CHURCH GATE COLLECTION: Our Annual Church Gate Collection takes place before all Masses on this Saturday evening (19th Nov) and Sunday morning (20th Nov).
REMEMBRANCE MASS: A big thank you to Fr. Pádraig Walsh and all who contributed to making our November Mass of Remembrance such a special occasion last Saturday night.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-9; Kerins O’Rahillys 1-6.
The last time these sides met, on a beautiful summer’s evening at the end of June, the Strand Road boys had the upper hand, winning the Town League Final by seven points (0-15 to 0-8). On last Friday night (11th Nov) the roles were reversed, with our lads turning the tables, winning the Central League final with six points to spare. Both games were played in Caherslee.
After a day of heavy rain (it also rained heavy for about 20 minutes during the first half) the Caherslee pitch was very heavy and that did contribute to a low-scoring first half. Both sides had a number of wides early on (we had 3, O’Rahillys 2) before the opening score came in the 8th minute. Ciarán O’Reilly won possession, raced up field and sent a perfect ball to Gearóid Fitzgerald who pointed. Our next point came six minutes later when Dylan Casey (who had moved to midfield) punched over.
Rahillys first score came in the 19th minute from a pointed free, and then, four minutes later, Gearóid Sheehan put over after good support play from Cian Liston and Conor Lowe.
However, within a minute, Rahillys pounced on a defensive error which ended in the net. Before the break they pointed another free to leave them two ahead at half time (1-2 to 0-3).
David Fitzmaurice won the second half throw-in, launched in a high ball which was won by Michael Slattery, just on the pitch as a second half substitute. Michael was fouled and he himself pointed the resultant free after just 40 seconds.
Thirty six seconds later we were back in the lead when Gearóid Fitzgerald was at the end of a slick Stacks move to blast to the net. Two minutes later Rahillys got their first point from play, before we extended our lead further with two more points, both from play, with the two Gearóids involved – Fitzgerald pointing after being put through by Sheehan – and the second coming from Joseph O’Connor with Dylan Casey the provider.
When the opposition pointed again in the 42nd minute it meant that we had that most dangerous of leads (two points) as the game entered the final quarter. In the next ten minutes, however, we extended that lead to four with points from Michael Slattery (free), Gearóid Fitzgerald and Donagh McKivergan, to one for O’Rahillys.
As the game entered additional time Rahillys reduced our lead to three, but second half substitute, Fergal Ryan, eased our concerns in the 62nd minute when he volleyed to the net for the insurance score.
This was a great team display with some brilliant individual performances from, as well as those already mentioned, men like Shane Kelliher, Donagh McMahon, Shane Walsh, Brandon Patterson, Michael Linnane, Harry O’Callaghan, Odhran Liston and Tomás Sheehy and Robbie Murphy, as usual, soundness personified between the posts.
So a well deserved victory for our boys who, earlier in the season, had just missed out on a Co. League title, losing by just two points (2-18 to 2-16) in a final with Dr. Crokes that went to extra time.
Of the 20 who lined out last Friday night, only three will be over age for the Minor grade again next season. We look forward to seeing Brandon Patterson, Cian Liston and Fergal Ryan moving up to the Senior level in 2017 and no doubt they will be very much involved with our U21 team as well.
So a very satisfactory end to a reasonably successful season with thanks to all who took part, including those outstanding team mentors, Wayne Quillinan, John O’Sullivan, Jonathan Conway and Kieran O’Callaghan as well as Eoin Colgan earlier in the year.
One final matter, we wish Dylan Casey a speedy recovery from the groin injury he sustained during the game.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey (0-1), Donagh McMahon, Shane Walsh, Ciarán O’Reilly, Brandon Patterson (Capt), Joseph O’Connor (0-1), David Fitzmaurice, Gearóid Sheehan (0-1), Michael Linnane, Conor Lowe, Harry O’Callaghan, Cian Liston, Gearóid Fitzgerald (1-3).
Subs used: Michael Slattery (ht) (0-2 frees), Fergal Ryan ( 43m) (1-0), Donagh McKivergan (0-1), Odhran Liston (56m), Tomás Sheehy (57m).
SENIOR FOOTBALL: As we write it seems that the Co. Board are still going ahead with the Co. League Final in Lewis Road on next Saturday (19th Nov) with the throw-in time now changed to 2.30pm.
This is despite the fact that Crokes will be out again on the following weekend in the Munster Club Championship Final and following a very compelling argument made by Crokes to have the game rearranged.
While we understand the Board’s desire to complete the competition in the same calendar year (and this has happened only twice in the last six seasons – in 2011 and 2013), the bigger picture has to be taken into account here – the winning of Munster and All Ireland titles for the County and even more important – player welfare.
SPORTS FORECAST: After 25 sporting events featuring everything from GAA, Horse Racing, Golf and Soccer – Stacks Senior player Shane Guthrie has taken the 1st place prize of €700 (119 points), 2nd €200 Joe Barrett (116) and in 3rd place €100 former Stacks Senior Player and 1994 Co. Championship winner Liam Liddy (112).
Thanks to everyone who participated and support this fundraising event and thanks to Mike Kenny who organised the competition and to Maurice Mc Namara who calculated the table.
CONGRATULATIONS: to neighbours, Na Gaeil, on winning their Division 4 Co. League Final last Sunday. They were already guaranteed promotion to Div. 3 for season 2017 but to come up as Champions is an added bonus.
CONGRATULATIONS: All in the Club and in the wider community, who love sport, will want to congratulate Ultan Dillane on his Man of the Match performance in his first start (7th cap) for Ireland at Lansdowne Road last Saturday night.
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 (7th Nov) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 5, 7, 11, 27. The €20 Winners were: Phil Lynch, c/o The Club; Brian McKivergan, c/o John Breen; Joanne Leahy, c/o Pa Laide; and Selina O’Shea and Donnchadh O’Regan, both c/o Brendan O’Regan.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died during the past week – Gerardine King (nee Lambe), Cahermoneen and late of Rock Street (wife of former Club Footballer, Tommy and aunt of current B Team Selector, Jonathan Magnier);Sheila Fitzmaurice, Balloonagh Estate and late of Farrandeen, Lixnaw; Bob Barry, Oakview and late of Lougher, Annascaul; andMaureen Young (nee Quirke), Leeside, Oakpark.
