U21 FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-5; Castlegregory 1-4.
Our U21 footballers are the new County Club Champions after winning this absorbing contest at Listry last Saturday (1st Nov.) afternoon.
On the stroke of full time we were trailing by two points. Then a long ball into the full forward line found Barry Shanahan. He fielded beautifully and slotted the ball to the net for the winning score.
We started well and were three points up after six minutes. A Graham O’Connell free followed by points from play by Fiachna Mangan and Joey Kinsella were our contribitors.
unbelievably there was just one more score in this first half and this was a Castlegregory goal in the 26th minute to leave the sides level at half time.
The second half was just twenty six seconds old when a Graham O’Connell free put us ahead again.
Castle then scored three points on the trot to go two up. David Mannix pointed in the 22nd minute from a free only for the West Kerry side to restore their two points lead two minutes later. Then came that winning goal in the 60th minute. Three minutes of added time was played and Pa McCarthy saved a certain equaliser with a timely clearance deep in injury time.
This was a welcome victory – our first senior County title since the famous C Team won the County Championship and League double in 2005. It was our second ever County title at U21 level – we won the U21 Co Championship in 2002.
Great credit to the whole squad and to their super mentors Wayne Quillinan, Darragh Long and Owen Moynihan and to everyone else in the background including Paudie McQuinn (Physio), Seamus Smith, Ger Mannix and Paudie Commane.
Team Captain Brían Mangan accepted the Tom Naughton Cup (the late Tom was one of the Club’s and the County’s greatest supporters, with an encyclopedic knowledge of Gaelic Football) from Tom’s daughter Anne Slattery (wife of Tim Tiger Slattery) and thus began a famous weekend of deserved celebration.
Team: Seamus Bastible, Pa McCarthy, Denis Costelloe, John Dennis, Des Fitzgerald, Alain Creagh, Barry Shanahan (1-0), Wayne Gutherie, Brían Mangan, Fiachna Mangan (0-1), Damien Quirke, Denis McElligott, Joey Kinsella (0-1), Graham O’Connell (0-2 frees), Shane Carroll.
Subs: David Mannix (42m) (0-1 free), Sean Purcell (52m).
JUNIOR HURLING: The semi finals of the JH Co. Championship are fixed for this Saturday afternoon (8th November) at 3pm.
We travel to Ardfert to play St. Brendans. The 2nd semi final is between St. Pats (East Kerry) and O’Dorney at Lewis Road.
SPONSORSHIP: Slatterys Travel are the Club’s current main sponsors. We encourage all members and supporters to support our sponsors whenever possible.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: We all wish Club Treasurer, Canice Walsh a very happy birthday which was celebrated in style last Saturday night with a party in the Abbey.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Kieran Donaghy on his super performances for Ireland in the International Rules games down under during the past two weeks.
BEST WISHES: to Kerins O’Rahillys as they represent the County in the quarter final of the Munster Club Championship against Nemo Rangers on this coming Sunday.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ PARTY: This year’s Senior Citizens’ Party takes place in the Clubhouse on Sunday, 14th December. Anyone willing to give an organisational hand or some sponsorship towards the event should contact Harry at the Club.
CLUB MERCHANDISE: The Club is now stocking the new range of merchandise, including gear, leisurewear, replica jerseys, shorts, socks, , rain jackets, hoodies, polo shirts, grandad shirts, baseball caps and woolly hats – all featuring the new Club logo and available exclusively through the Club.
The range features products never previously available to the Club and is proving very popular. The items are great for birthday and Christmas presents etc.
BINGO: Our weekly session continues on this and every Saturday night at 8.30pm.
CARDS: The 45 Cards School continues on Mondays and Thursdays at 9.30pm.
POKER CLASSIC: The Texas Holdem Poker Classic continues every Friday night at 8.30pm.
LOTTO: Last Monday’s (3rd Nov) Jackpot worth E2,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 3, 17, 19, 21.
The E100 prize was won by Niamh Dempsey, c/o Club Rockies; with E20 each going to Kevin Barry, c/o Club Rockies; Peggy Diggins, c/o The Bingo; and David Prendergast, Brendan Lucid and Joanie Lowe & Carmel Quirke, all c/o Eddie O’Sullivan.
Next Monday’s (10th Nov) Jackpot will be worth E2,100.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is offered to the families of Michael Buckley, Cois Coille and late of Kilcummin; Anthony Evans, Park Lane; Mary Brassil, Caherina; Owen O’Shea, Killarney (uncle of Adrian & Gerard O’Sullivan); and Pat O’Sullivan, Tonevane who died during the past week.