MICHAEL CHUCKY O’CONNELL: One of the all time greats of the Rock Club – Michael Chucky O’Connell – passed away peacefully last Saturday morning (3rd Sept) at the age of 87.
Born on 27th April 1929 the Rock had just, six months previously, won their 1st SF Co. Championship title (7th Oct 1928). And it was to the Rock Club that Chucky gave most of his spare time as a player during the late forties and fifties and, for many years afterwards, as a Club Administrator and Team Mentor, when his playing days ended.
Probably his greatest year as a player was as a 23 year old in 1952. That year the Rock went very close to reaching a Co. Final, which would have been their first final in 16 years.
They defeated Castleisland by just two points (1-10 to 2-5) to qualify for the semi final. They were trailing by a point as that game approached full time when Chucky’s last minute goal gave them that two points victory.
In the semi final, three weeks later, Chucky was on target again with the first goal of the game but the Rock were most unlucky to go down to a Kenmare District side by just two points (3-2 to 2-3) in that semi final.
He was Senior Team Manager for many years, including on that poignant day in Castleisland in April 1962 when 24 year old Moss Slattery died suddenly while playing in a Co. League game between Stacks and Desmonds.
In later years he was big into Golf, both at the old course in Mounthawk and at the new venue in Barrow and was also a great Greyhound enthusiast.
But his love of the Club was always there and in recent times, up to when he was hospitalized a few years ago, Chucky could be found playing at the weekly Card sessions in the Rock Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday nights.
We extend sincere sympathy to Chucky’s wife, Kathy; daughters Mary (McLoughlin), Ann (O’Connell) and Martina; sons John and James, and all his grandchildren and extended family and friends.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died recently – Mary Concepta Dowd, Caherslee; Nancy Blennerhassett (nee Sims), Orchard Lodge, Oakpark (grandmother of former Juvenile Footballer, Rowley Blennerhassett); Máire O’Farrell (nee Kelly), Ballyard and late of Rosslare; and Baby Samuel Macova, Fountain Court.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Templenoe 3-12 (21); Austin Stacks 4-10 (22).
Our thanks to Tim Slattery for the following Report.
This first ever meeting in the Co. League – and what a game. David Mannix opened with a point after two minutes and then Templenoe went ahead with two points in the 3rd and 8th minutes before Shane O’Callaghan equalized again a minute later.
The home side then put over three unanswered points by the 19th minute but then it was our turn to score three in a row to level matters for a third time after 26 minutes (0-5 each) – Darragh O’Brien from a 45 and one each from play by David Mannix and Shane O’Callaghan were our scorers.
A minute later Templenoe went ahead again. Then after good work by Pa McCarthy Shane O’Callaghan goaled, followed by a Michael O’Donnell point. Then, in the space of a minute, Shane became provider for a great goal by David O’Sullivan. And then, deep in injury time, Templenoe goaled to leave us ahead by three at the break (2-6 to 1-6).
Six minutes after the restart the sides were level again after the home side put over three more unanswered points. We then dominated the next 10 minutes – scoring a further 1-3 – a pile-driver of a goal by Michael O’Donnell cutting in along the end line – and three super points from David Mannix. This left us two goals ahead as the game entered the final quarter.
But Templenoe, who like ourselves, were fighting to get into a Co. League Final, never gave up and in that final quarter they outscored us by 2-3 to 1-1 to leave them just one point short when Gerard Murphy (Skellig Rangers) blew the final whistle. Our two scores in that final quarter came from Mikey Collins (point) and Shane O’Callaghan with his second goal of the game.
Team: Darragh O’Brien, Jack O’Shea, Conor Jordan, Ronan Shanahan, Pa McCarthy, Fearghal MacNamara, Alan Nestor, Michael O’Donnell (1-1), Shane Guthrie, Daniel Bohan, Shane O’Callaghan (Capt) (2-2), Fiachna Mangan, David Mannix (0-5 – 2 frees), David O’Sullivan (1-0), Darragh O’Brien (0-1 – forty five).
Subs used: John Dennis (11m), Michael Collins (36m) (0-1), Wayne Guthrie (45m), Barry Walsh (59m).
