SENIOR FOOTBALL:

Result of 2015 Co. League Round 4 – Austin Stacks 1-7; Dr. Crokes 0-10.

Result of 2014 Co. League Final – Austin Stacks 2-9; Dr. Crokes 0-13.

This Co. League game, played at a breezy and dampish Connolly Park last Saturday evening (9th May), doubled up as this season’s round 4 game which ended all square, which secured a point on the League table for both sides, but more important was also the Final of last season’s competition which we won, with two points to spare, after extra time.

We had the perfect start. Barry Shanahan, who was fouled at the throw in, launched a quick free high into the square and Kieran Donaghy, rising highest, flicked to the net for the quickest goal in the Senior team’s history – after just 12 seconds.

Crokes got on the mark, with a pointed free in the 4th minute which was followed, a minute later, by a Shane Carroll one from play after good work by Shane O’Callaghan and David Mannix,

By the 17th minute Crokes had drawn level with two pointed frees and one from play. But we finished the half strongly with David Mannix converting a free after a foul on Shane O’Callaghan in the 18th minute and Conor Jordan putting over, a minute from the break, after being put through by Kieran Donaghy. We led at half time by 1-3 to 0-4.

By contrast we had a poor start to the second  half . By the end of the 3rd quarter Crokes had added six points (all but one from frees) while our only contribution during this period was a lone point in the 42nd  minute from a Shane Carroll free after Sean Ryan was fouled.

But our lads dug deep and in a three minute spell Shane Carroll put over three super points (two from play) to level matters again and take the game into extra time. (1-7 to 0-10)

Two minutes after the restart Fiachna Mangan put us back in the lead again but Crokes responded with two more late in the half and as half time in extra time approached Shane Guthrie send in a long high ball goalwards which was too much for the Crokes defence to handle and ended in the net to give us a two points lead at half time (2-8 to 0-12).

With both sides scoring one each in the 2nd period of extra time – ours coming from another free by Man of the Match, Shane Carroll, that was still the margin at the end of a pulsating encounter.

2014 team captain, Barry Shanahan, accepted the Co. League Shield to the cheers of one of the biggest crowds ever seen in Connolly Park.

It was the Club’s 10th Co. League title, putting us back on top of the Roll of Honours which we had shared for the past three seasons with Laune Rangers. Crokes, incidentally, are third on the list with six titles followed by Kerins O’Rahillys on five.

Everyone in the Club wish Daniel Bohan a full and speedy recovery from the shoulder injury which he picked up 40 minutes into the game.

Team: Jonathan Conway, Ronan Shanahan, Fearghal MacNamara, Denis McElligott, Barry Walsh, Conor Jordan (0-1) Ciarán  O’Connell, Shane Guthrie (1-0), Barry Shanahan (Capt), Daniel Bohan, Michael Collins, Shane Carroll (0-6 – 3 frees), David Mannix (0-1 free), Kieran Donaghy (1-0), Shane O’Callaghan.

Subs used: Seán Ryan (36m), Fiachna Mangan (38m) (0-1), Darragh O’Brien (40m), William Kirby (49m).

Subs used in extra time: Colin Griffin (65m), Darragh Long (69m).

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES: Depending on positive results our Seniors could be on the road for the next five consecutive weekends. Next Sunday (17th May) the Club Championship semi finals take place as a double header in Austin Stack Park. We play Dingle at 1.45pm with Crokes and Rathmore in the second semi at 3.30pm.

Then, six days later (Saturday, 23rd May) there is another double header in Austin Stack Park, this time in the first round of the County Championship. We play St. Michaels/Foilmore at 5.15pm with Kerins O’Rahillys playing Rathmore at 7pm.

Depending on results,  the Club Championship Final in provisionally fixed for Saturday, 30th May.  It’s back to Co. League duty then for the following weekend with our round 5 game away to Milltown (w/e 6th June) and round 6 at home to Dingle (w/e 13th June).

SF CO. LEAGUE (DIV 5): Austin Stacks 1-14; Knocknagoshel 0-11

It was a credit to both sides for putting on such a wholehearted display in dreadful weather conditions at Caherslee yesterday afternoon (10th May) in round 4 of the Co. League.

