HURLING: The 2nd Annual Trevor Barrett Tournament goes ahead on next Saturday (15th Aug) commencing at 10am with the Final scheduled for 4.30. As we write the fixtures have yet to be finalized but participating teams will include last year’s champions, Causeway as well as Duagh. Check website for details.
There will be Live Entertainment in the Clubhouse from 6pm.
STRICTLY COME DANCING: After weeks of intense preparation our Dancers are now looking forward to Saturday week (22nd Aug) when one of the Entertainment Events of the year goes ahead at the Festival Dome. Tickets for the Event are still available at the Clubhouse and from Members of the Organising Committee.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-17; Ballymac 3-6.
This Town Championship semi final played in damp conditions in Connolly Park on last Saturday evening (8th Aug) was most entertaining and we can consider ourselves most lucky to have survived with just two points to spare at the end.
Early on it looked as if we were about to run away with this one when we notched up four unanswered points within seven minutes of the throw-in. Wing back, Pa McCarthy scored three of these – the first after just 24 seconds – with the others coming from a David Mannix free after a foul on Mikey Collins.
But in one of Ballymac’s first attacks in the 11th minute they were back in the game with a well taken punched goal. We responded with two more points from Fiachna Mangan and David Mannix to put us three up, but Ballymac were goal-hungry when they landed their second in the 18th minute to level the match for the first time.
Between then and half time both sides added two points each – ours coming from a lovely effort by Brían Mangan and a third for David Mannix. This left the sides level at the break (0-8 to 2-2).
Then within four minutes after the resumption Ballymac went ahead for the first time in the game.
However within a minute a quickly taken David Mannix free found Mikey Collins who leveled again and then four minutes later David had us back in the lead with a well-taken free. Then the visitors leveled again in the 40th minute, with a goal at their mercy (0-10 to 2-4).
The scoreline might suggest otherwise but we were always in control and in the next eight minutes we went into a four points lead when we added five – to one for the opposition – all from play – with two each by David Mannix and Fiachna Mangan and a lovely effort by Dale Counihan. Then both sides exchanged points – with ours coming from Shane Carroll (good to see Shane back again), but, with three minutes remaining, this game was thrown wide open again when Ballymac scored their third goal, this time from a well-taken penalty, to leave us ahead by the minimum with extra time looming.
But in the final minute it was our lads who made sure of the win when a lovely pass by Seán Dukes found David Mannix and David put over his 7th of the game to put us through to the final for the second season in a row.
It was great to see three young players making their Senior debuts – Seán Dukes, John Murphy and Dylan Harnett – with all three doing well when introduced during the second half.
It’s also good to see Ronan Shanahan out and about and making good progress after his recent cruciate operation
Team: Patrick Fitzgibbon, Barry Walsh, Denis O’Neill, Ciarán O’Connell, Pa McCarthy (0-3), Fearghal MacNamara (Capt), Seamus Bastible, Shane Guthrie, Brían Mangan (0-1), William Kirby, Fiachna Mangan (0-3), Alan Duggan, David Mannix (0-7 – 2 frees), Michael Collins (0-1), Dale Counihan (0-1).
Subs used: Seán Purcell (ht), Shane Carroll (37m) (0-1), Seán Dukes (51m), John Murphy (53m), Dylan Harnett (56m).
We were due to travel south on this coming weekend to play St. Michaels/Foilmore in round 9 of the Co. League but, at the request of the opposition, we have agreed a postponement to Saturday, 29th August.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: Our Bs were to have played Kerins O’Rahillys in round 4 (the penultimate round) of the Town League on Monday (10th Aug) but the game was postponed due to O’Rahillys involvement in the U21 Co. Championship Final against East Kerry which goes ahead in Castleisland on this Tuesday evening (11th Aug). Best of luck to O’Rahillys.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Dr. Crokes 1-16; Austin Stacks 1-7.
Dr. Crokes advanced to the quarter final stage of this season’s Co. Championship when they had nine points to spare in this round 3 game, played at Lewis Road on last Thursday evening (6th Aug).
