SENIOR FOOTBALL
Austin Stacks 3-13;
Castleisland Desmonds 1-6.
In this round 8 of the Co. League played at a damp Connolly Park on last Saturday evening (16th July) we went into an early four points lead by the 17th minute. Two David Mannix frees and one each from play by Darragh O’Brien and Shane O’Callaghan were our scores. But in the space of two minutes we were rocked back on our heels when Desmonds were back on level terms with a pointed free and an opportunist goal.
Three more points in the closing minutes of the half (to two for Desmonds) saw us just one ahead at the break (0-7 to 1-3). David (from a free) and Darragh from play were on target again with the third point coming from Conor Jordan.
In the first 17 minutes of the first half we scored four points. In the first 17 minutes of the second half we did even better, scoring 1-4. Our points came from Shane O’Callaghan (3) and Wayne Guthrie and the goal (in the 37th minute) from Darragh O’Brien.
Twenty two minutes had elapsed when Desmonds got their first score of this half and a minute later they added another point. Then they added a third in between two of our best points of the game.
The first of those points came in the 54th minute from an excellent effort by Conor Jordan when, from an acute angle, he lofted over a left-legged beauty after receiving a perfect ball in from Denis O’Neill. Two minutes later David Mannix lofted over a similar beauty with his right, also from an acute angle. This left us seven clear (1-13 to 1-6) as we entered the closing stages.
But the best was yet to come. Seán Dukes came on as a sub in the 58th minute and before the clock had reached the 60th minute he had bagged two goals. The first came after good work by Sean Ryan and Darragh O’Brien and the second he tapped in from a Shane O’Callaghan cross. And this has to be a record never achieved before in any game. This was nothing new to Seán, of course.
We remember, three years ago, when he came on as a 16 year old sub in the 2013 MF Co. League Final. That day, in Annascaul, he came on in the 53rd minute, and after 4 minutes on the pitch he put away the winning goal to secure the League title against An Ghaeltacht.
The winning margin does not do justice to the performance of the visitors. For example they could have been a goal up after just 30 seconds of play, but for a brilliant save by Barry Walsh. Shane Guthrie, in particular, was another man who won many of the kick-outs. Good also to see Fearghal MacNamara and Ronan Shanahan back in the fold after a short absence.
And we all wish Brían Mangan a full and speedy recovery after the hand injury he picked up recently.
Team: Darragh O’Brien, Barry Walsh, Conor Jordan (0-2), John Dennis, Fearghal MacNamara, Barry Shanahan, Seán Ryan, Wayne Guthrie (0-1), Shane Guthrie, Pa McCarthy, Shane O’Callaghan (0-4), Fiachna Mangan, David Mannix (0-4 –32 frees), Michael Collins, Darragh O’Brien (1-2).
Subs used: Alan Nestor (ht), Denis O’Neill (48m), Seán Dukes (58m) (2-0).
SF FIXTURES: Sun 24th July at 2pm Co. League R9 away to John Mitchels; Fri 29th July at 7.15 Town League R2 at home to Na Gaeil; Sat 6th Aug at7pm Co. League R5 at home to Kerins O’Rahilly; w/e 14th Aug Co. League R10 at home to Kilcummin.
CO. CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW: We have drawn Kenmare District in the Qr. Final of the Co. Championship. This will be our 10th meeting in the competition. Of the nine games contested so far we are just shading it with five wins to four for Kenmare. We were firm favourites to win our very first outing – the 1952 semi final in Austin Stack Park- but we lost that one by two points (3-2 to 2-3). We also lost our very last meeting – a round 3 game down in Kenmare in October 2008 – two points also the margin on that occasion (0-15 to 1-10).
BEST OF LUCK: to Michael O’Donnell and his Kerry JF colleagues when they play Lancashire in Manchester on next Saturday (23rd July) at 2pm in the All Ireland semi final. The winners will face either Mayo or Wexford in the All Ireland Final on Saturday, 6th August.
B FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 4-8; John Mitchels 0-11.
Our B team made it two wins out of two in this Town League game played at Connolly Park on last Monday week (11th July) with nine points to spare at the end of a very entertaining game. If Ferdia O’Brien could do it for the Minors the previous (scoring 3-6) then Alan Nestor repeated that performance in this game. He started at full forward and had already scored 2-4 by the 15th minute of the first half.
But when our two starting midfield men, Brían Mangan and William Kirby had to retire before half time due to injuries, Alan was moved to shore up the centre. Despite this he scored a further 1-2 in the second half after we led at half time by 2-6 to 0-5.
Team: Seamus Bastible (Capt), Eoghan McKivergan, Denis O’Neill, John Dennis, Darragh Scanlon, Ciarán O’Connell, Andrew Morrissey, Brían Mangan, William Kirby, Jessie O’Sullivan, Seán Dukes, Louis Ryle (0-1), Danny Carroll (1-0), Alan Nestor (3-6), Dale Counihan (0-1).
Subs used: Niall Carroll-Cane (9m), Seán Fitzmaurice (24m), Shane Crowley (26m), Paul Galvin (ht), Alan Griffin (50m).
B FOOTBALL: Knocknagoshel 0-9; Austin Stacks 0-13.
