CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Membership 2016 is now due. A registration night will be held in the club bar on this Tuesday night (15th March) from 8 to 9 o clock to facilitate anyone wishing to pay their membership.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Kerins O’Rahillys 0-11; Austin Stacks 1-11.
Our Seniors had another very useful workout in Strand Road on last Sunday afternoon (13th March) but were pushed all the way by an under-strength O’Rahillys team in Round 4 (game no. 2) of this 4 Round Town League. Last week, in Round 1, we had a four points win against Mitchels. Three points separated the sides in this encounter.
After Fiachna Mangan opened the scoring in the 3rd minute Rahillys had a very good first quarter, responding well with four consecutive points. Then, in the space of four minutes (16th to 20th) David Mannix leveled matters with three good scores (one from a free). In the closing ten minutes of the half we had just one more score – a well worked move by team captain, Wayne Guthrie, who put over after a lovely exchange between himself and Pa McCarthy. This left the home side ahead by one at half time (0-6 to 0-5).
Seven minutes of the second half had elapsed before Shane Carroll opened the scoring with a nice point, and two minutes later Shane was on target again from a free.
Then in the 43rd minute came what turned out to be the game changer. Daniel Bohan, who was the architect of many set-ups throughout the game, put Fiachna Mangan through, and Fiachna’s shot across goal was flicked to the net by Shane O’Callaghan for the only goal of the game. From then to the end it was point for point by both sides – Rahillys with five to four by our lads – all ours from play – with Calla again on target (2) and one each by Wayne Guthrie and wing back, Jack O’Shea.
Team: Barry Galvin, Barry Walsh, Fearghal MacNamara, Pa McCarthy, Jack O’Shea (0-1), Barry Shanahan, Denis McElligott, Wayne Guthrie (0-2), Shane Guthrie, Daniel Bohan, Michael O’Donnell, Fiachna Mangan (0-1), David Mannix (0-3 – one free) Shane O’Callaghan (1-2), Alan Nestor.
Subs used: Shane Carroll (19m) (0-2 – one free), Seán Ryan (37m), Darragh Long (41m), David O’Sullivan (44m).
Next Sunday in Lewis Road at 3pm (note the time change) we meet Dr. Crokes in round 1 of the Co. League and for the second year in a row this game will double up as the Co. League Final – this time the 2015 decider. Last year, in the 2014 Final, the game went to extra time which we won (2-9 to 0-13). We are chasing our 11th title while Crokes are seeking their 7th. At present we head the Roll of Honours with 10, Laune Rangers are on 9, Crokes on 6 and Kerins O’Rahillys with 5. So best of luck to the whole squad on Sunday next.
B FOOTBALL: Our B team are also on duty at the weekend when they travel to Cordal in round 1 of Div. 5. The game is on this Saturday (19th March) at 4.15pm.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Gneeveguilla 3-6; Austin Stacks 3-9.
For the second Saturday in a row our Minors served up a stunning display of brilliant football, this time away to Gneeveguilla, in round 3 (of 5) of the Co. League.
Playing with the aid of a strongish breeze in the first half, we led by a massive 12 points (3-6 to 0-3) at the break. But this was the typical game of two halves as, in the second period, the home side turned the tables when they outscored us by 3-3 to 0-3.
Injuries prevented Fergal Ryan and Harry O’Callaghan from starting but all were glad to see Brandon Patterson back in action again. And we got off to the perfect start when Conor Lowe, a late replacement for Harry, was at the end of a sweeping move in the 3rd minute,to lash to the net for a great goal. Five points followed with Ferdia O’Brien (3) and Donagh McKivergan (2) on target. Ferdia’s second point, in the 10th minute, came from a brilliant run from his own defence by Shane Kelliher.
Then in the 20th minute Ferdia, on the edge of the square, fielded beautifully from a perfect high ball from David Fitzmaurice, turned and shot low to the net. Then in the 27th minute Conor Lowe was fouled and Ferdia pointed the resultant free and then a minute later Cian Liston provided the perfect pass for Ferdia to net his second and our third of the half.
