SENIOR HURLING: Kilgarvan 4-13; Austin Stacks 1-8.
Our Hurlers lost their first game of the season, going down to a strong Kilgarvan side, in the final of the South Kerry SH Championship played at Lewis Road on last Saturday afternoon (15th Oct).
Kilgarvan were three points up inside the first six minutes but then we got into the game with Andrew Morrissey putting over our first score a minute later. Colm Ó Giollagáin added two more from frees after he himself was fouled and likewise Ciarán Breen. Then in the 12th minute James Smullen kicked over a beauty to put us in the lead for the first time. Kilgarvan restored their lead with two more points, but Colm equalized again in the 20th minute – a massive long-ranged free after Ciarán was fouled again.
Two minutes later, however, came the first of Kilgarvan’s goals to be followed by two more points to leave them five clear at half time (1-7 to 0-5).
We had an ideal start to the second half when Paul Daly found the net from a brilliantly taken penalty, awarded after a melee in the square. Points were then exchanged by the 5th minute, ours coming from a huge effort by Ciarán Breen after some super play by Andrew Morrissey, what a game Andrew had in his familiar number 7 jersey. But in the space of the next minute this game was put out of our reach when Kilgarvan banged in two more goals. This extended their lead to eight points (3-8 to 1-6) and in the remaining 23 minutes of the game they added a further 1-5 while our contribution was just two more points, both from Colm Ó Giollagáin frees.
The scoreline might suggest that our defence was suspect but nothing could be further from the truth. Seán Hartnett, for example, making his first competitive appearance in goals, made a string of superb saves and was served for a lot of the time during the course of the hour with some super defending.
Peter Doyle, Colm Ó Giollagáin and Kevin O’Leary picked up slight knocks during the course of the game and we wish all three a full and speedy recovery.
Team: Seán Hartnett, Kevin O’Leary, Peter O’Regan, Seán King, Johnny Downey, Paul Daly (1-0 pen), Andrew Morrissey (0-1), Andrew Foley (Capt), Ciarán Breen (0-1), James Smullen (0-1), Killian O’Riordan, Colm Ó Giollagáin (0-5 frees), Peter Doyle, Francie McLoughlin, Ronan Gilsenan
Subs used: Ian Moynihan (33m), Labhrás Long (44m), Tadhg Meehan (48m), Eamon Browne (49m), John Connolly (53m).
It was a pity that we were on the losing side on this occasion, as 20 years ago almost to the day – well to the month and a day to be precise (16th Nov 1996) – we won the South Kerry SH Championship against the same opposition. Making his SH debut on that day in the Dr. Crokes alternative pitch at Deerpark was a 16 year old who has given unbelievable service to the Hurlers since then and he was there again today giving his all for the cause, and that was the outstanding Peter O’Regan (see separate paragraph below).
Now it’s one more competition to be concluded and that’s the SH Co. League (Div 3) Final between ourselves and Duagh which is due to go ahead in Connolly Park on next Saturday afternoon (22nd Oct) at 4pm.
THE 1996 TEAM: The team that lined out in Deerpark, Killarney (Dr. Crokes second pitch) in the 2-9 to 0-11 victory over Kilgarvan on Saturday, 16th November 1996 – the day Peter O’Regan made his debut -was as follows: Tadhg O’Halloran, John Paddy O’Sullivan, Pat Dowling, Mike Tangney, PETER O’REGAN, Brendan Long, Joseph O’Connor (0-1), Pádraig Teahan (0-1), John Lyons, Darren Crotty, Joe Rogers (Capt) (0-3), Michael Callanan, Seán Holden, Kevin McNamara, Brian Neenan (1-4).
Sub used: Jonathan O’Regan (1-0).
The Team Management on that day was: Frank Courtney, Tadhg O’Halloran, Jim Gannon and Damien Hogan.
The following is an extract from the ‘Stacks Notes’ of that week. The team on the day was a nice blend of youth and experience. Making hugely impressive debuts were wing backs, Joseph O’Connor and Peter O’Regan. Indeed Peter was captain of our U14 winning Co. Championship team in 1994.’
