SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-12; St. Brendans 0-6.
In the first round of the Co. Championship played at sunny Lerrig last Saturday evening (20th June) our Seniors had a comfortable twelve points win over St. Brendans, the team that knocked us out of the 2006 Championship.
We trailed for the only time in the game when Brendans opened the scoring with a point inside the second minute. We had two wides on the board before William Kirby put through Faichna Mangan in the 12th minute for a peach of a goal. Shane Carroll send over a forty five a minute later and then Brendans reduced the deficit again in the 17th minute. We finished the half with five unanswered points (four from play) by Mikey Collins, Shane Carroll, Darragh Long (2) and Graham O’Connell to leave us ahead by 1-6 to 0-2 at half time.
In the second half we added a further 1-6 to 0-4 – with Darragh Long’s 56th minute goal putting the iceing on the cake.
Team (with SF Championship appearances in brackets): Wayne Gutherie (2), Pa McCarthy (4), Barry Shanahan (3), Brian Dennehy (20), John Dennis (1), Alain Creagh (5), TJ Hogan (13) (Capt), Daniel Bohan (15), Gearoid McCann (1), Shane Carroll (3) (0-3 – 1 forty five), William Kirby (25), Fiachna Mangan (2) (1-0), Graham O’Connell (11) (0-2), Darragh Long (23) (1-4 – 2 frees), Michael Collins (23) (0-3 – 1 free).
Subs: Denis McElligott (3) (50m), David Clifford (1) (50m), Pat Costello (5) (57m), Nessan Crean (8) (57m), Brian Mangan (4) (58m).
It really now depends on Kerry’s progress in the All Ireland Championship as to when our next outing will be. If Kerry keep winning, as we hope they will, then it could be 4th October before we play our next game.
In the meantime its back to Co. League duty this weekend. We make the 1 hour 35 minute trip to Portmagee on this Saturday evening (27th June) to take on the All Ireland JF Club Champions, Skellig Rangers in round 6 of the Competition, Throw in 7.30pm. But as we write there is every possibility that the fixture may be transferred to Sunday afternoon. Check with Club for details.
SENIOR HURLING: Austin Stacks 2-10; Crotta O’Neills 2-9.
Our Hurlers continued their winning ways when they overcame Crotta in round 1 of the Co. League played at Connolly Park last Wednesday (17th June).
Team: Liam Cleary, Kevin O’Leary, George Jordan, David Field, Jim McCarthy, Peter O’Regan, Ger Meehan, Kieran McCaughley, Ronan Gilsenan (0-3), Trevor Barrett, John McCarthy (1-5), Peter Doyle (1-1), Ger Scollard, Francie McLoughlin, Thomas Meehan.
Subs used: John Meehan (0-1), Kenneth O’Sullivan.
In round 2 we are away to St. Brendans on this Wednesday evening (24th June) at 8pm.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: The Town League fixtures have been published. All games are scheduled for Monday evenings at 7.30pm.
We are in Div. 1A and our fixtures are as follows;- R1 at home to Castleisland Desmonds on 29th June; R2 away to St. Pats on 6th July and R3 away to John Mitchels on 13th July.
The semi finals are fixed for 20th July with final on the following week – 27th July.
Kerins O’Rahillys, Na Gaeil, Ballymac and Churchill are in Div. 1B.
In the meantime games in Group 1 of the Co. League go ahead on this Friday evening (26th June) at 7,30pm. We are due to play away to Kilcummin.
JUNIOR C FOOTBALL: Churchill 2-11; Austin Stacks 1-10.
In the fifth and final round of the Group stage of this season’s Co. League we suffered our first and only defeat at the hands of Churchill played at Caherslee last Friday evening (19th June).
This was a very entertaining game and we lead by seven points to six at half time.
Six minutes into the second half we gave away an easy goal and when Churchill banged in their second in the 51st minute we found ourselves 2-9 to 0-9 down.
But a minute later David Pecker Doyle put us back in contention with a brilliantly converted penalty. However Churchill finished the stronger and ended up winners by four points.
Being the only side of this six team group to have all our games played in accordance with the schedule we must now await other results to see if we progress further in the competition.
U21 FOOTBALL: The U21F Co. Championship gets under way Feale Rangers in the first round.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 2-13; Kilcummin 2-7 (aet).
Round 1 of the MF Co. Championship played at Connolly Park on Monday evening (22nd June) had to go to extra time before the issue was settled.
We lead by 1-5 to 0-3 at half time in normal time – our goal coming from a brilliant jinking run from David Mannix in the 14th minute (described by some present as an Owen Mulligan type goal).
However we surrendered that lead in the second half and with six minutes to go found ourselves two points down without having registered a score up to then. A Shane Carroll point left the minimum between the sides and then three minutes later a David Mannix free tied the game up at 1-7 a piece.
Four minutes into extra time Barry Galvin made a splendid save, one of many he made during the game.
Don Quinn, who was substituted earlier was re-introduced in the 65th minute and he was no sooner back on when he fired over a great point. Then a minute later Nicky O’Connell got through for a splendid goal.
This left us ahead by 2-8 to 1-7 at the break in extra time.
We played our best football in the final half of extra time adding another five points to a rather fortuitous goal for the East Kerry side to leave us winners in a hard fought game by six points.
Team: Barry Galvin, Jake O’Brien, Seamus Bastible, Ronan Shanahan, John O’Connor, Fergal MacNamara, David Hannafin, Brendan O’Neill, George Bastible, Gary O’Connor (0-1), Shane Carroll (Capt) (0-3), Shane O’Callaghan, Nicky O’Connell (1-2), Don Quinn (0-1), David Mannix (1-6 – 3 frees).
Subs: Frankie Murphy (40m), Jonathan McCoy (40m), Graham O’Leary (ht in et).
MINOR HURLING: For the first time in a number of years we have a MH team competing in the Co. League.
We get our campaign underway with a home game against Kenmare on next Monday evening (29th June) at 7.30pm.
CONGRATULATIONS: to all who were recenty elected and re-elected to the new Town Council and commiserations to all who lost their seats or failed to get elected.
In particular congrats to our own Mairead Fernane who not only got elected but who also was elected Deputy Mayor of the Council.
Congratulations and best wishes also to Tim McMahon, Chairman of our Juvenile Section and Jennifer who are getting married in Cyprus on this Thursday.
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 extended to the family of John Thorney O’Shea and all in the Mitchels Club.
Thorney was one of the all-time heros of Boheree football, winning six SF Co. Championship medals including those famous five-in-a-row titles from 1959 to 1963. He also played Minor, Junior and SF with Kerry.
Sincere sympathy is also extended to the families of Helen Brassil Moore, Moyderwell and late of Edward Street; Peg Kearney, Cloondara and late of Sneem; William McMahon, Dublin and Tralee; Michael O’Brien, Tralee and Castleisland; and Mary O-Coy-Ya, Pairc na Dun; who died during the past week.