Austin Stacks GAA Club News

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Austin Stacks CrestSENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-9; Dingle 0-11.

We qualified for our first Club Championship Final since 2003 in as dramatic a fashion as one could witness, in Annascaul on last Saturday evening (30th April). A point for Dingle in the 51st minute put them two up, and 15 minute had elapsed without a score when in one last attack in the 66th minute saw the ball won in the square by Kieran Donaghy.

Surrounded by what looked like the whole 15 members of the opposition he somehow got his shot in, and in a total scramble one of our lads (some say Pa McCarthy, others claim it was Shane O’Callaghan) steered the ball over the line for the winner.

There was even drama before the throw-in, as Star failed to start after tweaking an injury. Then in the 2nd minute of play Greg Horan picked up a knee injury and had to be stretchered off.

We settled well after that but almost nine minutes had elapsed before the first score of the game – a lovely point by Fiachna Mangan after good work by Shane Carroll and David Mannix.

We added three more in quick succession with David Mannix, Brían Mangan and Wayne Guthrie all on target from play. That’s how it stood at the end of the first quarter  – four points to nil.

Dingle’s first score came in the 19th minute and then they went on to repeat what we did early on – adding another three points, to level matters after 26 minutes. A few minutes before that they could have been further ahead but for a brilliant save by Darragh O’Brien.

In the closing minutes of the half we added two more points, with the two Shane’s on target (Carroll and O’Callaghan) while Dingle adding one, to leave us ahead by the minimum at half time (0-6 to 0-5).

Thirteen minutes into the second half the sides were level for the 5th time (0-8 each). Our two came from Jack O’Shea in the 36thminute, after a perfect pass from Brían Mangan, and from a David Mannix free in the 42nd minute.

Then Dingle began to dominate – taking the lead for the first time in the 46th minute and going two points up just a minute later. Both sides then swapped points – ours coming from Pa McCarthy –  which left Dingle still ahead by those two points (0-11 to 0-9) before that dramatic finish as described at the beginning.

Team: Darragh O’Brien, Colin Griffin, Conor Jordan, Denis McElligott, Pa McCarthy (1-1), Fearghal McNamara, Jack O’Shea (0-1), Wayne Guthrie (Capt) (0-1), Brían Mangan (0-1), Fiachna Mangan (0-1), Greg Horan, Shane Carroll (0-1), David Mannix (0-2 – one free), Michael O’Donnell, Shane O’Callaghan (0-1).

Subs used: David O’Sullivan (4m), Jack Morgan (37m), Alan Nestor (42m), Barry Shanahan (43m), Kieran Donaghy (50m), John Dennis (51m).

It was good to see both Jack Morgan and John Dennis making their first appearances of the season. Also we all wish Greg a full and speedy recovery from that early injury.

So now it’s on to meet Dr. Crokes in the Final after they overcame neighbors, Killarney Legion by 0-12 to 0-7 in their semi final bout. No date has been fixed for this final as we write.

MINOR FOOTBALL: Dr. Crokes 2-18; Austin Stacks 2-16 (aet).

This Co. League (Div1) Final, played at a cold, sunny and breezy Austin Stack Park on last Friday evening (29th April), had to go to extra time after the sides were deadlocked on 2-14 each following a pulsating 60 minutes of football that had almost everything.

Even though we played with the aid of the strong wind in the first half we still had only a one point lead at half time (0-8 to 0-7). Three of those points came from play – Ferdia O’Brien, Doanagh McKivergan and Joseph O’Connor. Ferdia also put over four frees and Donagh added one from a well-taken 45.

The wind was still a factor in the second half but that didn’t stop us from going into a nine points lead in the space of eight minutes – a point each from Ferdia (free) and Cian Liston and then two splendid goals by Donagh McKivergan and Joseph O’Connor. After that, very few would have predicted what happened in the next 14 minutes. But between the 38th and 52nd minutes Crokes went on to score 2-7, while our only contribution was a 45th minute point by Philip Quilter. That onslaught put them three clear (2-14 to 2-11) and it looked all over at that stage.

However, credit to our lads who fought back in the closing minutes, with three great points – one from Cian Liston and two by Fergal Ryan – to level the game and sent it to extra time.

Both sides had given their all at that stage and in the 20 minutes of additional time Crokes just edged it – scoring four points to our two – Ferdia scoring both (one from a free). In one final attack Cian Liston was unlucky to see his shot for goal blocked away.

A narrow defeat is always hard to take but our lads should be very proud of their performance and of the progress made during the course of League campaign which was added to by their brilliant team of Mentors – Wayne Quillinan, John O’Sullivan, Eoin Colgan, Jonathan Conway and Kieran O’Callaghan.

