and Jason Breen, Rahoonane.
