Austin Stacks supporters gearing up for Sunday in the Connolly Park clubhouse. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
A LOVE affair of a different kind will be in bloom for the most romantic weekend of the year when fanatical Austin Stacks support hit the road in search of a St Patrick’s day date in Croke Park.
At least eight buses will depart on Sunday morning for Portlaoise, for the Rock’s All-Ireland semi-final against Ulster champs Slaughtneil.
“We’ve a lot of romantics in the Stacks club and they’re going up to Portlaoise for the weekend. It was either Portlaoise or Paris!” said one of the most vocal Stacks followers, John (Collie) Collins.
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“We always dream at the start of every season but after 20 years of a famine all our wildest dreams are coming through at the moment,” said Collie.
“I haven’t slept a whole pile. I’m very nervous, but we’ve a lot of confidence in the lads. God forbid if we don’t win it will be through no fault of the commitment the players have given us. We’ve had a great year and we really appreciate everything that they’ve done for us,” he said.
“We’re going into the unknown really. Well us as fans don’t know a whole pile about them, so we’re a small bit apprehensive, but it’s a great position to be in. It’s a nice nervousness” he said.
Buses will be pulling out at 10.30am from Connolly Park, Sunday morning and will leave a half an hour after the final whistle.
Before the match, Rockie headquarters will be O’Loughlins Hotel in the centre of Portlaoise, which is about a 15 minute walk to O’Moore Park.
From O’Loughlins, Austin Stacks fans will make their famous march to the stadium which will be lead by a Garda escort.
When pressed for a match prediction, Collie was optimistic “a four point win for the Rock!” he said.
We can expect hear this song being sung over the weekend on the streets of Portlaoise. Here’s a mash-up video (below) of the fans chanting ‘Stand Up If You Love Rockies’ in Killarney, Tralee and Cork. Scroll further down for more photos…
Young Austin Stacks fans, were, in front: Amelia O’Callaghan. Back from left: Matthew Browne, Aisling Browne, Amy Scanlon and Greg Scanlon. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Young Austin Stacks fans, were, from left, front: Mark Carmody, Declan Lacey and Laura Somers. Back: Paraic Linnane and David Burke. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kieran Donaghy accepts gloves and socks for the Stacks team, courtesy of Hennebery’s Sports, from Ciaran Hennebery .
