NIGHT AT THE DOGS
After weeks of hard graft, spearheaded by Club Vice Chairman Liam Lynch, our Night at the Dogs is finally upon us. This major Fundraiser, for the new Field purchase and development, takes place at Tralee Greyhound Stadium on this Friday night (23rd May) with the first Race off at 8pm.
It will be a big Family Night with our Juveniles parading the greyhounds before each race and then it’s all back to the Clubhouse afterwards where the music will be provided by the popular Fiddlers Green.
Liam advises patrons to buy their tickets from the Clubhouse before Friday night. Kids are free.
Our thanks to everyone for their generous contributions and support to date, and to all our members and friends who have sold tickets etc during the past few weeks.
SENIOR FOOTBALL
Our Co. League game against Milltown-Castlemaine did not go ahead last week-end with the agreement of both Clubs and the Co. Board. This means that we now have two back games in the League, with the Rathmore game also on hold. Both games are home games for us.
So our next outing will be in the first round of the Co. Championship in Listowel against Feale Rangers on Sunday week (1st June).
HURLING
Austin Stacks 2-15; Duagh 1-5
A very polished display by our lads saw them continue unbeaten in the South Kerry League (game 2 of 4) with a good win in Connolly Park on last Wednesday evening (14th May).
The sides were level on two points each after seven minutes with all four scores coming from frees – Paul Daly on target for us after fouls on Shane Fitzgerald and Ronan Gilsenan. And it was Ronan who was very much involved in the next four scores in a four minute spell (8m to 12m). First he pointed.
Then a brilliant free by Jim McCarthy from his own half back position found Brian Meehan who placed Ronan for a great goal. Then Ronan sent over from an acute angle out near the sideline, and within a minute his goal-bound rasper was tipped over the bar by the Duagh keeper, who made a string of fine saves during the game.
By contrast, the second quarter yielded only three more points – two for us from play by Paul Daly after good work by John McCarthy and Shane Fitzgerald and the third a pointed free for Duagh. This left us ahead by 1-7 to 0-3 at half time.
Both sides had a point each shortly after the resumption – John McCarthy on target us. Then in the 36th minute Duagh gave themselves a life-line when they goaled from a free to leave us just four up (1-8 to 1-4).
But, with all our lads playing superbly, we went on to score a further 1-7 to 0-1 for Duagh to leave us with thirteen points to spare at the end. Our 2nd half goal came from Paul Daly.
It was good to welcome back three players who have been absent for a while – Liam Cleary, David Field and Thomas Meehan – and all three were introduced during the second half with Liam putting over a lovely point in the 54th minute.
Again, all 20 who lined out were outstanding, with Jim McCarthy, on this occasion, having a stormer at centreback.
Team: Peter Doyle, Dylan Crean, Peter O’Regan, Pádraig Lynch, Andrew Morrissey, Jim McCarthy, Michael O’Leary, Shane Fitzgerald, Joe Brennan (0-2), John McCarthy (0-2), Danny Maguire, Eddie Barry, Paul Daly (Capt) (1-7 – 4 frees), Ronan Gilsenan (1-3), Brian Meehan.
Subs used: Seán King (33m), Liam Cleary (42m) (0-1), Kevin O’Leary (47m), David Field (50m), Thomas Meehan (54m).
Game 3 of the League, at home to Kilgarvan, has been put back to next Saturday evening (24th May). Throw in 7pm. The 4th and final round is away to St. Pats (East Kerry) on Wednesday week, 28th May.
TRIP TO KILKENNY
Team Manager Mark Power took his charges on a very useful trip to his home Club, James Stephens in Kilkenny City last Sunday (18th May). They had a number of sessions with some noteable local players and mentors as well as a session with the one and only Brian Cody himself. They also attended a Kilkenny.v. Clare Challenge game which took place that evening. Thanks again to Mark and to everyone in Kilkenny for their hospitality.
MONTH’S MIND MASS
Yesterday (20th) is a month since Trevor Barrett passed away. Trevor’s Month’s Mind Mass takes place at Our Lady and St. Brendan’s Church on this Friday evening (23rd May) at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome to attend.
