LÁ FHÉILE PÁDRAIG: The marching season comes again! Sea, beidh an club ag máirseáil ar an 17ú Márta in onóir do Naomh Pádraig, Aspal na hÉireann. Have your hats, flags and banners…and trumpets and drums and bodhráin…at the ready for the The Rock’s March march down The Yellow Road!

PEIL FAOI 7: U7 football as usual next Sunday morning in Mounthawk. Come along at 10am to be part of the fun and sport. Beidh fáilte roimh gach éinne….everybody welcome. Hoping to see you all again! All action will be OUTDOORS after Lá ‘le Pádraig. Yipííí!

PEIL FAOI 9: (i) Our U9s will be in action again, as usual, next Sunday in Mounthawk. (ii) The big news for this U8 group (and the U10 boys) is that we will travelling to Maynooth for their club tournament on April 22nd and (iii) we’ll also go on our usual annual trip to Kilmacud Crokes (BÁC). Excitement ahead!

PEIL FAOI 10: (i) Sunday morning football as usual! (ii) Our U10 boys will take part in the Maynooth GAA Tournament on April 22nd. (iii) We look forward to making our trip to Dublin’s Kilmacud Crokes (BÁC) on the 7th May.

ALL-STARS: The Austin Stack Club All-Stars were back in action again on Sunday last with the introduction of some new warm up games. Even though it was only our second day of training we had a few stand-out performances in the kicking and catching practices and, no doubt, everyone will improve even more as we continue our training sessions in the CB Primary School, Clounalour, for the next few weeks.

We’ll then move outdoors. The Austin Stack Club All-Stars sessions are designed to help neurodivergent children to connect and flourish while playing sports. So, if you want your child to increase their social participation, make friends and gain confidence, please join us next Sunday, 12thMarch, at 3pm in the CB (Primary) School Hall as we continue this new season. Boys and girls of various ages are encouraged to come along agus beidh fáilte Uí Cheallaigh roimh chách. (Cathal Ó Sé)

PEIL FAOI 11: (i) Last Sunday’s training/coaching was really enjoyable for all, players and coaches. Tá peileadóirí iontacha sa ghrúpa seo! We still encourage every U11 boy in the greater Rock area to come along to The Green CBS Astroturf Pitch on Sunday next at 11am. U11s @ 11.00! Fáilte roimh chách! (ii) U11 County Go-Games (Phase 1) fixtures…sponsored by Lee Strand:
Thursday (6th April) ag 6.30pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Na Mistéalaigh;
Thursday (13th April) ag 6.30pm….Laune Rangers v AdeS (as baile);
Thursday (20th April) ag 6.30pm….Legion v AdeS (as baile);
Thursday (27th April) ag 6.30pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Rathmore;
Thursday (4th May) ag 6.30pm….Milltown/Castlemaine v AdeS (as baile);
The games will be ‘non-competitive’ and no scores will be kept! The ‘silent on the sideline’ rule will apply for all U11 Go-Games….’is binn béal ina thost’ will be the motto!!

PEIL FAOI 13: (i) Tralee/St Brendans Board U13 League…fixtures/results:
DIVISION 1….Sunday (5th)….AdeS: 3-5; Ardfert: 3-10…report below*;
Sunday (12th March) at 4pm in Killeen….Na Gaeil v AdeS;
Sunday (19th March) at 4pm….Na Mistéalaigh v AdeS.
DIVISION 3….Sunday (5th)…..AdeS B: 5-22; Ardfert B: 1-5…report below*;
Sunday (12th March) at 4pm ar an gCillín….AdeS B v Na Gaeil B;
Sunday (19th March) at 4pm….AdeS B v Na Mistéalaigh B.
(iii) U13 County League fixtures…sponsored by Lee Strand:
DIVISION 1….Sunday (26th March) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Kilcummin;
Sunday (2nd April) ag 7pm….Laune Rangers v AdeS (as baile);
Sunday (9th April) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Na Mistéalaigh;
Sunday (16th April) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Legion;
Sunday (23rd April) ag 7pm….Na Gaeil v AdeS (as baile).
DIVISION 9….Sunday (26th March) ag 5.30pm….AdeS B (ag baile) v Kilcummin B;
Sunday (2nd April) ag 5.30pm….Laune Rangers B v AdeS B (as baile);
Sunday (9th April) ag 5.30pm….AdeS B (ag baile) v Na Mistéalaigh B;
Sunday (16th April) ag 5.30pm….AdeS B (ag baile) v Legion B;
Sunday (23rd April) ag 5.30pm….Na Gaeil B v AdeS B (as baile).

(iv) *Reports on U13 Town League games: (a) Our Division 1 team finished just on the wrong side of a close hard-fought match in Connolly Park. Our lads made a good start and were leading by 0-4…1-2 to 0-1…when a 5 minute Ardfert blitz of 3-2 had the visitors in firm control by the end of the 1st quarter. But we must credit our boys for battling back with great gusto and controlling the remainder of the first half, thus narrowing the gap to just two points by half-time…2-4 to 3-3.

