SENIOR FOOTBALL: Lying second from bottom on the Co. League table we have to win our last two games in the competition to have any chance of remaining in the Division 1for the coming season. At the moment our R10 game, at home to Kilcummin, has been fixed for next Sunday (25th June) at 2pm with our final round game a fortnight later, away to Gneeveguilla.
B FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-13; Glenflesk 1-12.
This was a classic game of two halves played in Connolly Park on last Friday evening (16th June).. In the first half there were a total of 21 scores (Stacks 2-10; Glenflesk 1-8). In the second half there were just seven scores – Stacks three points to four for the opposition. Glenflesk opened the scoring with a point after just 25 seconds but went into the lead within three minutes with points by Cillian Litchfield and Luke Chester – a lead we never lost thereafter.
We are now still involved in this competition – with two wins – against Glenflesk and Rathmore and a defeat to Gneeveguilla. Seven of our nineteen players who performed on the evening got on the score sheet – with Conor Myers (1-3) and Shane Bastible (1-1) the chief scorers.
Team: Michael Tansley, Ruairi O’Connell (Capt), Niall Fitzmaurice, Seán Moynihan, Joe Reidy, Cillian Litchfield (0-1), Luke Chester (0-2), Shane Carroll (0-1 free), Dean Rusk, Gearóid Sheehan, Shane Bastible (1-1 – one free), Noah Townsend, Donnacha Sayers (0-3 – one free), Pa McCarthy (0-2), Conor Myers (1-3 – penalty goal; one free).
Subs used: Ciarán O’Connell (ht), Andrew Morrissey (36m), Daniel O’Rourke (51m), TJ Hogan (56m).
THE C TEAM: Austin Stacks 2-10 (16); Luane Rangers 6-7 (25).
Friday night saw our gallant Dream Team take on a very good side from Laune Rangers which included, a still very capable Mike Frank Russell at full forward. Our Management team of Aidan and Tommy O’Connor ably assisted by Kevin Francis O’Carroll.A very good match conducted in the best of Sportsmanship, in a clean competitive game. We had a couple of crucial injuries but still had a decent and strong team. Led from goals by Brian Ó Hargàin with Shane Kelliher Keelin Pierce and Tom McLoughlin, Billy Stack Joe Looby and Evan Foley the backs, at midfield were Enda Cahill and Damien Hogan , while our forwards consisted of Brian O’Sullivan Joe Kinsella and Dean Scanlon while inside line was David Courtney captain, Kyle Fitzgibbon and James Jimmy Charles.
Laune Rangers scored 2 early points before in the 11th minute Damien Maireapointed from play from a Dean Scanlon pass, this was followed 2 minutes later by a superbly taken goal for us by Brian O’Sullivan. Laune Rangers pulled back another point before an absolutely cracking save from Brian Horgan for us in the 15th minute. From resulting save the ball ended up with David Courtney who pointed well. Hogie won kick out and passed to Enda Cahill who duly split the posts, to put us ahead by 1-03 to 0-3pts.
A couple of fumbles followed which resulted in a Laune Rangers goal to level in the 18th minute. Heads didn’t drop and we bounced straight back with 2 points from play from Evan Foley, the 1st from 40yds plus. The 25th minute saw our keeper dazzled by sun and an unfortunate lob into the net, not to be put off, a point down our lads bounced back again with points from Courtney and Enda, in the 27th and 29th minutes which was followed by a great ball to James Charles from David Courtney, and James Charles cool as you like finished professionally to leave us leading at half time by 2-07 to 2-03.
Laune Rangers were out of the blocks fast in the second half, scoring 2 goals in the first 2 minutes to go 2pts up. We made a few substitutions with Stjohn coming in for Kyle, while Marc Carmody Darragh Moriarty Adam Conway and Tom Crowley were also introduced. Unfortunately, we ran out of steam and though points were added from Enda Cahill, David Courtney and a brace from Joe Looby, Laune Rangers finished off much stronger to finish the game with a 6-07 to 2-10 victory. Many lads were in the equation for our Celsius Menswear Man Of The Match with Killian having a big 1st half on Mike Frank while Looby and Courts were on fire, Damien Hogan and Enda were strong, but all thanks to the great staff of Celsius, John and Mike Murphy, Frankie Murphy and Jay Murphy as this week’s much deserved Man Of The Match was young James Charles, who had his best performance in 18 months, well done and much deserved.
We will now, next meet Laune Rangers in the Shield Final so hopefully some lessons will have been learned and we can finish off the final better. A big thanks to the bar staff of Kevin and Aileen Miller and the lovely hot food thanks to Annette Carmody , and thanks to all those who supported us on Friday night, much appreciated. ROCKIES ABÙ
Thanks to Kevin O’Carroll for that comprehensive report.
(all match photos compliments of Adrienne Mc Loughlin).
THE D TEAM: Our D team have still just one game played in this five round competition to date (a brilliant win against Scartaglin by 5-14 to 1-1 in round 2) Our 5th and final round game, away to Clounmon, has now been rescheduled to this coming Friday evening (24th June) at .7.30pm.
KERRY PROGRESS: Well done to the Kerry Seniors as they progress to the All Ireland Quarter Final after their big win over Louth last Sunday. Their 28 points winning margin (5-24 to 0-11) was the fourth highest in Kerry’s 134 year history (first in 1889) in Senior Championship football. They won by 29 points against Waterford in 1974 (7-16 to 0-8), by 33 points against Clare in 1947 (9-10 to 0-4) and their biggest ever win was also against Clare in that Miltown Malbay game in July 1979 with 36 points to spare (9-21 to 1-9). And when, if ever, did we go through a 35 minute first half without one wide and score 2 goals and 15 points.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Doireann Barrett (daughter of Eddie) who was one of the recent Winners in The Irish Women’s Award Ceremony in Dublin. Well done Doireann.
CLUB CARDS: Our Card sessions continue in the Clubhouse on Mondays and Thursdays with the starting time of 9pm sharp.
CLUB LOTTO: This week’s (19th June) Jackpot worth €4,150 was not won. The winning numbers were 5, 7, 18, 23. The €20 winners were: Denis Sayers, c/o The Club; Patricia Walsh, c/o Brendan O’Regan; Andrew Morrissey and Rachel Dunne, both c/o On Line; and Donal Brosnan, c/o Carmel O’Neill.
Next week’s Jackpot will be worth €4,200.
Continued thanks to the following businesses for selling our Lotto tickets on a weekly basis – Kevin Barry’s Shop, Commanes Bookshop (PC Books), O’Flynns Interiors, Hussey’s, Princes St., The Burger Shack, Monavalley and Kirby’s Brogue Inn. And continued thanks to everyone who purchase tickets week-in week-out.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently; Jacqueline Healy (nee O’Regan), Shanakill and formerly Hawley Park; Angela Moriarty (nee Sweeney), Strand Street and formerly Portlaoise; and Nora Walsh (nee Hallissey), Rahoonane and formerly Mitchel’s Crescent.