LA NA gCLUB: held last Sunday was an outstanding success. The day began with Mass in St. Brendan’s Church. Chairman Ger Reidy explained to the congregation the purpose of the event and the format for the day. The Mass was also attended by the boys and girls who looked resplendent in their Club colours.
The Mass was followed by a parade to the Club where a miscellany of field events took place all afternoon.
A fun family quiz followed with the one and only Kerry O’Shea as Quiz Master.
And then the highlight of the day took place with the unveiling of pictures of our thirteen All Star winners. Six lady footballers have accumulated 16 Awards – Eileen O’Connor-Mangan, Hilda O’Leary, Dell McLoughlin-Whyte, Lil Horgan-O’Sullivan, Marina Barry-Walsh and Maria Fitzgerald.
Seven of their male counterparts have won 23 Awards, as Master of Ceremonies, Paudie Commane said more that 20 counties – John O’Keeffe, Denny Long, Ger Power, Ger O’Keeffe, Mikey Sheehy, Pa Laide and Kieran Donaghy.
A special poster containing the 27 male players who have won 86 All Ireland SF Medals (which was researched and beautifully produced by Tom Tansley) was also unveiled.
Chairman Ger Reidy thanked everyone who helped organise the day and to all those who did painting work and general maintenance (Joe Smith’s A Team were the maim men here) and which had the Club and surround looking in pristine condition.
The night concluded with ceol agus craic lead by Jim O’Connor on guitar with a whole host of contributors, including Eddie Baily who gave another rendition of his now famous song which he performed in Church earlier that day. This part of the evening was compered by Denis O’Connor.
Bh? l? thar b?rr ag gach ?inne, l? an-specialta i stair an CLG.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 0-9; Beale 0-9.
In Round 3 of the Co. League played at Ballybunion last Saturday evening we were lucky to come away with a draw.
We started well and went three points clear after nine minutes, courtesy of three Darragh Long frees.
We then failed to register another score before half time by which time Beale had scored four to leave them ahead by one at the break.
Beale stretched their lead four minutes into the second half with a pointed free and then three minutes later could have put the game out of sight but their penalty shot hit the post and was cleared.
A Darragh Long pointed free and two more for Beale left the Ballybunion side three clear at the end of the third quarter.
However we played with great determination in the last fifteen minutes with our second half substitutes getting us out of jail. Damien Quirke and Mikey Collins with two points each and one from Darragh Long (all five from play) to two from the opposition saw the League points shared at the end of a hard fought game.
Team: Martin Moriarty, Pa McCarthy, Barry Shanahan, John Dennis, Tommy Costelloe, Alain Creagh, Brian Dennehy, Brian Mangan, Daniel Bohan (Capt), Denis McElligott, Fiachna Mangan, Sean Power, Graham O’Connell, Darragh Long (0-5 – 4 frees), Joey O’Connor.
Subs: Gearoid McCann (13m), Damien Quirke (ht) (0-2), Michael Collins (35m) (0-2), David Clifford (45m).
Round 4 of the Co. League goes ahead next Saturday week (23rd May) when we entertain Finuge in Connolly Park.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: The Co. Board has postponed rounds 1 and 2 of the Co. League for a reason not stated.
So now our first game will be in round 3 which is an away game to Dr. Crokes on Friday week (22nd May) at 8pm.
JUNIOR C FOOTBALL: This League is also due to start on Friday, 22nd May.
SENIOR HURLING: Austin Stacks 3-3; Kilgarvan 1-8.
Our Hurlers got their season off to a winning start with a narrow one point win over Kilgarvan in this round 1 South Kerry League game played at Connolly Park last Friday evening.
Kilgarvan went into an early two points lead but our first serious attack saw Thomas Meehan at the end of a goalmouth melee to slash to the net.. Points were exchanged, ours coming from a John McCarthy free. Then Kilgarvan scored four on the trot and just before half time another John McCarthy free left us adrift by two at half time (0-7 to 1-2).
Five minutes into the second half Kilgarvan went five clear with a good goal.
Just two minutes after we were awarded a penalty and John McCarthy made no mistake. Six minutes later John was on target again with the goal of the game from a 30m free and this put us into the lead, a lead which we never relinquished.
Points were exchanged in the 23rd and 28th minutes and despite some intense pressure from the opposition our backs defended superbly and we held out for a well deserved victory.
No doubt the intense pre-season work done with the squad by team mentors Brian Shanahan and Pat Murphy paid dividends.
Team: Andy McAllen, Maurice Lenihan, Peter O’Regan, David Field, Kevin O’Leary, Jim McCarthy, Ross Long, Ronan Gilsenen, Kieran McCaughley, Liam Cleary, John McCarthy (2-3), Trevor Barrett, Kenneth O’Sullivan, Ger Scollard, Thomas Meehan (1-0).
Subs: Ger Meehan (15m), Ricky O’Halloran (37m), Dylan Crean (39).
In round 2 we are at home to Laune Rangers and this has now been fixed for this Wednesday evening (13th May) at 7.30pm.
ROCK GOLF SOCIETY: This Saturday (16th May) we visit Kenmare GC for our President’s Prize. Tee time is 10am with a draw for partners at 9.45am.
Also on Saturday names for the Matchplay will be taken after play.
SPONSORSHIP: The Club’s main sponsor is Slatterys Travel, Edward Street. We encourage our members and supporters to support our sponsors whenever possible.
Slatterys Travel may be contacted at 066 7186200.
WEBSITE: Visit our website at www.austinstacks.ie.
CLUBHOUSE: Bookings are now being taken again for any parties on Friday nights, and also Saturdays and Sundays.
BINGO: The Bingo session goes ahead as usual on Saturday nights at 8.30pm.
CARDS: The 45 Cards Sessions continue on Mondays and Thursdays at 9.30pm.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to George Jordan and family on the death of his brother, Christy, in Kilkee.
Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of Brian Hickey, The Mileheight; Violet Carey, Waterville; Martin Kearney, Caherslee; Tom O’Driscoll, Dunmanway (uncle of Club footballer, John Dennis); and John Dominic O’Brien, St. John’s Park who died during the past week.