The 2nd half was a low-scoring affair with both defences on top and, despite our lads scoring the only goal of the half, Ardfert’s point scoring kept their noses in front. The Rock boys carried the game to Ardfert right to the end and, but for some fine Ardfert goalkeeping and defending, as well as the width of an upright, may well have secured a positive result. Congratulations to Ardfert and thanks to the referee for his handling of the game. Our club’s Player of the Match is Noah Reidy who gave a tireless display i lár na páirce. All 19 players contributed to a brave display.

Training on Tuesday and on Friday in preparation for our next Town League game (away) on Sunday 12thv Na Gaeil.

Our A boys: David Ahern, Eliot Calleja, Tom Dawson, Mark Foley, Conor Hanafin, Diarmuid Hennessy, Oisín Horan, Séamus Keenan, Billy Kirby, Danny Lane, Conor Maguire, Harry Maguire, Conor Murphy, Jayden O’Dowd, Ryan O’Flaherty, Joe O’Halloran, Noah Reidy, Mark Riordan, Liam Swords.

(b) Our Division 3 team recorded an excellent opening round victory last Sunday in Connolly Park. Backboned by our young U2 players, they were undaunted by the step up to the bigger pitch and to the competitive and more physical nature of U13 league football.

In an outstanding all-round team performance we saw scores being contributed from all areas of the pitch and from players sent in from the bench. A solid goalkeeping and defensive unit gave very few chances to the visitors and it was the launchpad for many a Rock score at the other end of the field. Thanks to Ardfert for a good sporting game and to the referee for his handling of the game. Our club’s Player of the Match is Blake Bowler who put in an All-Star performance in both the full forward and half-forward lines as well as i lár na páirce.

(c) ‘Well done’ to all 22 boys….they all got minutes on the pitch and they all contributed despite the rotation necessitated by the eleven aside nature of the game.
Training again on Tuesday and on Friday in preparation for our round two (away) match v Na Gaeil on Sunday 12th.
Our U13 Bs: Blake Bowler, Shane Carey, Michael Carmody, Gearóid Corcoran, Kian Cronin, Ethan Cushen, Conor Hanafin, Albi Gaxha, Oisín Horan, Shea Horan, Luke Kavanagh, Billy Kirby, Tadhg Lucey, Conor Maguire, Harry Maguire, Dylan McEvoy, Zac Moore, Darragh Moriarty, Joe O’Halloran, Oran O’Regan, Tadhg O’Regan, Gerard Teahon. (Dan Ahern/Michael Lynch)

CÚL CAMPS: (i) Our club will host a Kerry Cúl Camp (football) in Connolly Park in July (3rd~7th). (ii) A hurling camp will take place in Tralee in August (7th~11th).

IRELAND LIGHTS UP ~ CLUB WALK: The new initiative, under the patronage of Irish Life, commenced on March 1st. An bhfuil tusa páirteach ann? It will continue for a month during which time people will be encouraged to reach a daily target of 10,000 steps….deich míle coiscéim! People with a high standard/rating will be entered in a worthwhile draw for holiday vouchers. More details later.

FAOI 15: (i) Training continues this week; keep an eye out for the group messages. (ii) Our U15 stalwarts are looking forward to the Mick O’Brien (Nemo Rangers, Cork) Tournament on Saturday next (11thMarch). Fixtures: 11am…AdeS v Nemo Dubh; 12.15pm …AdeS v Carrigaline; 1.45pm…AdeS v Nás na Ríogh (Place of Assembly of the Kings). Beidh 4 chlub eile páirteach san ilchomórtas (tournament): Nemo Glas, Mala, An Ghaeltacht, Oranmore. Kerry, Cork, Galway and Kildare will be represented. The ‘round robin’ games: each half will be 12 minutes long; 15 minutes per half will be played in the finals. Boys, we’ll be facing the best of footballers; we’ll be among the best of clubs; with a little luck, we might even be the best! Enjoy the experience and good luck to everybody.
(iii) U15 County League fixtures…sponsored by Lee Strand:

DIVISION 1B….Sunday (29th March) ag 7pm….Churchill v AdeS (as baile);
Sunday (5th April) ag 7pm….Firies v AdeS (as baile);
Sunday (12th April) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Keel/Listry;
Sunday (19th April) ag 7pm….AdeS (ag baile) v Ballumacelligott;
Sunday (26th April) ag 7pm…AdeS…a bye.