We had a very good start and led by 1-3 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter. Crokes opened the scoring with two points but we were showing some great sharpness and our first score came when Ferdia O’Brien pointed a free in the 4th minute after Calvin Foley was fouled. A minute later a lovely intercept by Fergal Ryan found Calvin and at the second attempt Calvin shot low to the net. Then a minute later it was Seán Dukes who broke up a Crokes attack and he found Ferdia who pointed.
Eight minutes elapsed before the next score and it was the score of the game – a brilliantly take sideline kick from 45 meters by Seán Dukes which split the posts – akin to the one which Mick O’Connell scored for Kerry in Croke Park in the 1962 All Ireland semi final against Dublin. Yes it was that good.
But Crokes were now coming more into the game and dominated the second quarter – outscoring us by six points to two – our two coming from another Ferdia O’Brien effort from play following a great move involving Colin Griffin, Fergal Ryan and Louis Ryle, who never kept trying all through, and the other one from a Michael O’Donnell free after Jack O’Shea was fouled. This left the sides level at half time (1-5 to 0-8).
But the home side continued their dominance in the second half, adding a further 1-8 to their scoreline while our only contributions came from two frees by Ferdia O’Brien in the 41st minute and from Michael O’Donnell in the 60th minute.
Team: Daniel Kinsella, Dylan Hennebery, Jack Morgan, Brandon Patterson, Darragh Scanlon, Jack O’Shea, Seán Fitzmaurice, Michael O’Donnell (0-2 frees), Philip Quilter, Louis Ryle, Colin Griffin (Capt). Fergal Ryan, Ferdia O’Brien (0-4 – 2 frees), Calvin Foley (1-0), Seán Dukes (0-1 – sideline).
Subs used: Padraig Looney (27m), Michael Linnane (43m), Cian Liston (54m), Daniel Teahan (58m).
It’s back now to Central League duty for us with a round 5 game away to Milltown fixed for next Monday week (17th Aug) and the postponed round 4 game at home to Laune Rangers which has yet to be refixed.
All in the squad send best wishes to Jonathan Myers who, we understand, has to undergo surgery after picking up a cruciate knee injury recently.
U21 FOOTBALL: Round 1 of the U21 Club Championship is due to kick off next Wednesday week (19th Aug). We travel to Ballybunion to play a combination of Ballylongord, Asdee and Beale. Throw in 6.30pm with extra time if required.
WELL DONE: to the Kerry Junior Footballers on their All Ireland victory in Croke Park last Saturday and also to the Kerry U21 Hurlers who progressed to the All Ireland semi final of their competition.
CONGRATULATIONS: to JJ Murphy and his wife Noreen who celebrated the Golden Jubilee of their wedding with a lovely Mass celebrated by Fr. Tadhg Fitzgerald at Balloonagh Convent Chapel last Saturday evening. Afterwards there was a very enjoyable function at the Meadowlands Hotel.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: What is it that has so many Rockies celebrating birthdays in the last few days of July and the first few days in August. Among the July celebrants are former footballers Pat Costello and Mikey Sheehy; current footballers Shane Carroll and Eoin Galvin and then some great mentors and supporters like Ger Mannix, Bridie Courtney, Sarah Carey – and culminating with the 80th birthday, on the last day of July, of the one and only Denis ‘Dee Butcher’ O’Regan.
Then in the first few days in August former Footballers Pat Slattery (Sla) and Timmy Sheehan celebrate as well as current foorballer Seán Fitzmaurice. And all these are just the ones that have come to our attention. Greetings to one and all.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
All at the Bingo extend sincere sympathy to Chrissie O’Carroll on the recent death of her brother, Liam Hoare (see sympathy)
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Des at 066 7126942 after 8pm any evening.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last Night’s (10th Aug) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 1, 13, 28, and 30.
The €20 Prizes went to Brian Tess, c/o Charlie Healy; Patrick Cleary and John Barrett, both c/o The Club; and Noel O’Connell and Denis ‘Dee Butcher’ O’Regan, both c/o Club Rockies.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Liam Hoare, Kevin Barry’s Villas (brother of one of our regular Bingo players, Chrissie O’Carroll); and Kay Fitzgerald (nee O’Donnell), Brewery Road and late of Durrus (Cork) (grandmother of current Club Footballers, Seán and Fergal Ryan);