.Photographer Adrienne McLoughlin with Denis O’Regan and Anne Hoare at ‘Ag Féachaint Siar’, the Austin Stacks Centenary Celebrations exhibition at Tralee Library on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE centenary celebrations for Austin Stacks GAA club are coming to an end, but not without showing what an eventful year it has been for the Rock club.
An exhibition was opened at Tralee Library by Chairman of Austin Stack Liam Lynch on Tuesday night, with images from socials, medal presentations, tournaments and much more which formed part of marking the milestone year.
“It’s taken months to put together,” said the woman behind the exhibition, Mairead Fernane. “We had to collect the photographs and they came from many different sources. Adrienne McLoughlin provided the bulk of them but there were events she wasn’t at so I had to get them off people who were there. I think it’s a good exhibition that gives a fair reflection of what we did during 2017. I hope everybody else will be as pleased with it as I am.”
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“What I wanted is that when you walk in the room here is that you’re hit with a wall of black and amber and I think that has happened. It’s been worth every minute of the work,” said Mairead.
The exhibition will run until Saturday, March 3, and is a must-see for the black and amber family. Scroll down for photos…
Contributor Eddie Barrett — with some of his photos on display — and Jimmy O’Mahony at ‘Ag Féachaint Siar’, the Austin Stacks Centenary Celebrations exhibition at Tralee Library on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean.John Breen and Tim Guiheen at ‘Ag Féachaint Siar’, the Austin Stacks Centenary Celebrations exhibition at Tralee Library on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot CreanDenis O’Connor with a collage of photos — from the unveiling of a tribute to his late father Denny last year at the Stacks clubhouse — which is part of ‘Ag Féachaint Siar’, the Austin Stacks Centenary Celebrations exhibition at Tralee Library. Photo by Dermot Crean.County Librarian Tommy O’Connor with Austin Stacks GAA Chairman Liam Lynch at ‘Ag Féachaint Siar’, the Austin Stacks Centenary Celebrations exhibition at Tralee Library on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot CreanSome old programmes which are part of ‘Ag Féachaint Siar’, the Austin Stacks Centenary Celebrations exhibition at Tralee Library. Photo by Dermot Crean
.Most of the team behind ‘A Centenary History 1917-2017’ of Austin Stacks GAA Club at its launch in the clubhouse at Connolly Park on Friday night. From left; Tadhg McMahon, Martin Collins, Eddie Barrett, Seamus Smith, Billy Ryle, Adrienne McLoughlin and Tim Slattery (missing are Tony O’Keeffe and Kerry O’Shea). Photo by Dermot Crean
THE Austin Stacks faithful gathered in the clubhouse in Connolly Park for the launch of a book nearly two years in the making.
Austin Stacks ‘A Centenary History 1917-2017’ is now available and it’s a superb book full of photographs, profiles of past players, club officers and the club history which will no doubt find its way into thousands of homes this Christmas.
Speaking at the launch, Billy Ryle, one of the committee that put the book together, paid tribute to all who made a contribution to the project.
He said they held their first meeting on March 11, 2016, and had worked tirelessly since to do justice to the history of the famous Rock club.
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“Tonight we are proud to present a beautiful book of aesthetic appeal, superb photography and a captivating narrative from beginning to end,” said Billy.
He paid tribute to Tadhg McMahon and Martin Collins’ leadership, energy, determination and passion to get the project over the line. He praised Seamus Smith for his information technology expertise, Adrienne McLoughlin for her photographic input and Kerry O’Shea for bringing the heroes to life with his words.
Billy thanked Tony O’Keeffe for his well-researched preface, Tim Slattery for his incredible collection of stats and facts and Eddie Barrett for his profile of Austin Stack and array of photos from down the years.
Other contributors include Mairead Fernane, the late Paddy Drummond, Michael Hayes, Colm Mangan, Ann O’Callaghan Eager, Noreen Power, Matt Leen, John Barry, Ger Collard, Brian Neenan, Joe Joe Barrett, Brian Caball and Liam Lynch.