And the other coincidence with that day was that of Tadhg O’Halloran’s involvement with the 1996 Management team, as well as being the goalkeeper – today Tadhg’s brother (Mike) is our Team Manager. And also on the panel that year was Seanie O’Leary, brother of today’s player, Kevin, and of Michael of today’s Masnagement team.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-10; Kerins O’Rahillys 0-17
Continued below…
Action from the Semi-final of Coiste Thra Li Senior Football Championship between Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
A game that was level on four different occasions, this Town Championship semi final, played in Connolly Park on last Saturday evening (15th Oct), just eluded us after a wholehearted display by our lads. Rahillys went ahead by two early on, but a goal and two points from Darragh O’Brien put us in the lead after eight minutes. The visitors then added three more by the 15th minute with Darragh on target again for us to leave us with a one point lead at the end of the first quarter (1-3 to 0-5).
The first non DOB score for us came in the 18th minute when Fiachna Mangan pointed but Darragh was back in business again with his second goal of the game in the 22nd minute to give us a five points lead at that stage. Rahillys had a brilliant end to the half, wiping out our lead with six good points while a Michael O’Donnell point was our only contribution during that closing period of the half which left the sides deadlocked at the break (2-5 to 0-11).
It was point for point after the resumption with our lads just shading it by the end of the 3rd quarter (2-8 to 0-13) – our three points coming from Jack O’Shea, Darragh O’Brien and Shane O’Callaghan. Ten minutes later we were two points clear after Barry Walsh and Jack Morgan scoring one each, with one for the opposition. But, like the first half, O’Rahillys dominated the closing minutes of the game, adding a further three points without reply, to leave them winners with the minimum to spare.
Team; Darragh O’Brien, Ronan Shanahan, Barry Walsh (0-1), Fearghal MacNamara, Pa McCarthy, Jack O’Shea 0-1), John Dennis, Shane Guthrie, Denis O’Neill, Fiachna Mangan (0-1), Shane O’Callaghan (Capt) (0-1), Michael O’Donnell (0-1), Dale Counihan, Alan Nestor, Darragh O’Brien (2-4 – one free).
Subs: Wayne Guthrie (25m), Jack Morgan (ht) (0-1).
(More photos below)
With Dr. Crokes deserving winners of Sunday’s Co. Final the only game remaining for us before the season ends is the Co. League Final against the aforementioned Dr. Crokes and this game, of course, will be dependent on the progress of Crokes in the Munster Club Championship.
Our thanks to Tim Slattery for his help in compiling this Report.
BOOK LAUNCH: One of the most anticipated Book Launches in years is due to take place on this Thursday night (20th Oct) at the Ballygarry Hotel when Kieran Donaghy’s eagerly awaited publication will be unveiled. The aptly named book (What do you Think of That) is a must read and should be purchased straight away as it could be out of print in no time. Star himself is due to appear on Ryan Tubridy’s Late Late Show the following night (this Friday night, 21st Oct).
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: Happy birthday to Mary Barry (wife of former Club Footballer, Jerry Fitzmaurice and mother of current Club Footballers, Seán, David and Niall Fitzmaurice and sister of Joan, Paddy and David Barry, who all played with the Club down the years). Have a good one Mary.
BINGO: continues in our Clubhouse, Connolly Park, on this and every Saturday night, commencing at 8.30pm.
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 (10th Oct) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 5, 7, 15, 17.
The €20 Winners were: Patricia Walsh, c/o Brendan O’Regan; Anne & Sonny Roche, co Richard Healy; Kevin Barry, c/o Club Rockies; Siobhán Power, c/o The Ladies; and Richard Healy, c/o Cathal Healy..
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Kathleen O’Connor, Strand Street and late of L. Quinlan’s Bar, Bridge Street; Leo Foley, St. John’s Park and late of Mitchel’s Road; and Kathleen (Kathy) Dillane (nee O’Connor), Clahane, Ballyard and late of Main St., Blennerville (wife of the late Club Footballer of the late fifties/early sixties, Mick Dillane).
The Sporting Community and beyond were shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden and untimely death of Munster and Ireland Rugby legend, Anthony Foley at the weekend, just 14 days short of his 43rd birthday. We extend sincere sympathy to Anthony’s family, colleagues and friends.
Action from the Semi-final of Coiste Thra Li Senior Football Championship between Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
Action from the Semi-final of Coiste Thra Li Senior Football Championship between Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
Action from the Semi-final of Coiste Thra Li Senior Football Championship between Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
Action from the Semi-final of Coiste Thra Li Senior Football Championship between Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
Action from the Semi-final of Coiste Thra Li Senior Football Championship between Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
Action from the Semi-final of Coiste Thra Li Senior Football Championship between Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
Action from the Semi-final of Coiste Thra Li Senior Football Championship between Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.
