SENIOR FOOTBALL: Skellig Rangers 2-8; Austin Stacks 1-7.
Playing with the aid of a very strong wind the All Ireland JF Champions got off to the best possible start and were 1-2 to no score up after just three minutes of this round 6 Co. League game played last Saturday evening (27th June) in Portmagee.
Those five points still seperated the sides at half time (1-6 to 0-4). Our four points came from two Graham O’Connell frees and one each from play by William Kirby and Darragh Long.
It’s generally an ominous sign when the team playing against the elements makes the better start and that’s what happened when Rangers pointed a free after two minutes of the restart.
Try as we did we never came closer than four points of the opposition for the rest of the game. Points from play by team captain TJ Hogan and Graham O’Connell and a pointed free by Darragh Long was our contribution until Mikey Collins converted a penalty two minutes into added time but with the opposition scoring a further 1-1 this historic game (it was the first at senior level between the two Clubs) ended in victory for the home side.
This was our first defeat in this season’s League.
Team: Martin Moriarty, Pa McCarthy, Barry Shanahan, Brian Dennehy, John Dennis, Alain Creagh, TJ Hogan (Capt) (0-1), Gearoid McCann, Wayne Gutherie, David Clifford, William Kirby (0-1), Fiachna Mangan, Graham O’Connell (0-3 – 2 frees), Darragh Long (0-2 – 1 free), Denis McElligott.
Subs:Michael Collins (18m) (1-0 pen), Brian Mangan (52m), Nessan Crean (55m-58m).
Our next competitive game is not likely to be until 26th July and that will be in round 7 of the Co. League with a home game against Killarney Legion.
SENIOR HURLING: St. Brendans 4-8; Austin Stacks 3-4.
We suffered our first defeat of the season in this round 2 game of the Co. League played in ideal conditions in Ardfert last Wednesday evening (24th June).
After an indifferent start we found ourselves five points down after eleven minutes. Then in the 17th minute Peter Doyle was fouled in his own half and a 80 metre free by John McCarthy was batted out by the Ardfert keeper and the ever alert Ronan Gilsenan was in like a flast to blast to the net.
Two minutes later Kieran McCaughley sent a long ball into the square and when it broke Francie McLoughlin buried it in the corner of the net.
Points were exchanged in the 23rd and 25th mintes – ours coming from a John McCarthy free.
However a minute later a long-ranged Ardfert free went all the way to the net. Just before half time John McCarthy pointed a sixty five to leave the home side ahead by one point at the break (1-6 to 2-2).
We suffered two hammer-blows within three minutes of the restart, conceeding two goals.
The first goal should not have stood – how referees are still deceived by the ‘Seamus Darby’ little nudge after 27 years of it being highlighted is hard to believe. Full back George Jordan was clearily nudged but the goal was allowed. The second goal was followed by two more points and this left us nine points in arrears at the end of the third quarter.
However we battled on and in the final quarter scored a further 1-2 to one goal for the opposition – all ours coming from play – points by John McCarthy and Peter Doyle and the goal by Francie McLoughlin – his second of the evening.
Team: Liam Cleary, Kevin O’Leary, George Jordan, David Field, Ger Meehan, Peter O’Regan, Jim McCarthy, Ronan Gilsenan (1-0), Kieran McCaughley, John McCarthy (0-3 – 1 free; 1 sixty five), Gearoid McCann, Peter Doyle (0-1), Rick O’Halloran, Francie McLoughlin (2-0), Trevor Barrett.
Sub: Ger Scollard (55m).
In round 3 we are at home to Kenmare on this Thursday evening (2nd July) at 8pm.
All the remaining rounds go ahead on Wednesday evenings as follows: R4 8th July at home to Kilgarvan; R5 15th July away to St. Pats; R6 22nd July at home to Duagh; R7 29th July away to Lixnaw; R8 we have a bye; R9 (final round) 12th August at home to Laune Rangers.
The top two teams in the group go through to the Division 3 Final.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-12; Kilcummin 1-9.
In round 6 of the Co. League played in ideal conditions at Kilcummin last Friday evening (26th June) we achieved a three points win over the home side in a very competitive, entertaining and open game of football.
St. John Hegarty opened the scoring in the 5th minute and by the 18th minute both sides had scored just two points each – our second one coming from the boot of midfielder, Brian Mangan.