The win puts us into our 5th Co. League final in the last six seasons and it will be a 3rd in a row final between Stacks and Crokes – Stacks winning the 2014 final and Crokes winning the 2015 encounter.
CLUB FINAL: The Club Championship Final, between ourselves and Dr. Crokes goes ahead in Milltown (note change of venue) on next Saturday at 5.30pm. It’s hard to believe that the last time we took part in the Final of this competition was away back in 2003 (actually it was played on Saturday, 31st January 2004 in Connolly Park). We won that year’s final with a narrow one point win over An Ghaeltacht (1-9 to 0-11.
The team that lined out that day was as follows:- David Hennebery, Denis Sayers, Kenneth Leen, Brian Dennehy, Paul Hennebery, Pa Laide, Tommy Costello, William Kirby (Capt), Kieran Donaghy, Martin Courtney, Billy Sheehan (0-1), Mikey Collins (0-6 – 5 frees), Darragh Long (1-1 – one free), Martin McKivergan, Darren Aherne (0-1).
Subs used: Nessan Crean (42m), Eoin Colgan (42m).
Among the household names playing with An Ghaeltacht that day were – Micí Ó Conchúir, Pól Ó Cuinn, Roibeard MacGearailt, Cathal Ó Dubhda and the three Ó Sé brothers, Fergal, Tomás and Marc.
After this it’s on to the quarter final of the Co. Championship on the first weekend of October. Ours is the last of the four games that will be played that weekend. First up on Saturday (1st Oct), in Austin Stack Park, is the Kerins O’Rahillys .v. Dr. Crokes game at 3pm, to be followed at 4.45 by the South Kerry .v. Dingle game.
Then on Sunday (2nd Oct) in Fitzgerald at 2pm it’s the Mid Kerry .v. Rathmore game to be followed by our game against Kenmare District at 3.30pm. The semi finals are fixed for the following weekend with the final on Sunday, 23rd October (semi final and final dates could be altered if any of the aforementioned games resulted in replays).
CONGRATULATIONS: There was a double celebration in the Barry-Walsh household over the past week or so. Former Club Footballer and current Senior team selector, John, celebrated a significant birthday last Friday (2nd Sept) but before that daughter, Caoimhe (current Club Footballer) had even more reason to celebrate when her Leaving Cert results came to hand – getting all A’s. Well done Caoimhe.
HURLING: St. Pats (East Kerry) 0-4; Austin Stacks B 1-21.
After our Seniors captured the South Kerry SH League, two weeks ago (defeating Kenmare in the Final), our Juniors performed a similar feat in winning the South Kerry JH Championship on last Wednesday evening (31st August) in sunny Fossa.
On a perfect evening for Hurling we got off to a great start with Eoghan McKivergan opening the scoring with a lovely point inside the second minute. Four minutes later Michael O’Leary was fouled and he himself converted the resultant free. The next two scores came in quick succession with the one and only Francie McLoughlin on target for both, first with a point and, a minute later, with the only goal of the game.
St. Pats got their first score in the 9th minute but we added a further four in a ten minute spell with Michael O’Leary on target twice (one from a free) and one each by Eoghan McKivergan and Francie again.
Then Pats added two more points before Francie was on target again with the last point of the half. This left us ahead at the break by 1-8 to 0-3.
We continued our domination in the second half, holding the opposition to just one point, while adding a further thirteen ourselves, with two of our second half substitutes among the scorers – Killian O’Riordan (2) and Ger Scollard.
Confining the home side to four points didn’t happen by chance as Pats had a number of dangerous forwards. But, from John Connolly out, our defence was superb. Time after time people like Kevin O’Leary, Peter O’Regan, Ross Long and Eddie Barry repelled attack after attack with Eamon Browne, Tadgh Meehan and Stephen Pierce also very effective all through.
James Smullen was having a great game when he had to retire with a slight injury after 17 minutes. But we could name all 18 who lined out on this last summer’s day, who at one stage or another contributed to this victory with their skill dedication. One man who hasn’t been mentioned set up attack after attach, and even though the game was really put beyond the reach of St. Pats early in the second half he still kept performing and that was Johnny Downey, who gave a Man of the Match performance.
