SENIOR FOOTBALL: All is now in readiness for our trip to Portlaoise on this coming Sunday (15th Feb) to play Slaughtneil (Derry) in the semi final of the All Ireland SF Club Championship. Throw in 4pm. Best of luck to the whole squad and Management team.
Supporters’ buses depart the Club at 10.30am on Sunday and return 30 minutes after final whistle directly to Club. All Seats €10. Bookings can still be made at the Club Bar any evening after 7pm.
BEST OF LUCK: also to Ardfert and Brosna, who already have gone one step further than our lads as they bid for All Ireland glory next Saturday in Croke Park in the Intermediate and Junior Championship Finals.
OUR OTHER SEMI FINAL: Austin Stacks 1-14; Portlaoise 2-6.
Our only other All Ireland semi final appearance also took place in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise on Sunday, 20th February 1977 with the home Club the opposition – almost 38 years to the day.
The game, played in heavy underfoot conditions, was touch and go right up to the final minutes. We trailed by one point at half time (1-3 to 0-5), after conceding a 20th minute goal.
We went behind again in the 43rd minute when the Laois side scored their 2nd goal and after rallying somewhat, with points from Mikey Sheehy, the sides were level for the 5th time in the game with five minutes remaining. Then Paudie McCarthy, who had just come on as a sub, put us back in the lead, and in the last minute of normal time up steps Timmy Sheehan to score our only goal of the game and give our travelling supporters some welcome relief for the first time since the throw-in. Paudie added a final point seconds later to leave us with a five points winning margin at the end.
Team: Teddy Brick, Garry Scollard (RIP), Noel Power, Paul Lucey, Fintan Lawlor, Tony O’Keeffe, Ger Power, John O’Keeffe (Capt) (0-1), Ger O’Keeffe, Colm Mangan (0-1), Denny Long (0-1 free), Timmy Sheehan (1-0), Jackie Power, Billy Curtin, Mikey Sheehy (0-9 – 6 frees; 1 fifty).
Subs used: Paudie McCarthy (0-2), Fionán Ryan.
Rest of Panel: Aidan O’Connor, Paddy Whack Moriarty, John L.McElligott and Mike Culloty.
And the connections between that day and today’s team. Paul Lucey, wearing number 4 that day 38 years ago, will be on the line next Sunday as part of Stephen Stack’s Management team, as will current Chairman, Aidan O’Connor who played in the first game of that 1976/77 season against Croom. Three other players who lined out in 1977 will see their sons involved the next day. Colm Mangan (sons Fiachna and Brían) wore No 10 in 1977 and scored a point in that semi final. Denny Long (son Darragh) was centre forward in 1977 and also got on the score sheet and Fionan Ryan (son Seán) came on as a sub that day. And finally Tony and Ger O’Keeffe will have nephew, Paul Galvin on the squad.
MEMBERSHIP 2015: is now due. Anybody wishing to pay their membership may do so by contacting Bernie 086 0767415, Mairead 087 2941470 or online at austinstacks.ie. Membership forms also available in club bar.
SENIOR HURLING: Our Hurlers, in preparation for the new season, are currently seeking new recruits for the Senior squad. Anyone who is currently free and interested in joining may leave a message on our Hurling Facebook page.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Our round 2 tie of the Town League, against Na Gaeil, did not go ahead as scheduled last Sunday. It has now been refixed for Saturday, 28th February. Before that we are due to play Kerins O’Rahillys in round 3 of the competition on this Saturday (14th Feb) at 12 noon in Strand Road.
The Co. League is due to start 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.
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 each night.
LOTTO: Last Monday’s (2nd Feb) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 18, 20, 27.
The €20 Prizes went to Betty Moriarty, c/o Charlie Healy; Declan Corcoran and Tim Foley, both c/o Carmel Quilter; Jim Gannon, c/o Club Rockies; and Brian Neenan, c/o The Club.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Breda Murhill, Muckross and late of Abbey Court; Dan Dunne, Castleisland and late of Ballinorig Close; Mary Ellen Brosnan, St. Brendan’s Park and late of Currans; Bernard O’Dowd, Ballinorig and late of London; Sarah Houlihan (nee Quigley), Derrylea and late of Rae Street Bungalows; Eileen Lynch (nee McKenna), Woodlawn, Killeen Road, Oakpark and late of Castlerosse Terrace, Killarney; Frankie Tarrant (nee Ashe), Cluain Dara; John Barrett, Oak Park Demesne and late of Ardmeelode, Milltown; and Margaret Maeve O’Brien (nee Galvin), Railway Terrace (grandmother of former Club Footballer, Maurice O’Brien).