Two of Gneeveguilla’s first half points came from frees (in the 7th and 30th minutes) with their only score from play coming in the 22nd minute.
However, it was a different kettle of fish in the second half as the East Kerry boys showed that they are not in Division 1 of the Co. League for nothing. All our three second half points came in the first 16 minutes – two of these from Ferdia (one a free) and the third from Cian Liston.
Overall another great display from our lads, with all 17 playing superbly. If one had to pick out two players who would have shaded it for Men of the Match it would be hard to overlook Ferdia (who scored 2-6, all but two from play) and defender Ciaran O’Reilly, whose burst out of defence in the closing seconds ensuring all two points for us. And another contributor to those two points was goalkeeper Robbie Murphy whose point-blank save in the 25th minute of the first half was stunning. From close range the home forward shot to the far post but Robbie, diving to his right, touched it out for a forty five.
Another stat to of importance was that during the whole hour we registered just one wide, and that was in our very first attack in the 2nd minute. And finally all but four of the 17 who lined out will be Minors again next year and two of these (Dylan Casey and Gearóid Fitzgerald, who made his Minor debut in this game) will be Minors again in 2018.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey, Tomás Sheehy, Pádraig Looney, Ciarán O’Reilly, Brandon Patterson, Philip Quilter, David Fitzmaurice, Conor Lowe (1-0), Michael Linnane, Odhran Liston, Cian Liston (0-1), Ferdia O’Brien (2-6 – 2 frees), Donagh McKivergan (0-2 – one free
Subs used: Shane Walsh (48m), Gearóid Fitzgerald (58m).
Our remaining two games in the group stage of the Co. League are both at home – against Kerins O’Rahillys (on Easter Saturday, 26th March) and Dr. Crokes on the following Friday (1st April).
BEST OF LUCK: After their narrow victory last week, against Tipperary, in the opening round of the Munster Championship the Kerry U21 Footballers, including our own Greg Horan, are back in action again on this Wednesday evening (16th March) in the semi final of the competition. The game, against Limerick, goes ahead in Austin Stack Park at 7.30pm. We wish the whole squad the best of luck.
And good luck also to Kerry’s own Seamus Mulvihill who is named to referee the other semi final between Cork and Waterford at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on the same evening.
EASTER IN THE CLUB: Bar Manager, Des Griffin, has a nice line-up of activities lined up in the Clubhouse for the Easter weekend. On Easter Sunday (27th March) there will be a Barbeque at 3pm with Live Music at 5.30pm followed by a Disco at 8pm. Then on Easter Monday Mass will be celebrated in the Clubhouse at 2.30pm followed by some finger food. As on the Sunday there will be Live Music at 5.30 and a Disco at 8pm.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Des Griffin at 086 402 0808.
CARDS: The will be no Cards on this Thursday night (St. Patrick’s Night) or on Easter Monday Night (28th March), After that the 45 Card Sessions will continue in the Clubhouse on every Monday and Thursday nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last Night’s (14th March) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 4, 7, 16, and 27.
The €20 Winners were: Frances Quirke, c/o Richard Healy; Molly O’Shea and Selina O’Shea, both c/o Brendan O’Regan; and Mike Shea and Fergal O’Sullivan, both c/o Carmel Quilter.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died during the past week – Joan Lowe (nee O’Riordan), Mitchel’s Road (mother of former Club Hurlers, Martin & George; and Siiobhán who was a member of our Scór Ballad Group in the past); Risikat Oyebanji, Derrylea and late of Nigeria; Catherine Foley, Carraig Lí and late of Barnfield, Currow; Denis Enright, Curraheen; Anne Breda Smith, Greenlawn, Cuaargraigue; and Bríd Marken (nee O’Shea), Walkinstown (Dublin) and late of Curraheen.