SENIOR FOOTBALL: Dr. Crokes 2-15; Austin Stacks 0-7. (photos below by Adrienne McLoughlin)
The final scoreline didn’t do justice to our performance but, having said that, Crokes were deserving winners on the day, winning their 2nd Co. League in a row on their own pitch last Saturday (19th Nov), bringing their overall total now to 8, creeping up on ourselves (who head the Roll of Honours on 10 titles 1972-2014) and Laune Rangers who hold 2nd spot with 9 wins (1986-1998).
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Crokes led by 0-8 to 0-3 at half time but we were most unlucky not to have scored at least two goals, the first in the 15th minute when Shane O’Callaghan saw his shot come off the post and one, shortly afterwards, going barely wide. Kieran Donaghy opened the scoring after just 29 seconds and David Mannix from a free (12th mn) and Fiachna Mangan from play (22nd mn) were our other first half scorers.
A Crokes goal, half way through the second half, put this game out of our reach. At that stage they led by 1-11 to 0-4. Our four second half points all came from play – with Pa McCarthy (see next item), Star, Michael O’Donnell and Seán Ryan on target.
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It was indeed good to see Seán back in action again after missing the last five games and also good to see Barry Shanahan making a brief appearance towards the end of the game after missing the last nine games.
We will do a brief synopsis of the season in the coming weeks.
Team: Darragh O’Brien, Ronan Shanahan, Fearghal MacNamara, Seán Ryan (0-1), Pa McCarthy (0-1), Shane Guthrie, Jack Morgan, Kieran Donaghy (Capt) (0-2), Michael O’Donnell (0-1), Fiachna Mangan (0-1), Shane O’Callaghan, Daniel Bohan, David Mannix (0-1 free), David O’Sullivan, Darragh O’Brien.
Subs used: Wayne Guthrie (ht), Barry Walsh (43m), Ciarán O’Connell (49m), Barry Shanahan (57m).
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In the Dressingroom afterwards Team Manager, Stephen Stack, praised his charges for, not alone another great season, but for a brilliant four seasons. He reminded his players that, with their skill and enthusiasm, they contested 13 finals in those four years, winning a grand total of nine titles, including a Munster Club Championship, a County and Club Championship, a County League title, as well as 2 Town Championships and 3 Town Leagues.
On behalf of the whole squad Team Captain, Kieran Donaghy thanked Stephen and his Management Team for their professionalism and dedication during the season.
We now wish Crokes the best of luck next Sunday as they seek their 7th Munster Club Championship title when they take on The Nire (Waterford) in this season’s Final and also to Kenmare who are bidding for the Munster Intermediate title when they face the Limerick Champions, Adare. Both games go ahead in Mallow as a double header.
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CHURCH GATE COLLECTION: A special thanks to everyone who so generously supported our Annual Church Gate Collection at the weekend and to all our Collectors who gave unstintingly of their time.
PA McCARTHY: has, as many Rockies will know, been a prolific scorer from his half back position since he joined the Senior squad away back in 2004. His 33rd minute point in the League Final on Saturday created a little bit of a record. It brought his scoring prowess with the Rock Seniors to 8-59 (83) which now surpasses the record of the other great wearer of a no. 5 jersey, Tomás Ó Sé. Tomás, in his Kerry career amassed a total of 5-67 (82) in the 178 competitive games (88 Championship; 90 NFL) he played with Kerry. So well done Pa Mac.
BEST WISHES: to former Club Footballer, Paddy Whack Moriarty, who has been in hospital for the past two weeks, nursing an old leg injury. Get well soon Paddy. Continuing best wishes also to Paul Lucey who, we are glad to hear, is continuing to make steady progress.
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 (14th Nov) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 4, 9, 11, 23. The €20 winners were: Des Hurley, c/o The Club; Samantha Spillane, Madeline Foley and Sinéad Foran, all c/o Carmel Quilter; and Werner Heinrich, c/o Denis O’Connor.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died during the past week – Tommy Lucey, St. John’s Park (former Club Footballer); Maureen Daly, Basin View and late of Inch, Annascaul; Julian Keane (nee Nolan), Cappaclough East, Camp and late of Shanakill; Maurice Coffey, Shanakill; Denis Dennehy, Woodbrooke Court and late of Strand Rd, (former Club Footballer and brother of the recently deceased, Jerry); Denis Moylan, Clogherbrien and late of Kilkenny; Babs Chester, Waterford City and Ballingarry (Tipperary) (mother of Club Mentor, Johnny Chester and grandmother of current U14 Footballer, Luke Chester); Aileen Fitzgerald (nee Price), Castlegregory and late of Castlecountess; and Gerald O’Reilly, Hillcrest, Monavally.
