FAOI 6: (i) The Rock Under 6 footballers will be in action at 11am in Caherslee on Sunday. (ii) Our evening football sessions for the Under 6s will continue ag 5.45pm on Thursday i bPáirc Uí Chonghaile. See you all, boys!
FAOI 8: (i) We’ll be in Caherslee again on Sunday ag 11am. (ii) The County Board’s round-robin Under 8 Go Games Blitz will be held ag 6.15pm on Wednesday in our own Connolly Park.
FAOI 10: (i) 11am football on Sunday next. (ii) No Go Games this Thursday….just ordinary training at 5.45pm in Connolly Park.
FAOI 12: (i) The 2nd phase of the County League will commence this Sunday. (ii) Training continues at 5.30pm in Caherslee on Tuesday and on Thursday.
FAOI 14: (i) Division 10 county final: Our Bs took on Laune Rangers B in the division 10 final in Listry on Saturday evening.
This was the third time the sides had met in recent weeks and once again this match was took the same course as the previous games with our younger and lighter team just coming up heartbreakingly short at the final whistle.
In the two league games we led at the short whistle…in Cluain we kept the Killorglin boys scoreless and to just a few points in Connolly Park…but the strength of the Rangers under 14s told in the final minutes as they powered past our boys to get vital late scores to win at the death on both previous occasions!
Surely it wouldn’t happen a third time? Both teams were a little nervous during the opening exchanges. Our first point (7th minute) was scored by Jordan Kissane and then Rangers pointed twice before a ‘brace’ by James Fernane, followed by another fine point by Jordan, put us back in front.
A lovely passing move out of defence ended when Connor Kavanagh raced past his marker to split the posts and now it was all Black’n’Amber!
A fine catch in midfield and a quick pass from James Fernane found the flying Jordan Barry who side-stepped two defenders before hitting the back of the net. Armin Heinrick and Jordan Barry were lording the middle third of the pitch and when Rangers broke downfield they found Peter Kearns in tackle mode; Peter turned over so much ball that we thought that he had a ‘double’ on the field! Daniel Breen, Luke Chester, Conor Horan and Ciarán Kelliher were superb in defence; they were well able to outrun much bigger lads to the ball and to set up good attacks.
Greg Scanlon made a few vital saves between the sticks in both halves and his accurate kick outs kept the Blues on the back foot; he decided not to do a ‘Stephen Cluxton’ in this game and stayed inside the 20m line for most of the game at least…much to the relief of Ronan Kavanagh! Jordan K finished the half with one last point to leave the score at 1-6 to 0-2 at halftime. Rangers seemed to be in trouble at this stage.
Within a minute of the restart the hard working Shane Bastible, who had caused all sorts of problems for the fullback, fisted ‘Star’-like to the Rangers’ net to give the Rockies a ten point lead. Mighty! Unfortunately, agus ochón agus ochón, before our next point, from the boot of Jordan Barry fifteen minutes later, the Killorglin crew had turned the game around with 2-3 and, faraor, it was backs-to-the-wall time again!
A long range kick which looked as if it was sailing over the bar deceived Greg in goals and dropped down and under and into our net! Rangers in front for only the second time in the game! Charlie Curran, Ryan Foley and John Hanafin fought bravely but two more points and a point blank save by Greg had us pinned back with time almost up.
Luke Chester had a chance but was crowded out as Rangers dropped players back, Christopher Nolan and Matt Browne tried hard but every pass was met with a wall of Blue defenders.
There was still time for Jordan Barry to point one last time but we just couldn’t get the badly needed goal, though James Fernane came agonisingly close díreach ag séideach deireanach fheadóg an réiteora. A fantastic game of football for the neutrals but heartbreak for the young Rockies who played out of their skins once again only to loose by the smallest of margins. We are, however, extremely proud of their brave and fantastic effort; they played like true Rockmen and the experience gained will stand to them in future battles and in close encounters! An Charraig go deo! AdeS B: 2-8; Laune Rangers B: 3-7. Foireann chróga na Carraige: Greg Scanlon, Daniel Breen, Peter Kearns, Conor Horan, Ciarán Kelliher, Luke Chester, Ryan Foley, Armin Heinrick, Jordan Barry (capt), Charlie Curran, John Hanafin, James Fernane, Connor Kavanagh, Matt Browne, Christopher Nolan, Shane Bastible, Jordan Kissane.
(ii) No…no…no training this week due to secondary school examinations but from next Monday onwards we will be moving up a gear as the Central League is due to start in mid-June and An Fhéile Náisiúnta Peile is fast approaching (26th June). (iii) Please return all Féile sponsorship cards and money asap. Thanks to all players and parents who gave their time to our Féile bag packing so far…go raibh míle maith agaibh. (iii) Please support our generous Féile sponsors: Barry’s Bakery (Rock St), Terry’s Butchers (Oakpark) and BurgerKing/Tralee Food Court (Mileheight). (iv) Foireann A na Carraige: Dáithí Oba; Craig Ó Tíocháin, Dara de Barra-Breathnach, Dáithí de Búrca; Dónall Draghici, Pádraic Ó Lionnáin, Eoghan Ó Cearúill; Leon Shalemba, Seán Cuiltéir (captaen); Cian Puirséil, Dónall Ó Ruairc, Adam Ó Curráin; Conchúr Ó Mír, Liam Ó Nualláin, Lúcás Chester, Seosamh de Bastábla, Tomás Ó Fearaíl, Jordan de Barra, Séamus Ó Fearnáin, Gréagóir Ó Scannláin.
FAOI 16/18: Good wishes to all our club players who’re putting in the study hours…state and school examinations are just a few weeks away. Is fiú go mór an dua! (the effort is well worthwhile)! The Under 16 county league is only a month away.
AN CAMPA ‘CÚL’: The 2015 Kerry GAA Cúl Camp will take place at Austin Stack Club, Connolly Park, from July 6th to July 10th.
AN CHÉAD CHOMAOINEACH: Congratulations to all our young players and their families who recently received their First Holy Communion. Bail ó Dhia oraibh!
NA MADRAÍ: The Top of The Rock was a-buzzing on Friday last with cheerful chatter, rustling notes and graceful greyhounds! Mórbhuíochas for your great support. ‘Twas a great Rock occasion and an enjoyable family night out.
