The Rock Is Ready: Street Of Champions Decked Out For Sunday

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Margaret McIntyre of Loramar who has had a shop on Rock Street for 30 years is showing her colours for Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Margaret McIntyre of Loramar who has had a shop on Rock Street for 30 years is showing her colours for Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean

FROM the Brogue to St Brendan’s Church, Rock Street is decked out in black and amber.

While there is bunting aplenty and flags hanging from every pole, businesses on the ‘Street Of Champions’ are also passionate in showing their support.

We all know about the Kirby family’s passion for the Rock club, but TraleeToday.ie took a walk up the street and called into a few other businesses who are hoping they can make it 12 titles on Sunday.

“I’m 32 years in Rock Street so I’m half a Rock woman really,” said Margaret McIntyre of Loramar Gift Shop.

“A lot of my customers would come from the area and they’re really excited. I’ll support them of course on Sunday and I’d say they’ll win,” said Margaret from Ballymac.

Malachy Nagle of Flynn's Interiors, who was a wing-back on the last Austin Stacks team to win a county championship final back in 1994. Photo by Dermot Crean

Malachy Nagle of Flynn’s Interiors, who was a wing-back on the last Austin Stacks team to win a county championship final back in 1994. Photo by Dermot Crean

Further up the street there’s another person who, while not a Rock man by birth (not even a Kerry man by birth!), is Stacks through and through.

Malachy Nagle, of O’Flynn’s Interiors, was wing back on the Stacks team that beat Dr Crokes in that replayed final 20 years ago to win the county title. He has some fond memories.

“It was 20 years ago, but it was like yesterday. Crokes were hot favourites, but we had a great management team that instilled the belief that we could win. Crokes were All-Ireland champions two years before that, but we went in full of confidence,” said Malachy, a native of West Cork.

“We drew the first day in Tralee so we had to go to Killarney, as total outsiders, but we gave a great team effort. Pa Laide had a great game that day at centre back I remember. It was a great day and a great night!” he said.

“Unfortunately, we were playing Clonmel Commercials the following Sunday [in the Munster Championship] and since we were celebrating well into the week, it didn’t give us a chance to recover and they caught us by a point.”

So what of Sunday’s game?

“Forwards and backs are playing very well and Stephen Stack is a great coach. Stacks to win it by three or four points…please God,” said Malachy who added that many people, he has spoken to, are confident of a Rock win.

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Galvin’s Shop is steeped in Stacks history.

The Galvin family has a rich association with the black and amber, so we called in to Galvin’s Shop to ask John Gentlemen about the atmosphere on the street in the run-up to the big game.

“It’s been fantastic, it’s really building up with excitement  and anticipation. We’re all hoping for the right result. The boys have done a great job putting up all the flags and bunting,” said John, son of the late Norrie Gentleman (nee Galvin, who passed away earlier this year).

John said he’s looking forward to the big parade on Sunday and thinks they’ll win.

“Twenty years is a huge wait for the club. It’ll be tight  but I think they’ll do it. It’ll be great for the town if they do,” said John.

Continued below…

A group with the Bishop Moynihan Cup at the Austin Stacks clubhouse on the night they last won the County Championship back in 1994. Included are Gar Clifford, Mary Morgan, Mikey Sheehy, Malachy Nagle, Seamus 'Mogs' O'Mahony, Mark Collins, Donie Morgan, Billy O'Lehane, Mr and Mrs Eoin Moynihan and Aidan Lucid (front). Photo courtesy of Aidan Lucid

A group with the Bishop Moynihan Cup at the Austin Stacks clubhouse on the night they last won the County Championship back in 1994. Included are Gar Clifford, Mary Morgan, Mikey Sheehy, Malachy Nagle, Seamus ‘Mogs’ O’Mahony, Mark Collins, Donie Morgan, Billy O’Lehane, Mr and Mrs Eoin Moynihan and Aidan Lucid (front). Photo courtesy of Aidan Lucid

Rockie stalwarts Aidan and David Lucid outside their business on Rock Street. Photo by Dermot Crean

Rockie stalwarts Aidan and David Lucid outside their business on Rock Street. Photo by Dermot Crean

Even further up the street is a family with great associations to the club.

David Lucid, of Lucid Insurances has been involved in Austin Stacks for nearly 50 years since he came in from Ballyheigue to work.

“I came in and started playing hurling with the Stacks. I was involved in a few county finals and then started training the young fellas. I was also treasurer of the club for a few years with the late Jimmy Barry and Tom Moriarty.”

David is a passionate about the Stacks and is full of anticipation for Sunday.

“Everyone’s on edge as regards the result. It’ll be very close. Mid Kerry are strong with very good individual players so if  we win it it’ll be by a narrow margin. It depends on whether Donaghy plays well too, as well as a few other factors,” said David.

One Comment

  1. I can’t understand you were in rock st and never visited the Chairman of the Stacks.
    Aiden o Connor Greyhound Bar

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