The sudden death of Club footballer and hurler, Andy McAllen has shocked the whole community. Andy had just returned to the Club after an absence of a few years when he resided in Limerick and played with the Croom Club.
He was one of the Club’s outstanding Juvenile players. He was part of a brilliant group who won every competition at Under 12, 14 and 16 – players like Mikey Collins, Daniel Bohan, Martin Moriarty, Brian Dennehy, TJ Hogan, Darragh Long, Kieran Donaghy, and Martin Courtney – all still playing at the highest level in the Club.
Who will forget the goal Andy scored in Austin Stack Park during the first half of the 1996 U14 Co. League final replay, which set us on our way to victory over Strand Road. And a similar goal in the U16 final two years later in our 1-9 to 1-6 victory over Laune Rangers in Fitzgerald Stadium. That U14 team also won the Feile competition and represented Kerry in the All Ireland Finals in Mayo that year – 1996.
In 1999 he went on to make his Minor debut and that team just failed by the narrowest of margins to beat a star studded South Kerry team in the Co. Championship final.
1999 also saw Andy, though still 17, make his debut on the Senior Hurling team playing in a Co. League game in Lerrig against Kilmoyley.
Still a Minor in the year 2000 he went on to win a MF Co. League medal and also made his debut on the SF team that year when he lined out in a Co. League game in Gneeveguilla.
More success was to follow in 2002 when he won an U21 Co. Championship medal, the 1st County title by the Club at that grade. We reached the U21 final again in 2003 and though Andy scored a great goal late in the first half we were eventually defeated by South Kerry 1-12 to 2-6.
On his return to the Club just two months ago he again took up his dual role. He played in a SF Challenge game against Crokes and played in his customery goalkeeper’s position in the Hurlers’ first game of the season last Friday week against Kilgarvan.
He will be sadly missed by his family and by his playing colleagues and his many other friends in the Club and the wider community.
We extend sincere sympathy to his mother and father, Nora and Andy; to his sister, Theresa; to Sophina and his young son John; to his nephew, Eamon; his nieces, Sophia and Christine and to all his other relatives and friends.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Round 4 of the Co. League goes ahead on this Saturday evening (23rd May) when we entertain Finuge in Connolly Park. Throw in 7.30pm.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: Please ignore what you saw in last week’s Notes as the Co. Board, at the third time of asking, have revised the Co. League fixtures again.
Round 1, which is an away game against Milltown-Castlemaine, goes ahead on this Friday evening (22nd May) with a 7.30pm throw-in.
The following are our remaining six fixtures: – R2 .v. Dingle (home) on 29th May; R3 .v. Crokes (away) on Polling Day, 5th June; R4 .v. Listowel Emmets (H) on 12th June; R5 .v. Kerins O’Rahillys (h) on 19th June; R6 .v. Kilcummin (a) on 26th June; and R7 .v. Rathmore (a) on 3rd July.
The top four teams in this eight team group go through to the semi finals.
We wish team Mentor, John Purcell, John King and Paddy Creagh and the whole squad the best of luck for the season.
JUNIOR C FOOTBALL: Our C team also begin their Co. League campaign on this Friday evening (22nd May) with an away game against Kerins O’Rahillys. Throw in 7.30pm.
The following are the remaining four fixtures: R2 .v. Laune Rangers (h) on 29th May; R3 .v. Clounmacon (a) on Polling Day, 5th June; R4 .v. Knockanure (h) on 12th June; and R5 .v. Churchill (a) on 19th June.
The top team in this six team group goes straight to the League final with the 2nd and 3rd placed teams contesting the semi final.
We wish team Mentors, Charlie Healy, Joe Smith and Francie Breen and the whole squad the best of luck for the season.
SENIOR HURLING: Round 2 of the South Kerry League which was to have been played last week was obviously postponed. It has been refixed for this Wednesday evening (20th May) in Connolly Park at 7.30pm.
ROCK GOLF SOCIETY: Our President’s Prize (Mick Ryan) was played for last saturday at Kenmare GC on a wet and windy day but all credit to the course staff for having the place in pristine condition. Winner on the day was our sec Colm mc Loughlin with 37 points, 3 clear of the pack.
RESULTS: 1st Colm McLoughlin (13) 37; 2nd Pat Williams (15) 34; 3rdMaurice Carroll (16) 34; 4th Billy Moriarty (13) 32; 5th Brian Neenan (15) 31; 6th Declan Carroll (13) 30.
Our sincere thanks to The Castle Bar for their support and to all at Kenmare G.C.
Matchplay Draw: Pat o Carroll /Mce Carroll V Colm mc Loughlin; Jon.Kelliher /T.J.Galvin V Damien mc Loughlin; Pat Williams /B.Neenan V Donie Griffin; Declan Carroll /B.Moriarty V John o Connor;
All 1st round matches to be played by August 8th.
Next up is Castleisland on 13th June.
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.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Belated birthday greetings to Seamus O’Mahony who celebrated his 70th last Thursday (14th May).
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.