SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-9; Kerins O’Rahillys 0-9.
There was a sizeable attendance in Ballymac last Sunday afternoon (25th Oct) for the Club’s first ever staging of a SF Town Championship Final and at the end of an evenly contested affair we just did enough to capture our 2nd successive title and make it a Town League and Championship double for the second year in a row. The score that separated the sides at the end happened to be the first score of the game, coming just inside the third minute. A high David O’Sullivan line ball across the square was touched down by Kieran Donaghy into the path of Shane O’Callaghan who flicked to the net. After that it was level pegging for the rest of the game. Both sides scored four each between then and half time – ours coming from two Shane Carroll efforts, one from a free, and the remaining two from play by Fiachna Mangan and Greg Horan. We led by 1-4 to 0-4 at the break. In the second half both sides scored five points each – – two early pointed frees by Shane Carroll, two super long-ranged efforts from play by Man of the Match, Shane O’Callaghan and our final score of the game by Greg Horan in the 56th minute, also from play. Team: Darragh O’Brien, Jack O’Shea, Barry Walsh, John Dennis, Pa McCarthy, Fearghal MacNamara (Capt), Seán Ryan, Wayne Guthrie, Shane Guthrie, Shane Carroll (0-4 – 3 frees), David O’Sullivan, Fiachna Mangan (0-1), Shane O’Callaghan (1-2), Kieran Donaghy, Greg Horan (0-2). Subs used: Barry Shanahan (23m); Conor Jordan (ht), Michael Collins (42m). So a good run-out for our lads in preparation for some important games to come, including a qualifying game for next season’s SF Co. Championship which is due to be played in early November, possibly on Saturday, 7th Nov. The qualifier draw is due to take place on Monday, 2nd Nov. In the meantime, however, our round 11 Co. League game, away to Castleisland Desmonds, has been fixed for this coming Sunday (1st Nov) at 1pm.
U21 FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 5-6; Ballydonoghue 1-4.
Despite the inclement weather – it rained constantly during the whole game – both sides played good, open, attractive football in this, the second semi final, of the Co. Club Championship (Shield Section) in Connolly Park on this Bank Holiday Monday (26th Oct). After both sides registered two wides each early on, Ballydonoghue opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a nice point from play. Two minutes later Greg Horan burst through the centre, laid off to Seán Dukes and the breaking ball was finished to the net by Philip Quilter. The conditions weren’t conducive to a high-scoring game and in the next twelve minutes both sides added two more points each – ours coming from a Seán Fizmaurice free after a foul on Louis Ryle, and the second by team captain, Alan Duggan from an acute angle. One of the Ballydonoghue points was goal-bound but for a brilliant tip-over save by Paddy Fitzgibbon. But with our defence playing superbly and midfielders, Alan Duggan and Conor Jordan also in command we finished out the half with two further points by Jack Morgan and Greg Horan and the final score of the half, a great goal by Jack O’Shea. This left us seven clear at half time – 2-4 to 0-3. On the resumption the visitors won the throw-in but their attack was broken up by Colin Griffin who raced upfield and his final pass found Greg who finished low to the net after just 45 seconds. The next score came in the 39th minute – a good goal for the North Kerry side, but then in the space of four minutes it was game over when Jack O’Shea and Seán Dukes pointed after good support play by Jack Morgan and a clincher of a goal by Alan Duggan (who celebrated his 21st birthday last Wednesday – belated happy birthday Alan) following good work by Seán Fitzmaurice. A pointed free by Ballydonoghue followed and the last score of the game was a 5th goal for us put away beautifully by Greg Horan. So it’s now on to the final of the competition when we face Templenoe on a date and venue to be fixed. Team: Patrick Fitzgibbon, Jack Morgan (0-1), Barry Walsh, Colin Griffin, Dylan Harnett, Eoghan McKivergan, Jack O’Shea (1-1), Alan Duggan (Capt) (1-1), Conor Jordan, Shane Crowley, Greg Horan (2-1), Louis Ryle, Seán Fitzmaurice (0-1 free), Seán Dukes (0-1), Philip Quilter (1-0). Subs used: Paul Galvin (ht), Seán Hurley (38m), Oisín Fitzgerald (38m).
MINOR FOOTBALL: We still have nothing finalized in relation to our forthcoming semi final date away to An Ghaeltacht in the Central League. Check Website for updates.
CONGRATULATIONS: to former Club Footballer, Tommy O’Connor (son of current Club Chairman, Aidan) and his new Bride, Tara Crean, who were married at the weekend.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Des at 066 7126942 after 8pm any evening.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last Night’s (26th Oct) Jackpot, worth €5,000, was not won. The numbers drawn were 16, 17, 19, and 27. The €20 Winners were: Brian Caball, c/o Club Rockies; Jack McKivergan, c/o John Breen; Ann Murphy, c/o The Ladies; Brian Collins, c/o Martin Collins; and Teresa O’Connor, c/o Carmel O’Neill.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of the following who died recently – Anita Shanahan (nee O’Connell), Tullig, Kilflynn and late of Racecourse Road; Peggy Burke (nee Murphy), Athea and late of Tralee and London; Jerome O’Leary, Cahermoneen; James King, Clash West; and John O’Shea, Fountain Court and late of Derreen, Cahersiveen (father of current SF Club Footballer, Deirdre).