The committee dedicated the first copy off the printing press to all the deceased members of the club. The book ensures they will never be forgotten.
The price is €25 and is available from Austin Stacks GAA Club and from usual outlets including Paudie Commane’s Book Shop on Rock Street. Price €25. Scroll down for photos…
Colm Mangan, Dan Dwyer, Fergus Dillon, Michael Lynch and Ger McNamara at the launch of ‘A Centenary History’ of Austin Stacks GAA Club in the clubhouse at Connolly Park on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Lorraine Healy, John Tobin, Richard Healy and Ena Healy at the launch of ‘A Centenary History’ of Austin Stacks GAA Club in the clubhouse at Connolly Park on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanJoan Naughton, Breda O’Brien and Agnes Breen at the launch of ‘A Centenary History’ of Austin Stacks GAA Club in the clubhouse at Connolly Park on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Morgan O’Connell, Eamonn O’Reilly, Eamonn Linnane and Mike Casey at the launch of ‘A Centenary History’ of Austin Stacks GAA Club in the clubhouse at Connolly Park on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.
.Looking forward to Friday night’s book launch at the Austin Stacks Clubhouse on Friday night were Seamus Smith, Billy Ryle, Mairead Fernane, Tadhg McMahon, Martin Collins, Kerry O’Shea, Tim Slattery and Adrienne McLoughlin. Photo by Dermot Crean
FRIDAY should see a huge crowd of Rockies converge on their Connolly Park headquarters at 8pm for another event to mark the centenary of the club.
This time it’s for the launch of a book which is sure to be in many a Christmas stocking on December 25.
The Austin Stacks Centenary 1917-2017 Book is a fantastic 400 pages packed with photographs, profiles of past players (hurling, ladies, juveniles & seniors), club officers, club history and stats all telling the remarkable story of one of Ireland’s most famous clubs from humble beginnings in Joanie’s field, finding a home in Connolly Park before chronicling the recent development of the Nuns Field.
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“This centenary book was written as a tribute to each and every person who has contributed to the Austin Stack Club,” said club secretary Elma Nix. “Every member and supporter of the club over the period of one hundred years is valued. Many people played very significant roles in our great club as players and officials. Many others worked quietly and diligently in the background.”
“Many were unwavering supporters of our teams in barren and golden times. Every person was in the thoughts of the editorial team when this book was being compiled. It was not possible to mention everybody by name or to record every contribution. But, let there be no doubt about it, every person to whom the Rock Club is special – past or present, living or deceased – is included in the one hundred year story of the Austin Stack Club,” said Elma.
The price is €25 and you can get your hands on it on Friday. You can pre-order the book by texting Elma Nix on 086 1053300.
.Angela and Pa Fitzgerald (1950 medal winner) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
THERE was a packed clubhouse at Connolly Park on Friday night as Austin Stacks celebrated the players who won All-Ireland minor medals with Kerry down the years.
With the club celebrating its centenary and the minor competition finishing this year, it was a fitting time to honour the 27 players who have won 34 medals — from the sextet of John Paul Doyle, Frank O’Neill, Jimmy Gawksie Gorman, Eddie Barrett and Tim O’Sullivan and Brendan Reidy in 1931, to this year’s heroes; Ciaran O’Reilly, Michael Slattery and Dylan Casey.
Kerry minor medal winners Sean Ryan (2014), Ferdia O’Brien (2015, 2016), Ciaran O’Reilly, Michael Slattery and Dylan Casey (2017) and Jack Morgan (2014, 2015) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Chairman of Austin Stacks GAA Club welcomed everyone and said occasions like these were very important to acknowledge the achievements of the past and present.
“To those representing family members from generations long past, it is important that those younger in age reflect upon, recognise and celebrate the achievements of these people, many from such staunch Rockie families as the Barretts, Reidys, Ryans Barrys, Gormans, Doyles and more,” he said.