Team (13 a-side): John Connolly, Kevin O’Leary, Peter O’Regan (Capt), Labhrás Long, Eddie Barry, Johnny Downey, No Wing Back, Tadhg Meehan (0-1), Michael O’Leary (0-8 – four frees), Stephen Pierce, Eoghan McKivergan (0-5), Eamon Browne, No Corner Forward, Francie McLoughlin (1-4), James Smullen.
Subs used: Killian O’Riordan (17m) (0-2), Seán King (34m), Ronan Gilsenan (38m), Paul Daly (38m), Ger Scollard (38m) (0-1).
With two titles now captured we are in the finals of the three remaining competitions – the South Kerry SH Championship (against Kilgarvan), the Co. League Final (against Duagh) and the County JH Championship Final (opposition to be determined).
WELL DONE: to the Kerry Minor Hurlers, including Tralee Parnells Ciarán Breen (Ciarán has played with our Senior Hurlers for the past two seasons), on winning a 5th All Ireland MH B Final in a row – a second All Ireland MH Medal for Ciarán.
B FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-6; Sneem/Derrynane 3-13.
With nothing at stake for us, table-wise, and with promotion on the cards for the visitors, this was always going to be a difficult game to achieve a positive result for our lads in this, the final round of this season’s Co. League, played in Connolly Park on last Sunday afternoon (4th Sept).
And from the start Sneem/Derrynane showed that they really meant business, admittedly, against a weakened Stacks outfit.
The game was really over at half time when the visitors led by 2-9 to 0-2, both of our points coming from play by corner forward, Danny Carroll.
We never threw in the towel, however and, apart from Sneem’s second half goal, we matched the South Kerry boys score for score in the second period. Again, it was Danny Carroll, with three points, who was our chief scorer, with Paul Galvin coming up from his corner back position to put over a beauty from play.
Seven players were making their first appearances of the season with the B team – Seán Purcell, Seán King, Philip Quilter, Pat Griffin, Timmy Lynch , Kevin O’Leary, and David Browne. And we thank those players, as well of course our regular squad, for making themselves available and thus ensuring that we fielded a team. And thanks also to Team Mentors, Richie Conway, Jonathan Magnier and William Kirby for their efforts in this regard.
Team: Sean Purcell, Paul Galvin (0-1), Darragh Scanlon, Seán King, Andrew Morrissey (Capt), Dylan Harnett, Cathal 0’Reilly, William Kirby, Shane Crowley, Louis Ryle, Philip Quilter, Oisín Fitzgerald, Danny Carroll (0-5 – 2 frees), Seán Fitzmaurice, Pat Griffin.
Subs: Timmy Lynch (21m), Kevin O’Leary (ht), David Browne (42m).
Our postponed Co. League game, away to Ballyduff, now has no consequence for either team, so that’s unlikely to be played, which means we now have just one more game to play before the end of the season – The Town League Final against Kerins O’Rahillys.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Our Minors were due to play Kerins O’Rahillys in the 4th and final round of the Central League last week but the game was postponed to a later date. Check Website for details.
CONGRATULATIONS: to former Club Footballer, Gareth Moore and his new bride, Claire Fealy who were married recently. Every health and happiness to Gareth and Claire from all in the Club.
GOOD LUCK: All in the Senior Club wish all the best to the organizers of the Lee Strand U13 Tournament which goes ahead in the Club Grounds of this Saturday and Sunday. This is the 31st running of the event. It’s almost 30 years to the month since the staging of the first ever Tournament (4th and 5th October 1986). See Club Website for further information.
BEST WISHES: There was a lot of concern on All Ireland semi final day (28th Aug) in Croke Park when news spread of the sudden illness of Thomas White (son of Paddy, Chairman of the Ladies Football in the County and popular referee). We are all glad to learn of the good news since then and we all wish Thomas a full and speedy recovery.
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 (29th August) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 11, 19, 23, 27.
The €20 Winners were: John O’Connor, c/o Richard Healy; Mary O’Riordan, c/o John O’Riordan; and Tony O’Keeffe, Pat & Eileen Finn and Brendan O’Donnell, all c/o Club Rockies.
