Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club News

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Con Barrett fields the ball during the county final. Photo by Dermot Crean

Senior County Championship Final 

Austin Stacks 0-13

Kerins O’Rahillys 0-10

Last Sunday saw us take the field in this years much anticipated Senior County Final against local rivals Austin Stacks.

A hammer blow struck for William Harmon and O’Rahillys came in the final stretches of the warm-up when their rangy wing forward Gavin O’Brien tweaked a hamstring.

The final was underway before most people noticed that Cian Sayers had replaced him. A second major blow wasn’t long in following.

The confrontation between midfielders David Moran and Joe O’Connor was one of the most eagerly awaited subplots ahead of derby day.

The young Stacks man made his first surge from midfield and eager not to give any psychological ground, Moran hared after him, got in a tangle of legs and limped out of the game with a groin injury.

Either way, it removed from the fray a pair of the final’s most potent ball winners and carriers, and in doing so completely upset our game plan with the men in blue forced to bring influential full forward Tommy Walsh to midfield for long periods.

It was Austin Stacks who got off to a flying start and Michael O’Gara had his side a point up inside the first minute.

O’Rahilly’s responded well and a Jack Savage free had the scores level by the second minute.

However, boosted by the injury of key O’Rahilly’s midfielder David Moran, Stacks scored the next two points – a free from Darragh O’Brien and a superb Fiachna Mangan effort had the Rockies two points ahead by the 10th minute.

However, Savage popped over his second free of the afternoon – a well-taken score from near the sideline – to narrow the deficit to one heading into the first waterbreak.

A Barry John Keane point in the 18th minute – William Harmon’s side’s first from play – levelled the scoreboard, but an O’Brien free and a close-range Donaghy effort had Stacks two points ahead yet again.

Moments later, hearts were in mouths at the Strand Road side of the ground, but Shane Foley did superbly well to deny O’Brien the opening goal.

At the other end, after a quick counterattack, Keane slotted over his second point to make it a one-point game seven minutes before half-time.

Two O’Brien frees killed O’Rahilly’s’ momentum as Wayne Qullinan’s side opened up a three-point lead in injury-time.

With the last kick of the first half, Brendan O’Sullivan put four points between the two teams, a stylish point off his left to make it 0-8 to 0-4 in favour of the Stacks.

In the opening 30 minutes, Stacks were effective in their tactic of kicking the ball high and long into Kieran Donaghy, resulting in scoring four from play and winning numerous frees from the approach.

After the restart, O’Rahilly’s came out all guns blazing, and Conor Hayes brought us to within three points after what was the first attack of the closing 30 minutes.

Frees from O’Brien and substitute Seán Quilter (two), and a Joseph O’Connor point cancelled out a Savage free as Stacks opened up a comfortable looking six-point lead at the second half water break.

Three late Jack Savage points and a Cormac Coffey effort, either side of an O’Brien free – his fifth of the afternoon – gave O’Rahilly’s a fighting chance. But Stacks defended well and held off a late search for an the all-important equalising goal to secure a three-point win.

For the men from Strand Road it was a day that Lady Luck completely deserted them, the loss of Moran and O’Brien robbed them of two of our biggest threats, in addition to that Con Barrett also picked up a knock, and it was visible to all he was not right on his return to the fray.

Despite this our troops battled bravely to the end and must take great heart in this years run. They can hold their heads high as they did their club and themselves proud.

AUSTIN STACKS: Wayne Guthrie; Colin Griffin, Dylan Casey (capt), Jack O’Shea; Paul O’Sullivan, Conor Jordan, Barry Shanahan; Joseph O’Connor (0-1), Greg Horan; Michael O’Gara (0-1), Fiachna Mangan (0-1), Brendan O’Sullivan (0-1); Shane O’Callaghan, Kieran Donaghy (0-1), Darragh O’Brien (0-6, five frees).

Subs: Seán Quilter (0-2, one free, one mark) for Shane O’Callaghan (42 mins), Jack Morgan for Griffin (47 mins), Michael O’Donnell for O’Gara (48 mins), Adam Curran for Brendan O’Sullivan (53 mins), Armin Heinrich for O’Brien (65 mins)

KERINS O’RAHILLY’S: Shane Foley; Patrick Begley, Ross O’Callaghan (capt), Cormac Coffey (0-1); Darragh McElligott, Shane Brosnan, Con Barrett; David Moran, Tom Hoare; Cian Sayers, Jack Savage (0-6, five frees), Gearóid Savage; Barry John Keane (0-2), Tommy Walsh, Conor Hayes (0-1).

Subs: Diarmuid O’Sullivan for Moran (inj, 7 mins), Shane McElligott for Gearoid Savage (53 mins).