Then a minute later David Mannix put Damien Quirke through for our only goal of the game. Three points for the opposition and two pointed frees by David Mannix left us ahead by two at the break (1-4 to 0-5).
David Mannix was on target again just 50 seconds into the second half when he converted a free after he himself was fouled. Wing back Tommy Costello came up field to point. These points were cancelled out by two for the opposition and this still left us two clear when Kilcummin were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute. Though well taken, Jamie Kelly made a splendid save.
But Kilcummin kept pressing, putting over a point a minute later and then in the 42nd minute eventually got through for that goal to put then in the lead for the first time by two points.
We played our best football in the final quarter, defending superbly and attacking in waves and in the process holding the opposition to just one more point and converting a further six ourselves.
All our six forwards got on the score sheet as well as our centre fielder Brian Mangan and wing back Tommy Costello (2).
And as we travelled with just 15 players when Shane Fitzgerald picked up a shoulder injury in the 53rd minute who stepped into the breach but Team Manager, John Purcell (as he did in similar circumstances in Dingle last year) and he was as influencial orchestating events onfield as he was off field.
Team: Jamie Kelly, Seamus Bastible, Nessan Crean (Capt), Shane Fitzgerald, Sean Purcell, Paul Hennebery, Tommy Costello (0-2), Brian Mangan (0-1), Paul Barrett, St. John Hegarty (0-1), Damien Quirke (1-0), David Mannix (0-5 frees), Dale Counihan (0-1), David Pecker Doyle (0-1), Liam Walsh (0-1 free).
Sub: John Purcell for Shane Fitzgerald (injured) (53m).
Round 1 of the Town League was to have been played last Monday (29th June) but did not go ahead as we received a walk-over from Castleisland Desmonds.
Round 2 of the Town League is scheduled to go ahead next Monday (6th July) with an away game in Blennerville against St. Pats.
As we write we understand our round 7 Co. League game away to Rathmore which was scheduled for this Friday evening (3rd July) may not go ahead as the Co. Board are anxious to get back games played instead. Check with Club for details.
JUNIOR C FOOTBALL: With walk-overs being granted all over the place the League this year has been a bit of a farce.
With all our games played It seems certain that we are in the semi final against either Churchill of Kerins O’Rahillys. It appears that Laune Rangers (who received two walk-overs) are in the the final.
Our semi final game is likely to be played on Friday week (10th July).
U21 FOOTBALL: As we write it is unclear if our U21F Co. Championship first round tie against Feale Rangers will go ahead as scheduled on this Thursday (2nd July) in Mountcoal. Check with Club for details.
MINOR FOOTBALL: Our next outing (round 2 of the Co. Championship) goes ahead in Connolly Park on next Tuesday (7th July) at 7.30pm with last year’s runners-up in the competition (South Kerry) providing the opposition.
MINOR HURLING: It was the first time in ten years that we fielded a MH team in the Co. League. We played Kenmare in the first round in Connolly Park last Monday evening (29th June) and wnet down to a stronger team.
Despite the defeat there were good displays from Andrew Foley at Full back, Aaron Barry at centre back, Fearghal MacNamara at centrefield and Jonathan Lee and Gavin Murphy up front.
Team: Ciaran O’Connell, Peter Luddy, Andrew Foley, Owen Sugrue, Luke Donnelly, Aaron Barry, Joseph Meehan, Dylan Crean, Fearghal MacNamara, Brian Og Caball, Jonathan Lee, Anthony Breen, Sean de Roiste, Gavin Murphy.
Round 2 (of this 5 round League) goes ahead in Ardfert on this Monday evening (6th July) at 7.30pm against St. Brendans.
We have a bye in Round 3. In R4 on 20th July we are at home to Lixnaw and in the fifth and final round on 27th July we are away to Kilmoyley.
MUNSTER FOOTBALL FINALS: Pairc Ui Chaoimh stages the Munster Minor & Senior Football finals next Sunday (5th July).
We wish the Kerry Minors (and our own Shane Carroll) the best of luck as they take on Tipperary in the curtain-raiser.
Cork and Limerick are the contestants in the Senior final.
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 families of Dolores O’Sullivan, Ballyrickard and late of Knockanush; Michael O’Brien, Derrylea (father of former Club footballer, Dermot); Mary O’Sullivan, Moyderwell and late of Barrow East; and Eddie Roe, Caheranne and late of Strand Street who died during the past week.