The Stacks Junior B team who beat Kerins O’Rahilly’s on Friday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL
Austin Stacks 4-13; Kerins O’Rahillys 0-9.
Our B Team had a winning start to their Co. League campaign played in ideal condition in Connolly Park on last Friday evening (16th May). We were in control all through and lead by 1-5 to 0-1 at half time.
With most of the players on the periphery of the Senior team and with Stephen and all his Senior Selectors watching on, all 18 who lined out were anxious to put their best foot forward, which they did.
Apart from our two Minors (Calvin Foley and Louis Ryle), nine were making their first senior start of the season, with a further two (Tom McLoughlin and Nicholas Gogarty) having just had one game under their belts so far.
The display will have pleased, not alone the Senior Team Mentors, but also, more importantly, the team’s own mentors of Colm Mangan, Tim McMahon, John O’Sullivan and Timmy Sheehan.
Action from the Junior game on Friday night. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
All six starting forwards got on the score-sheet on Friday evening as well as the three substitutes who came on during the second half. In all, eleven players scored, including midfielder, Theo Diggin and wingback Tom McLoughlin who took a pass from Brían Mangan’s forty five to slot over from distance.
Mikey Collins got two of our four goals – the first after just two minutes and the other in the 38th minute.
The other two goals are already being lined up as contenders for the Goals of the Season – both scored in spectacular fashion – similar to those two that David Beckham (long ago) and Wayne Rooney (the season just past) scored.
The first was lobbed in by Darren Tiernan (making his Club debut) in the 57th minute and, not to be outdone, hurler cum footballer, Podge Lynch landed a similar effort a minute later.
To keep any Strand Road team from scoring more than nine points is a feat in itself and didn’t happen by accident, as all our back line defended superbly, with Paul Galvin, not for the first time, very impressive. And, in addition, goalkeeper Barry Galvin make at least one splendid save in the 45th minute when a goal at that stage might have launched a Strand Road revival.
Action from the Junior game. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Team: Barry Galvin, Paul Galvin, David O’Sullivan, Nicholas Gogarty, Tom McLoughlin (0-1), Seamus Bastible, Joseph O’Kelly, Brían Mangan, Theo Diggin (0-1), Dale Counihan (0-1), Darren Tiernan (1-2), Eoin Colgan (Capt) (0-1), Pádraig Lynch (1-0), Michael Collins (2-1), Eamon McAllen (0-3 – 2 frees).
Subs: Kyle Fitzgibbon (ht) (0-1 free), Calvin Foley (39m) (0-1), Louis Ryle (41m) (0-1).
We were due to play Kilcummin in round 2 on this Friday evening ( 23rd May) but this has been put back to another date due to Trevor Barrett’s Month’s Mind Mass (see above). Our thanks to the Kilcummin Club for their co-operation in this matter.
BEST WISHES
Best wishes to three good friends of the Club who have been hospitalized of late – John Mike McCarthy, Jimmy Nolan and Denis ‘Dee Butcher’ O’Regan. We wish all three a full and speedy recovery.
BON VOYAGE
All in the Club, and especially in the Bar, will be sorry to lose the services of the popular Karen Conway. Karen, of course is daughter of Johnny and brother of David, both former Club footballers. Karen, for the time being at any rate, is off to San Francisco in a week or two and we all wish her every success and happiness.
SUNDAY LUNCH
This 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.
LOTTO
Last Monday week’s (12th May) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 2, 8, 11 and 28.
The €20 prizes went to Pádraig O’Connor c/o The Club; and Brian Morgan, Michael Kenny, Seán Myers and Tom Crowley, all c/o Club Rockies.
SYMPATHY
Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of Gerry Connolly, The Kerries; Hanna McDonagh (nee Diggins), Derrylea and late of Coolarvane, Lixnaw; Colin Dooner, Gort Na Gréine and late of Brighton; Paddy Murphy, Kevin Barry Villas; Maureen Fitzgerald (nee Cotter), Blackrock, Upper Rock St. and late of Manor West; and Mary Fitzgerald, Hawley Park who died during the past week.