Robbie Murphy was outstanding again in goals, making at least four point-blank saves. His three front men – Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey and team captain, Brandon Patterson – have had a great season so far. Dylan is still an under 16 player – in fact he won’t be 16 until next July. The half back line of Tomás Sheehy, Ciarán O’Reilly and Odhran Liston set up attack after attack. Philip Quilter and David Fitzmaurice are two of the most consistent midfielders performing at present.

Of our six starting forwards only Ferdia O’Brien is on the Kerry Minor team. Ferdia is our chief scorer so far this season (4-39), with Donagh McKivergan next on 1-18. Cian Liston then comes in next on 4-4.

Fergal Ryan’s (1-12) incisive runs all evening will always produce scores as will the work-rate of Michael Linnane. And the contribution made by Joseph O’Connor in his three games to date cannot be overlooked, mostly playing around the centre but also popping up close in with 1-1 to his credit last evening.

And the three subs used – Conor Lowe, Shane Walsh (just back from injury) and Harry O’Callaghan made a significant contribution when introduced as did the extended panel of players all season.

Of the 18 who played in this game only 5 will be over age for next season, so a lot to look forward to from this panel.

Team: Robbie Murphy, Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey, Brandon Patterson (Capt), Tomás Sheehy, Ciarán O’Reilly, Odhran Liston, Philip Quilter (0-1) , David Fitzmaurice, Donagh McKivergan (1-2 – one 45)), Fergal Ryan (0-2), Michael Linnane, Cian Liston (0-2), Joseph O’Connor (1-1), Ferdia O’Brien (0-8 –6 frees).

Subs used: Conor Lowe (47m), Shane Walsh (49m), Harry O’Callaghan (68m).

MINOR FOOTBALL: Na Gaeil 2-3; Austin Stacks 3-14.

Less than 40 hours after coming off the pitch in Austin Stack Park on Friday evening our Minors were back in action again in Killeen on yesterday afternoon (1st May) to play in the postponed round 2 game of the Town League.

We led by 2-6 to 1-2 at the break. Our two goals came in quick succession mid way through the half from Ciaran O’Reilly and Fergal Ryan. Fergal also contributed to our six points tally in this half, putting over two. Harry O’Callaghan also pointed two (one from a free) while the other two came from wing back, Conor Lowe and a lovely effort by Jason Roche.

Even though playing against the strong breeze in the second half, we continued to outscore our opponents by 1-8 to 1-1. Our goal came in the 51st minute and again it was Ciaran O’Reilly who started the move with a good run up-field, linking well with Harry whose perfect pass was put away beautifully by Cian Liston. Earlier in the half Cian also scored three points. Fergal also popped over three.

David Fitzmaurice and Harry O’Callaghan scored our other two points in this half, which meant that all but one of our 3 goals and 14 points came from play. Both Alan Dore and Odhran Liston, when introduced in the second half, also performed well. The win puts us into yet another final and we await a date for this as we write.

Team: Simon Draghici, Tomás Sheehy, Brandon Patterson (Capt), Shane Walsh, Conor Lowe (0-1), Ciaran O’Reilly (1-0), No Left Back, Joseph O’Connor, David Fitzmaurice (0-1), No Right Forward, Fergal Ryan (1-5), Jason Roche (0-1), Philip Quilter, Cian Liston (1-3), Harry O’Callaghan (0-3 – one free).

Subs used: Alan Dore (40m), Odhran Liston (52m).

SENIOR HURLING: We are due to play Dr. Crokes in round 2 of the South Kerry League (we had a bye in round 1) in Connolly Park (Main Pitch), on this Monday evening (2nd May). Throw in at 7pm.

Then on Wednesday evening (4th May) we are due to travel to Fossa to play St. Pats in round 3 of the competition, also with a 7pm start. Keep in touch with the Club Website in case of any changes

CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings, phone Maurice McNamara at 086 3747 642.

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

LOTTO: Last week’s (25th April) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 13, 25, 31.

The €20 Winners were: N&D Ashe, c/o The Bingo; Sarah O’Riordan, c/o John O’Riordan; Brendan O’Regan, c/o The Club; and Pauline and Helen Foran, both c/o Carmel O’Neill.

SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Maura Breen (nee Murphy), Pluckeen, Caherslee (wife of former Club Footballer, Maurice ‘Monny’ Breen); Tom O’Driscoll, London and late of Buttevant and Alderwood Road; Ciara Foley, Knochanish; Kay (Catherine) Deane (nee Madden), Coolnadead, Ballymacelligott and late of Madden’s Shop, Milk Market Lane; and Kathleen O’Mahony (nee Lucey), Mitchel’s Court.

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