SENIOR FOOTBALL
Austin Stacks 0-17; Rathmore 2-5
We qualified for our 6th Co. Championship quarter-final in a row by virtue of a six point win over Rathmore at Austin Stack Park on this Saturday evening (12th July).
We got off the blocks in brisk fashion with Kieran Donaghy winning the throw-in, who found Darragh O’Brien who was fouled, and Shane Carroll made no mistake from the resultant free after just 38 seconds.
Two minutes later Star won the kick-out, found Mikey Collins who was fouled on this occasion. This time Shane took a quick free to David Mannix who put over.
Then a minute later Mikey was the provider for Pa McCarthy to make one of his trade-mark runs upfield for a lovely point.
We seemed to be coasting at this stage but in the 8th minute Rathmore, against the run of play, were awarded a penalty, which they converted to level the game.
The next three points were from frees – two for us by Shane after fouls on Fiachna Mangan and Wayne Guthrie and one for Rathmore.
Then in the 18th minute Pa McCarthy made another brilliant run to score his 2nd point of the evening, bringing his scoring total in Senior football from his half back position, since first getting on the mark in 2008, to 3-15 (he scored a further 1-2 when playing a few games in the forwards last year).
Both sides again had a point each from frees (Shane again on target for us after another foul on Darragh O’Brien) and then in the 23rd and 24th minutes Rathmore put over their first two points from play to level the game for the second time.
From the kick-out they attacked again and Jonathan Conway had to make a brilliant tip-over safe to prevent a certain goal and Rathmore went into the lead for the first, and what turned out to be the only, time in the game. Two minutes later Wayne Guthrie pointed a free following a foul on David Mannix to level the game at half time (0-8 to 1-5).
We were in total control in the opening period of the second half, scoring six points without reply, one each from play by Shane O’Callaghan, Fiachna Mangan and Wayne Guthrie and three pointed frees from Shane Carroll. But like the first half we conceded a second goal in the 45th minute and Rathmore were back in the game again.
But this happened to be their only score of the half while we closed out the game with three more points by David Mannix, Shane Guthrie (forty five) and the final score from Darragh Long.
Not for the first time this season our defence was superb, holding the opposition to just four scores from play during the whole game, an opposition that scored fourteen points in their five points win over the Co. Champions, Dr. Crokes, in the first round.
It was good to see Paul Barrett back again, his first competitive game since the sad loss of his brother Trevor, last April.
The win also put us back on top of the Co. League as the game doubled up for our postponed round 4 game against the same opposition.
We are now on 11 points, one ahead of Dr. Crokes and Kilcummin with both Crokes and ourselves having a game on hand – we against Listowel Emmets and Crokes against Currow.
Team: Jonathan Conway, Ciarán O’Connell, Barry Shanahan (Capt), Fearghal MacNamara, Pa McCarthy (0-2), Conor Jordan, Greg Horan, Wayne Guthrie (0-3 – 1 free, 1 forty five), Kieran Donaghy, Michael Collins, Shane O’Callaghan (0-1), Fiachna Mangan (0-1), David Mannix (0-2), Shane Carroll (0-7 – 6 frees), Darragh O’Brien.
Subs used: Daniel Bohan (47m), Darragh Long (51m) (0-1), Paul Barrett (57m), William Kirby (59m), Eamon McAllen (63m).
MINOR FOOTBALL: Kerins O’Rahillys 2-14; Austin Stacks 1-6.
Our Minors did not have a good start to their Co. Championship campaign last Wednesday evening (9th July) in Strand Rd., going down to the home side in the opening round.
After a good opening period we had a poor 2nd quarter and trailed by four points at half time (0-10 to 1-3). Ciaran Flanagan was our goal scorer in the 11th minute.
Like the first half we had a reasonably good start to the second half, reducing the half time deficit to three at the end of the third quarter (0-11 to 1-5).
But like the first half we had a very poor final quarter while O’Rahillys had put the game beyond reach, scoring a further 2-3 in that period.
Team: Klaudio Dema, Niall Carroll-Cane, Colin Griffin, Dylan Harnett (Capt), Darragh Scanlon, Jack Morgan, Seán Hurley, Jack O’Shea, Calvin Foley, Timmy Murphy (0-1), Seán Ryan (0-1), Craig Corcoran (0-1 free), Seán Fitzmaurice (0-1), Ciarán Flanagan (1-1), Seán Dukes (0-1).
Subs used: Fergal Ryan (36m), Ferdia O’Brien (42m), Anthony Moynihan (55m), Jack Kenny (60m).
We now travel to Castleisland on this Tuesday evening (15th July) to play St. Kierans in round 2 (Losers Round). Throw in 7pm.
SENIOR HURLING
Our Hurling squad are organizing a Tournament to commemorate their late colleague, Trevor Barrett, to be held on the August Bank Holiday Saturday (2nd Aug). More details later.
In the meantime we still await to be notified of two outstanding fixtures for the semi final/final of both the County and South Kerry Leagues.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL
After a good win away to Mitchels in the opening round of the Town League our B team’s 2nd (.v. O’Rahillys) and 3rd (.v. Na Gaeil) round games did not go ahead due to a fixtures overlap with the Minors and U21s.
The semi final of the Co. League, against Rathmore, is fixed for Friday (18th July) evening but the next round of the MF Championship is also fixed for the same evening (assuming we get through to that round). Check Club Website for updates.
U21 FOOTBALL
We travel to Cahersiveen on this Wednesday evening(16th July) for a quarter final Co. Championship clash against South Kerry. Throw in 7pm.
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 at 9.30pm.
LOTTO
Last Monday week’s (7th July) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 4, 10, 19 and 31.
The €20 Prizes went to Michael & Joan Casey, Denis Sayers, Danny Carroll and TJ & Mary Sheehan, all c/o Club Rockies; and Catherine McCarthy, c/o Carmel Quilter.
SYMPATHY
Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of Paddy Commane, Rock Street (father of Club members Paudie and Ed and one of Rock Street’s oldest residents) and Ellen (Nellie) Brosnan (nee O’Brien), O’Rahillys Villas (mother-in-law of the late Garry Fernane Jnr) who died during the past week.
