IT’s been a crazy last few days for the newly crowned county champions, Austin Stacks. On Wednesday, members of the team visited schools in town with the Bishop Moynihan Cup.
The first port of call, was CBS Clounalour, where a number of players were past pupils. Next up was Holy Family National School, Listellick NS, Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn and finishing off the primary schools was a huge crowd in Scoil Eoin.
“It’s a great honour for us, it has been 20 years and we’re the lucky players that get the honour of bringing the cup around the schools,” said Austin Stacks player, Mikey Collins.
“We’re Austin Stacks, but this is all about the town, we want to drive the town forward in a GAA sense. We’ll enjoy this day and hopefully we’ll have many more days like it to come,” he said.
The players then headed for CBS The Green, where an amazing 18 of the 21 players who played on Sunday went to the school.
And finally, it was the turn of Mercy Mounthawk, where there was also a massive reception for the victorious Rockies.
Days like this have been a long time coming for one of the veterans in the side, Darragh Long.
“I said it after the game on Sunday that this was more than a club. It’s like a second family,” said Darragh.
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“There has been a mixture of all the different town teams in the schools. It’s great to see all The Rock jerseys in there and the joy it brings to the kids’ faces,” he said.
The touring of schools with the cup signals an end to the fun and games for the players.
The Stacks players were back at training Wednesday evening with eyes now firmly fixed on a Munster club semi final date against Cork champions Ballincollig in two weeks time.
Scroll down for a video of the team touring the schools where Barry Shanahan, Wayne Guthrie, Kieran Donaghy and Darragh Long talk to pupils. PLUS, there’s 31 photos below from their visits…
Former Stacks player, Jackie Power (centre), drove the players around to all the different schools, here he is with the team along with pupils of Listellick National School. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks player and former pupil of Listellick National School, Greg Horan, with his brother who goes to the school and was the mascot for the Austin Stacks team last Sunday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Austin Stacks players and former pupils of Listellick National School with the Bishop Moynihan Cup. From left: Annette Dineen (Principal), Shane O’Callaghan, Aileen Bullman, Greg Horan, Mikey Collins and Pa McCarthy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks player, Pa McCarthy, with Niall Fitzmaurice and Jordan Kissane at Listellick NS. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks player and former pupil of Listellick National School, Greg Horan with the Bishop Moynihan Cup and excited pupils. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The Austin Stacks players who visited Mounthawk with the Bishop Moynihan Cup. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks players, Ronan and Barry Shanahan with their sister Sinead. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks player, Greg Horan, with from left: Ferdia O’Brien, Gearoid Savage, Fergal Ryan and Paul Nolan. Photo by Gavin O’connor.
Austin Stacks players, Wayne Guthrie, Darragh Long and Daniel Bohane with former Kerry and Kerins O’Rahilly’s player, Micheal Quirke’s two sons, Ethan and Cameron (note lack of smiles, your daddy has taught you well lads!). Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Kids from CBS Clounalour with the Bishop Moynihan Cup. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks players, Barry Shananhan, Pa McCarthy and William Kirby with some young Rockies in CBS Clounalour. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks players with the Bishop Moynihan Cup and pupils of CBS Clounalour. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The Bishop Moynihan Cup in CBS Clounalour. From left, In front, Cian Heaslip and Abbey Conway. Back: Barry Shananhan, Patricia Sharpe, Susan Fernane, Laura O’Keeffe and Millie Lynch, Jonathan Conway and Sarah Behan.
Austin Stacks players, Darragh Long and Barry Shanahan with pupils of CBS Clounalour, from left: Rian Duffy, Tommy Byrne, Robbie Molloy, Millie Lynch, Millie Walsh and Aoife O’Connell. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Pupils from CBS Clounalour, with the Bishop Moynihan Cup. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks players in the Senior Infants class of CBS Clounalour. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks players, Wayne Guthrie, Alan Duggan and Barry Shanahan with students of CBS The Green. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Students of, CBS The Green, with the Bishop Moynihan Cup. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks players with the Bishop Moynihan Cup in CBS The Green. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks players, Darragh Long and Mikey Collins with Dara Hogan who is the son of former Stacks player, TJ Hogan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks players in Holy Family with pupils and school principal, Ed O’Brien (father of Stacks forward Darragh O’Brien). Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Pupils of Holy Family National School with Austin Stacks player, Shane O’Callaghan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The 4th class of Holy Family National School with some of the Austin Stacks players. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The 5th class of Holy Family National School with some of the Austin Stacks players. Note the young Narie on the top left. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The 6th class of Holy Family National School with some of the Austin Stacks players. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The 6th class of Holy Family National School with some of the Austin Stacks players. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks player and past pupil of Holy Family National School, Wayne Guthrie with, from left: Ed O’Brien (Principal), Siobhan Morrissey, Maureen Mawe, Marian Costello and Linda Hanifin.
Austin Stack players with the infant classes in Holy Family National School. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks player, Darragh Long, with pupils of, Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn. From left: Aoife Dillane, Alex McNamara and Heather McNamara. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks player, William Kirby, with in front, Micheal Cotter, Cara and Billy Kirby. Back, Grace Kirby. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Austin Stacks players, Darragh Long and Kieran Donaghy with Rockies in Scoil Eoin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
