SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-15; Kerins O’Rahillys 1-5
We had the better start in this round 5 back-game played in Connolly Park on last Saturday evening (6th Aug) when we led by 0-3 to no score after 10 minutes – Shane O’Callaghan, Fiachna Mangan and Darragh O’Brien on target for us. But an opportunist goal by O’Rahillys in the 20th minute brought them right back into the game.
However they couldn’t build on that and we finished out the half with four more unanswered points to leave us ahead by four at the break (0-7 to 1-0). – Conor Jordan, Darragh O’Brien, Shane O’Callaghan and Jack O’Shea putting over for us.
After the resumption we continued to dominate proceedings, and twelve minutes into the second half we had added a further five points – Fiachna Mangan (2), David O’Sullivan, Shane O’Callaghan and Jack O’Shea were our scorers.
The visitors got their first point of the game in the 43rd minute and then both sides had three points each – David O’Sullivan and Fiachna Mangan (2) on target again for us – before a well-taken goal by Jack Morgan really put the game to bed with just four minutes of normal time remaining.
O’Rahillys did have one more point before referee James O’Sullivan (Firies) blew the final whistle.
A great display by our lads with some notable performances by all who lined out and all our 16 scores coming from play.
With all games now played in the opening nine rounds of the League Crokes continue to lead on 15 points.
Ourselves and Templenoe are joint second on 14 points each (both of us play one another, down in Templenoe in the 11th and last round of the League some time next month).
Before that, however, we have a home game on next Saturday evening (13th Aug) against Kilcummin in round 10 of the League. Throw in at 7pm.
Team: Darragh O’Brien, Seán Ryan, Conor Jordan (0-1), Ronan Shanahan, Pa McCarthy, Fearghal MacNamara, Jack Morgan (1-0), Wayne Guthrie (Capt), Shane Guthrie, Fiachna Mangan (0-5), Shane O’Callaghan (0-3), Jack O’Shea (0-2), David Mannix, David O’Sullivan (0-2), Darragh O’Brien (0-2).
Subs used: Michael Collins (8m), Alan Nestor (45m), Barry Walsh (50m), Ciarán O’Connell (56m), Dale Counihan (56m), Denis O’Neill (56m).
Prior to the game there was a minute’s silence in honour of three outstanding GAA men who died recently – Paddy Molloy and Donie Bronson O’Sullivan of the Kerins O’Rahillys Club and Denis O’Sullivan of the Firies Club (father of this evening’s referee, James)..
WELL DONE: to Michael O’Donnell and his Kerry JF colleagues on their great victory over Mayo in last Saturday’s All Ireland Final in Croke Park. Michael becomes the first Austin Stacks played to win an All Ireland JF medal since the late Nicholas Hussey in 1954. It was Kerry’s first ever back-to-back wins in the 104 years of the competition. It also brings Kerry back on level terms with Cork on top of the Roll of Honours with 17 titles each. So that’s one down and, hopefully, two to go.
And Brian Caball reminds us that Michael’s Grandfather (David Lucid) won an All Ireland JH Medal with Kerry in 1961. David, at that time, was playing Hurling with his native Ballyheigue. And also on the Kerry side that October day in Austin Stack Park were two Rock Hurlers, John Barry and Niall Sheehy.
HURLING: The South Kerry SH League Final, between ourselves and Kenmare, is scheduled to go ahead in Connolly Park on this Wednesday evening (10th Aug) at 7pm with extra time if necessary.
There is a change then to our next schedule of games as printed in last week’s Notes as the Co. Board has fixed the Co. League Div. 3 Final for the following Wednesday (17th Aug). This game, between ourselves and Duagh, is also in Connolly Park at 7pm.
B FOOTBALL: Our B team were due to play their final round of the Town League on this Monday evening (8th Aug) but their opponents (Ballymac) have withdrawn from the completion. With a 100% record in the competition we now await a date for our semi final encounter, with our opponents still to be confirmed as we write.
Likewise, our B team’s round 10 Co. League game (away to Ballyduff), due to be played at the weekend, will have to be rescheduled as the Ballyduff Hurlers are playing in the SH Co. Championship semi final on Sunday next (14thAug).
CONGRATULATIONS: to Eoin Colgan (current Mentor with the B Footballers and the Minors) and his new Bride, Noelle Cregan who were married last week.
Congratulation also to Scór Singer, Aoife Ní Choileáin and her husband, Brian (Ó Donnchú) on the recent birth of a baby girl (Neasa Jane)
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 (1st August) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 4, 17, 25, 26.
The €20 Winners were: Terry Healy and Colin Teahon, both c/o Club Rockies; Aoife Daly, c/o Richard Healy; Brendan O’Regan, c/o The Club; and Luke McNamee, c/o Carmel Quilter.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Patrick (Paddy) O’Connor, Lerrig and late of Mitchel’s Crescent; and Helen O’Connor (nee Costello), Killenaule (sister of former Club Football Mentor, Tommy Costello).