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Referring to the more recent All-Ireland medal winners of the past few years he said; “Keep in mind that when whatever chairman or administrator, in the decades and centuries to come, decide to update the history of the Rock, your names and achievements will be listed and never forgotten.”
MCs Timmy Sheehan and Andrew Morrissey did a great job in introducing and interviewing the players and afterwards there was food, music, a few drinks and a lot of talk about football in the bar.
The roll of honour is as follows (scroll down for photos):
• Brendan Reidy — 1931, ’32, ’33
• Frank O’Neill — 1931, ’32
• Jimmy Gawksie Gorman — 1931
• John Paul Doyle — 1931, ’32
• Eddie Barrett — 1931
• Tim O’Sullivan — 1931
• Sean McCarthy — 1932
• Joe Ryan — 1946
• Tom Moriarty (capt.) — 1946
• Joe Flaherty — 1946
• Kevin Barry — 1950
• Pa Fitzgerald — 1950
• Bobby Miller — 1950
• Paddy O’Donnell — 1950
• Henry McKinney — 1962, ’63
• Mike Counihan — 1980
• Liam Kearns — 1980
• David Charles — 1980
• Mike Crowley — 1980
• Pa Laide — 1988
• Kieran Browne — 1988
• Jerry Lynch — 1994
• Sean Ryan — 2014
• Jack Morgan — 2014, ’15
• Ferdia O’Brien — 2015, ’16
• Ciaran O’Reilly — 2017
• Dylan Casey — 2017
• Michael Slattery — 2017
Noel O’Connell, Denis O’Regan, Gene O’Donnell and Eamon Linnane at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Jerry, Jerry, Miriam and Cian Lynch at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Nuala Liston (accepting on behalf of Frank O’Neill) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Tim Slattery (accepting on behalf of Jimmy Gawksie Gorman) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Club Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Angela and Margaret Leahy (accepting on behalf of Brendan Reidy) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Robert O’Brien (accepting on behalf of John Paul Doyle) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Club Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Eddie Barrett (accepting on behalf of Eddie Barrett) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Denis and Eoin O’Sullivan (accepting on behalf of Tim O’Sullivan) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Eamon Linnane (accepting on behalf of Sean McCarthy) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Club Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Breda Conway (accepting on behalf of her father Joe Ryan) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Joe Flaherty (accepting on behalf of his father Joe) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Fergus Moriarty (accepting on behalf of his father Tom) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Gene O’Donnell (accepting on behalf of his uncle Paddy) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Kevin and Sarah Barry (accepting on behalf of their father Kevin) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Maura Miller (accepting on behalf of Bobby Miller) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Pa Fitzgerald at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Anthony O’Keeffe (accepting on behalf of Henry McKinney) at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Liam Kearns at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Mike Counihan at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Mike Crowley at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to David Charles at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Pa Laide at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Kieran Browne at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Jerry Lynch at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Sean Ryan at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Jack Morgan at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Ferdia O’Brien at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Ciaran O’Reilly at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Dylan Casey at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanClub Chairman Liam Lynch presenting a medal to Michael Slattery at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanWayne Quillinan with 2017 Kerry minors Michael Slattery, Dylan Casey and Ciaran O’Reilly at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanThe medals presented at the Austin Stacks All-Ireland Minor Winners Celebration Night in the clubhouse on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanThe 1931 Kerry All-Ireland minor football champions.
BISHOP Ray Browne will celebrate a Centenary Mass at the Austin Stack’s Club in Connolly Park on this Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Following the Mass the Bishop will bless the Nun’s field. It is fitting that the blessing will be performed by Bishop Ray Browne as the field was part of the Mercy Convent and was purchased from the Bishop’s Trust.
The purchase of the Nuns Field was a dream come true for the Stacks Club. Efforts to secure a second pitch had been ongoing since the eighties and many officials and members have toiled in the intervening years to bring it to fruition.
It will help to cater for the club’s ever-growing membership, particularly the Youth of the Club whom they hope will take it forward for the next one hundred years. Everyone is welcome on Tuesday night, Rockie or not!
