SENIOR FOOTBALL

Austin Stacks 1-11

Milltown/Castlemaine 0-10 

This replay, in round 1 of the Club Championship played in ideal conditions in Milltown on last Saturday evening (3rd May), was as intense and as tight as the drawn game six days previously.

With both defences excelling early on, the first four points of the game (two to each side) came from frees – Shane Carroll on target for us after fouls on Fiachna Mangan and Greg Horan.
The first score from play came in the 12th minute for the home side, followed by two more in quick succession to leave us trailing by 0-5 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter.

We held the opposition scoreless in the second quarter but only added two ourselves in this period – another Shane Carroll free after a foul on himself and, before that, our only score from play in this half by Shane O’Callaghan. Milltown led at half time by 0-5 to 0-4.

Milltown went further ahead inside the second minute of the resumption with another pointed free. However, the introduction of William Kirby and Darragh O’Brien (forward) at the start of the second half seemed to give us more impetus and, consequently, we got the next three points – one each from play by Shane O’Callaghan and Mikey Collins and another pointed free by Shane Carroll.

This put us back in the lead for the first time since the second minute of the game. Another pointed free for Milltown saw the sides on level terms again as we entered the final quarter.

We were now dominating play and, in the space of four minutes, we had took command for the first time in the game with two more Shane Carroll points and a goal finished off by Mikey Collins, who was making his first start of the season.

We were now five points up but Milltown, as is their wont, never gave up and, by the 55th minute were back in the game with three points on the trot.

This left for a nervous finish but two more Shane Carroll points closed out the game and we now move on to meet Dingle in the quarter final on a date to be announced.

Team: Jonathan Conway, Ronan Shanahan, Fearghal MacNamara, John Dennis, Pa McCarthy, Daniel Bohan, Ciarán O’Connell, Barry Shanahan (Capt), Wayne Guthrie, Greg Horan, Denis McElligott, Fiachna Mangan, Michael Collins (1-1), Shane Carroll (0-8 – 6 frees), Shane O’Callaghan (0-2).
Subs used: William Kirby (ht), Darragh O’Brien (ht), Barry Walsh (42m), David Mannix (50m).

Originally, the next round of the Co. League (round 4 – at home to Rathmore) was fixed for the coming weekend, but we now understand that our Club Championship quarter final tie, away to Dingle, may go ahead instead. Nothing has been confirmed as we write. Check Club Website for updates..

HURLING

Our Hurlers were due to travel to Abbeydorney on Monday evening (5th May) to fulfill a postponed game in the North Kerry Intermediate League. Check Club Website for details.
We have a bye this week in the South Kerry League with our next two games at home – to Duagh on next Wednesday (14th May); and against Kilgarvan on the following Monday (19th May). The 4th and final round will be away to St. Pats (East Kerry) on Wednesday, 28th May.

MINOR FOOTBALL

Austin Stacks 1-12

Kerins O’Rahillys 2-6

When these sides met in the last round of the Co. League just over two weeks ago it was O’Rahillys who triumphed, but on last Sunday evening (4th May) in the Town League Final in Connolly Park we turned the tables on the visitors to retain the James Hobbert Cup after some brilliant football by both sides.

Michael O’Donnell won the throw-in, progressed up field and put over a beauty with just 15 seconds on the clock. Rahillys equalized over a minute later from a free but two more pointed frees by Michael left us two ahead at the end of the first quarter.
Such was the intensity of our first half performance that we limited the opposition to just one more score before half time, while we put over three more – a Michael O’Donnell free and one each from play by Ciarán Flanagan and Calvin Foley to leave us ahead at the break by 0-6 to 0-2.

Three minutes after the resumption, Rahillys were through on goal but two superb goal-line clearances by Niall Carroll-Cane and James O’Connor prevented a certain goal even though a point did materialize. The goal did come for O’Rahillys three minutes later to level the game for the second time. Both sides then swapped points from frees – with Michael again on target for us.
Then, in the space of four minutes (41st to 45th) we really upped our game, scoring three superb points from play by Calvin Foley, Louis Ryle and Jack O’Shea and a brilliant goal by Jessie O’Sullivan to leave us six points clear as the game entered the final quarter.
In the next twelve minutes both sides shared two points each – ours coming again from Michael O’Donnell frees.
However Strand Road kept pressing and got through for a goal as the game went into added time but we held out for a well deserved victory.

All twenty who played on the evening gave displays that, on another day, would yield a Man of the Match Award but the already mentioned Michael O’Donnell and Timmy Murphy, for his first half display in particular, would just about shade it on this occasion.
Team: Danny Kinsella, Dylan Harnett (Capt), Niall Carroll-Cane, Darragh Scanlon, Cathal O’Reilly, Jack O’Shea (0-1), Jack Kenny, Michael O’Donnell (0-7 – 6 frees), Calvin Foley (0-2), Timmy Murphy, Louis Ryle (0-1) Craig Corcoran), Seán Fitzmaurice, Ciarán Flanagan (0-1), Seán Dukes.
Subs used: James O’Connor (21m), Seán Hurley (ht), Jessie O’Sullivan (35m) (1-0), Anthony Moynihan (46m), Sam Nealon (47m).
Our Minors (as a team) now have a break until the Co. Championship gets underway on the Wednesday after the Munster Final (9th July). In the meantime let us wish all those doing Exams all the best in the coming weeks.

GOOD LUCK

Good luck to the Kerry Minors (including our own Jack Morgan) who take on Tipperary in this Wednesday evening’s (7th May) Munster Championship semi final in Semple Stadium at 7pm.

SCÓR SÍNSIR

Congratulations to Kerry’s three Clubs – Churchill, Glenflesk and Kilcummin who won All Ireland Titles in Senior Scór at the recent Finals in Athlone.
Churchill are the Quiz Champions with Glenflesk and Kilcummin annexing the Rinnce Foirne and Rinnce Set respectively.

SUNDAY LUNCH

Lunch continues in the Clubhouse every Sunday from 12 to 4pm. Bookings on 066 7126942.

CLUBHOUSE

As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. Phone Ian from 7pm at 066 7126942 for bookings.

BINGO

The Bingo session will continue on this and every Saturday night at 8.30pm in our Clubrooms.

CARDS

The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday nights at 9.30pm.
All at the Cards offer sympathy to Kevin Feehan on the death of his mother, Violet (see Sympathy)

LOTTO

Last Monday week’s (28th April) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 17, 21, 22 and 31.
The €20 prizes went to Pat Kissane and John O’Riordan, both c/o The Club; Tadgh Carroll, c/o Carmel O’Neill; Billy Ryle, c/o Club Rockies and Anne Murphy, c/o The Ladies.

GOOD NEWS

It’s great to hear the good news that our friend and colleague, Charlie Healy (one of our regular Lotto sellers) has been given the all-clear following his recent series of ongoing treatments.

SYMPATHY

Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of Violet Feehan (nee Scanlon), Spa Road (mother of Kevin – see Cards); Pat Guihan, Laurel Court and late of Tuosist; Christopher O’Hehir, Balloonagh Estate; Mary Quinn, Reidy’s Terrace; John Marchant, Chute Hall; and Billy O’Brien, Chesnut Drive, Oakpark and late of Castletownroche (former Kerry County Agricultural Officer) who died during the past week.