DIVISION 9A….Sunday (29th March) ag 5.30pm….Legion B v AdeS B (as baile);
Sunday (5th April) ag 7pm….Kilcummin B v AdeS B (as baile);
Sunday (12th April) ag 7pm….AdeS B (ag baile) v Emmets B;
Sunday (19th April) ag 7pm….An Ghaeltacht B AdeS B (as baile);
Sunday (26th April) ag 7pm…. AdeS B (ag baile)v Fosadh.
(Ger Hobbert/Michael Lynch)

FAOI 17: ‘Well done’ to our U17 lads v Keel/Listry in the County League. Games still to be played v Killarney Legion, Kenmare Shamrocks (11th March) agus An Ghaeltacht (18ú Márta).

COLÁISTÍ: (i) A brief recap of events down Moyderwell way le gairid: (a) D’éirigh le buachaillí na dara bliana ISK Killorglin a chloí in an away tie which saw them rack up 38 points in a contested victory. (b) A combined team of 1st and 2nd year girls provided a strong exhibition against Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne sa Daingean but unfortunately ní raibh rith an ráis leo ar deireadh. ‘Well done’ to Rockites involved. (c) An tseachtain seo chugainn: a blow by blow description of the first year’s rowing heroics i nGaelcholáiste Luimnigh! (ii) Comhghairdeachas le peileadóirí ban Chnoc an tSeabhaic a bhuaigh Craobh B na Mumhan le déanaí. They came from 0-6 down to defeat Clonakilty by a mere 0-2….2-12 to 2-10….and earn a place in the All-Ireland semi-final. The game will take place in Birr (Contae Uíbh Fhailí) on Saturday 18thMarch and they will face Gorey (Contae Loch Garman). The Rock players on the team: Grace Reidy, Mary Moore, Róise Ní Dhónaill (captaen), Holly O’Brien and Lucy O’Connor. We wish them every success!

SCÓR na nÓG: Tralee District Board competitors will go forward to the county finals on Saturday March 25th at 6pm in Currow. The Munster finals will take place on April 6th and the venue has yet to be confirmed. The All-Ireland finals will be held on Saturday April 15th in the Gleneagle National Events Centre i gCill Airne.

SCÓR na bPÁISTÍ: This is for primary school pupils…daltaí bunscoile…who may perform in the name of the Austin Stack Club. Eolas: many Tralee area competitors will, hopefully, advance to the county semi-finals on the weekend of 14th/15th/16th April. The county final will take place on Sunday April 30th.Competitions: a four-person table quiz team, a grúpa ceoil, solo singing, a five-person (boys or girls) ballad group, a figure dance, a set, a recitation/dán/scéal and, for this year only and on a trial basis, two new categories will be added to Scór na bPáistí (only!), namely, solo music (one tune only) and solo dancing (3 minutes). Any Rockite willing to have a ‘go’?

2023 AUSTIN STACK CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Are you a member of the Austin Stack Club? Mura bhfuil tú i do bhall fós, please, (i) purchase on line via your Club Foireann account or (ii) pay on line via Clubforce (see austinstacks.ie for link) or (iii) sign up for a monthly DD payment or (iv) pay by cash. Club contact/registrar: Bernie Mannix (086 0767415).

OUR CLUB LOTTO: Please, don’t forget: we remind all Rock supporters once again to support the Rock Street Post Office club lotto competition. If The Rock wins the ‘competition,’ our club lottery tickets will be for sale in Rock Street Post Office for the next 3 years. This would greatly help our growing club.

Club supporters need only ask for a token for each transaction completed at the post office…but one must ask…between now and Friday 31st March (less than 4 weeks left)! One puts the token into the Austin Stack Club collection bucket in the post office. By the end of March all the tokens will be counted and the club with the most tokens will be deemed the winner.

Tokens can be requested for the following transactions: €4 tv licence saving stamps, registered letters, parcel postage, bill payments, phone top-ups, phone sales, dog licences, foreign exchange dealings, bank lodgements and withdrawals. (A single postage stamp doesn’t count as a transaction). Please support your club. Thanks to all who support and/or promote the club lotto: (i) An Bhróg, Sráid na Carraige Íochtarach, (ii) Deli Uí Eosa, Cé an Phrionsa, (iii) Carmel Uí Néill and daoine eile, (iv) Ollmhargadh de Barra, Sráid na Carraige Uachtarach, (v) Siopa Leabhar Pháidí Uí Chomáin, Sráid na Carraige Láir, (vi) Bothán na mBuirgéar, Móin a’ Bhaile, (vii) Troscán Uí Fhloinn (Malachy de Nógla), Sráid na Carraige Íochtarach, (viii) www.austinstacks.ie (ix) and/or onhttps://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=X529#Anchor

CLUB SHOP: Official Austin Stack Club merchandise – available to order on www.oneills.com

SINSIR CHIARRAÍ: Sympathies to our county footballers who were pipped by Ard Mhacha ar an Domhnach seo caite. Great to see our Greg getting a ‘go’ and doing well! Better luck, Kerry, in the next game!
SINSIR na CARRAIGE: Best wishes to our club senior team v Na Mistéalaigh on Sunday.

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