Knocknagoshel played with the rain and strong wind behind them in the first half and went in at the break leading by 0-8 to 0-6. Darragh Long scored all our six points in the opening half – five from frees.

It was Darragh again, thirty two seconds after the resumption, who added to our tally. But two quickly pointed frees from the visitors put them three points clear again.

Now the elements favoured us and with William Kirby and Brían Mangan in control in the centre we took full advantage. Darragh Long, again, with two pointed frees reduced the deficit but it was our next score in the 41stminute which put us on the road to victory. Ciarán Flanagan, just on the pitch for three minutes, won possession out on the wing.

He dribbled goalwards, where Darragh Long took over and his pass across goal was gathered by Seamus Bastible and Seamus picked his spot for a great goal. We went on to add a further five points (Darragh Long 4; Dylan Harnett1) while Knocknagoshel’s only contribution was from another free late in the half.

A great performance from our lads with the young and the not so young contributing handsomely. Darragh Long  was unerring from both play and frees – scoring a total of 13 points – many from difficult angles in difficult conditions. In fact we had not one single wide in the whole 60 minutes.

Team: Paddy Fitzgibbon, Paul Galvin, Eoghan McKivergan, Nicholas Gogarty, Seamus Bastible (1-0), John Dennis, Denis O’Neill. William Kirby, Brían Mangan , Eoin Colgan, David O’Sullivan, Dale Counihan (Capt), Seán Dukes, Darragh Long (0-13 – eleven frees), Danny Carroll.

Subs: Cathal O’Reilly (36m), Ciarán Flanagan (38m), Seán Fitzmaurice (41m), Dylan Harnett (50m) (0-1), John Murphy (52m), Nessan Crean (54m).

HURLING: Our Hurlers are due to get their season under way in Connolly Park on this Wednesday evening (13th May) at 7.15pm when they play  St. Pats (East Kerry) in the 1st round of the South Kerry JH League. In round 2 we are away against the same opposition on the following Wednesday (20th May).

ROCKIE NIGHT AT THE DOGS: Just over a week to go now to Our ‘Night at the Dogs’ event at Tralee Greyhound Stadium on Friday, 22nd May. Many Club Volunteers are out and about at present selling Nominator Tickets, the proceeds of which will go towards our pitch development which in ongoing at present.

THE SUNDAY GAME: There was a great atmosphere in the Clubhouse last Sunday afternoon for the launch of RTE’s Sunday Game Programme for 2015which was broadcast live of the Sunday Sports Show on Radio Eireann.

Host, Marty Morrissey was joined by regular Sunday Game Analysists Tomás Ó Sé, Kevin McStay and Pádraig Joyce and they were joined later by our own William Kirby and Stephen Stack with William, who had just come off a rain-soaked pitch when winning with the B Team, telling a surprised Marty that his playing days  could go on adinfinitum. Great news indeed.

And mention of William let us thank his sister Fiona and her husband Kevin Cotter of Kirby’s Brogue Inn who provided complimentary meals for our RTE visitors following the radio broadcast.

GAA CYCLE CHALLENGE: The Kerry GAA cycle challenge will take place on this Saturday (16th May) beginning and finishing at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney. Entry €30 per person.

Route 1: Killarney, Rathmore, Gneeveguilla, Scartaglin, Castleisland, Tralee, Milltown and Killarney.
Route 2: Killarney, Farranfore, Milltown and Killarney.

BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.

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

CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.

LOTTO: Last Monday’s (4th May) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 2, 11, 16 and 29.

The €20 Prizes went to Laura O’Regan, c/o Brendan O’Regan; Jim O’Connor and Denis O’Regan, both c/o Club Rockies; Werner Heinrich, c/o Denis O’Connor; and Brian McKivergan, c/o John Breen .

SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Kitty Murphy, Houston, Texas and late of Clonmore Villas; Lilly Curtin (nee Curtin), London, Highfield Grove and Railway Terrace; and Dr. Arthur Spring, Ash Court, Ashleigh Downs and late of Strand Street (former Stacks Minor Hurler and Kerins O’Rahillys footballer).