Denny Falvey who sent best wishes to Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club for the Co. Final. He played with the O Rahillys in the 1950’s, was captain in ‘55. Played in 4 KCC Finals with O Rahillys winning in ‘53, ’54 and ‘57 , losing in ‘56. They also qualified for the ‘58 final after beating South Kerry who objected and were allowed go through instead.

LADIES NOTES

Thank you to everyone  who came to support our Senior men and management last Sunday. Great to see such brilliant support and so much blue and white decorating Austin Stack Park.

Our future Blues and their families got behind our team and showed them how proud we are and gave them plenty of support and energy that our team deserves.

Kerins O’ Rahilly’s U12s Mia Molloy and Sophie Culloty with U5 Max Molloy at last Sunday’s Co. Final v Stacks

Ella and Rian Carroll Dad’s top fans …Ryan ‘Chuckie’ Carroll

We were very unfortunate in losing two of our key players Gavin O’Brien just before the game and David Moran in the first few minutes. Sadly the result didn’t go our way with our neighbours Austin Stacks winning by 3 points.

Thank you to Will, all the management team and all of the Senior Squad for all your hard work and for bringing us all on a fantastic journey.

We have had an amazing time during Championship and have great memories of 2021. You are wonderful role models for the next generation and represent us well!

We are looking forward to seeing you in action again in 2022 as you give your all to give our community more great days!

Kerins O’ Rahilly’s Shane Brosnan with his little smilers Sophie and Finn

Billy Donnelly letting everyone in A&E know who he was supporting for last week’s Co. Final

Marina Burke and daughter Erin Lynch great Strand Road supporters

Cousin rivalry…Max Molloy and his cousin Grace Ennis

Some of Strand Road’s future players from Fairway Heights showing their support for their senior team and management

Flying the Strand Road flag is Jessa Diggins.

Kerins O’ Rahilly’s U12 Ava O’ Shea wearing her club colours with pride on Club Colour Day at school

Love my club “ ….Kerins O’ Rahilly’s U7 Calum O’ Halloran

Kerins O’ Rahilly’s Mick Raymond R.I.P. holding the Bishop Moynihan Cup

SANTA’S VISIT 
Bishop Moynihan may not have called last week to us but next Sunday, December 12th the Big Man himself, Santa Claus is making his now famed annual visit to Strand Road.

This is not only open to all of our members but also to the girls and boys in the wider community. This as always will be a great day with pressies, a chat with Santa and of course the annual Santa photo.

This year we are very fortunate to have a professional photographer who has kindly volunteered to take that very special snap. Yo never know who you might be lucky to come across on your travels..

Make sure to put this date in your diary and text or what’s app Shirley (086) 8713552 to book your place. Similar to last year because of Covid we will have allocated times for visits. There will be NO charge as always….
NEW MEMBERS always WELCOME TO JOIN!

The late great Jas Murphy R.I.P. who passed away during the week with Seán Walsh and the Lynch family

Jas Murphy Laid to Rest.

Our Clubs Oldest member Jas (James) Murphy passed away peacefully on Wednesday 1st Dec. this week in his adopted Cork. Jas was 98 and as such was The Oldest living Kerry Captain to lift the Sam Maguire Cup aloft in Croke Park.
.  Jas a Strand road man by birth was one of our own.  He was born and reared in Bridge Street in his mother Babe Lucettes Bar.  This premises was better known as “Lourdes.” which many years later became The Abbey Inn.
In his teenage years he played with our club which then was O’Rahillys before his career as a Garda took him to Cork..

There he played club football with Blackpool / St Nicks. and  Garda and subsequently inter county football with Cork. He declared for His native Kerry in 1949. He went on to win 2 munster medal with Kerry and his most famous day on the field of play was on 27th Sept 1953 when he Captained Kerry to their Famous Win over Armagh. in The All-Ireland Football Final.

Another Strand Road man Johnny Foley, Kerins Park played in Goals that day.
Jas and Johnny were lifelong friends.

In later years Jas was honoured by Nemo Rangers when he was elected President of their Club.       As he said himself,      ” A Great Honour for a Kerryman”

He made many trips back to his native Tralee over the years and always maintained the link with The Club.  The Club hosted a function in our Bar/Restaurant in 2012 at which Jas was the guest of honour.

That night In The company of many club stalwarts Jas a gentleman to the core held the crowd in his hand as  he sang songs of old Tralee. That was a special night for all that were there.
We wish to extend our sympathy to his Son Dan and all the Murphy Family at this time.
At Dheis De go raibh a hAnam.

Lotto Results
November 29th

01,05,07,20

No Winner of Jackpot €2,800

No Match  3 winners €25

Draw for 4 €250 December 2021
Sean O Morain
Brian Murphy DD
Denis O Sullivan DD
Tina Conway c/o Philip
Paudie O Keeffe An Riocht

Next Weeks Jackpot €2,900

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