Our B Team’s visit to Knocknagoshel on yesterday afternoon (17th July) yielded their 3rd Co. League victory of the season in this round 8 encounter. We were never behind in this game and for most of the hour no more than three points separated the sides. But we did have the edge all over the pitch with all our six forwards, for example, getting on the score sheet in the first half, at the end of which we led by three (0-7 to 0-4)
The home side had a very good start to the second half and by the 10th minute had drawn level with three unanswered points. The introduction of the inspirational John Dennis two minutes later settled our side again, and between then and the final whistle we put over six more points, while holding the opposition to just two more. The first of our second half points came in the 44th minute when Eoin Galvin put over.
Good to see Eoin back again after that injury he picked up out in Ballylongford in mid April. Another point came from mid-fielder, Denis O’Neill, but the man that really stole the show in this half was the elusive Dale Counihan who really gave a Man of the Match performance, scoring four great points (three from play) to add to his two first half efforts.
Cian Liston picked up a slight injury and had to come off twelve minutes into the second half, and we all wish Cian a full and speedy recovery.
It was also good to see Nicholas Gogarty back with the team again. Nicholas nearly didn’t make the game as his sat-nav, apparently, didn’t work properly and he ended up in Abbeyfeale. But he and his passengers did get back to Knocknagoshel in time for the start.
Team: Seamus Bastible (Capt), Paul Galvin, Ronan Shanahan, John Murphy, Dylan Harnett, Ciarán O’Connell, Andrew Morrissey, Denis O’Neill (0-1), Shane Crowley, Declan Clifford (0-1), Seán Dukes (0-1), Dale Counihan (0-6 – one free), Oisín Fitzgerald (0-1), Seán Fitzmaurice (0-1), Cian Liston (0-1).
Subs: Eoin Galvin (12m) (0-1), John Dennis (42m), Seán Hurley (47m), Alan Griffin (55m), Nicholas Gogarty (55m).
We were due to play Ballymac on this Monday evening in round 3 of the Town League but this game has been put back to 8th August. So our next outing will also be in the Co. League (round 9) when welcome Duagh to Connolly Park on next Sunday afternoon (24th July) at 2pm.
Duagh have been playing well this season , having won five of their eight games so far, leaving them in 3rd place on the League table. We, on the other hand, find ourselves in 7th position after our three wins (against Cordal, Tuosist and Knocknagoshel).
MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-11; Mid Kerry 4-10.
Our Minors had to give way to a better team on the day when exiting the Co. Championship at the round three stage in Connolly Park on last Friday evening (15th July). Once the Mid Kerry boys went into an early lead we were then chasing the game to the very end. By the 10th minute they led by 6 points (1-4 to 0-1). They extended that to 7 by half time (3-6 to 1-5) and at full time the margin was 8 points. So that’s it in a nutshell.
But everything has to be put in context. Of our starting 15 only four were in the 18 age bracket. Seven were 17 and a further four were just 16. Of the 6 subs introduced five were 17 and the 6th sub just 16. So of the 21 who played this evening 17 will be eligible to play Minor again next year, assuming the GAA Hierarchy will leave well enough alone and there is no guarantee, of course, that that will happen. So as far as Team Manager, Wayne Quillinan and his excellent Team of Mentors (John O’Sullivan, Eoin Colgan, Jonathan Conway and Kieran O’Callaghan) are concerned, this is a work-in-progress.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Shane Walsh, Dylan Casey, Donagh McMahon, Conor Lowe, Ciarán O’Reilly, Brandon Patterson (Capt), Joseph O’Connor, David Fitzmaurice, Gearóid Sheehan (0-2 – one free), Fergal Ryan (0-1), Cian Liston, Harry O’Callaghan, Gearóid Fitzgerald, Ferdia O’Brien (1-7 – penalty goal and four frees).
Subs used: Tomás Sheehy (ht), Odhran Liston (ht), Donagh McKivergan (48m), Michael Linnane (52m), Joe Looby (54m) (0-1), Alan Dore (56m).
We still have three rounds left to play in the Central League. After our win away to Dingle in round 1 (1-14 to 1-9) we are due to play Laune Rangers at home in round 2 (21st July), then we are away to Na Gaeil (28thJuly) in round 3, and in the 4th and final round we have a home game against Kerins O’Rahillys (25th August).
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 (11th July) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 7, 12, 18, 24.
The €20 Winners were: Pat Kissane, Mike Kenny and John O’Riordan, all c/o The Club; Helen Foran, c/o Carmel O’Neill; and Elsie Dennehy, c/o The Bingo.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Maura Hynes (nee Donagher), Rathnapish, Carlow (mother of Harry, former Club Bar Manager and current Bar Chairman).; Angela Sweeney (nee Lacey), Hawley Park and late of Mitchel’s Avenue; Marie Sheehy (nee Crushell), Liosdara and late of Kenmare (wife of former Kerry and John Mitchels footballer, Seán Óg); Michael Courtney, Spunkane, Waterville (father of former Club Footballer and SF Team Mentor, Frank: and grandfather of Club Footballers, Martin, David and Tracey Courtney and Dylan, Luke and Gavin Casey); Tess Leane (nee Evans), The Abbey Inn (mother of former Club Footballer, Danny Jnr.); Michael Leahy, Castlecountess (Uncle of former Club Footballers, Kenneth and Barry Leahy and Club Scór Singer, Aoife Ní Choileáin); and Helen McMahon (nee O’Neill), Ballinorig Estate and late of Old Marian Park (wife of former Club Footballer, Martin McMahon).
