MEMORIAL CUP SUNDAY: The football season for our U7, U9 and U11 boys concluded in a sunny Connolly Park on Sunday 22nd October. The morning’s activities commenced with the traditional Memorial Cup Sunday parade and the playing/singing of ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’ i bPáirc na mBan Rialta. The competitive action began when the players had sprinted to their respective pitches….the Nuns’ Field, the Bishop’s Field and the (as-yet-unnamed!) Main Pitch. The U9 boys competed with every muscle, fibre and sinew in their bodies for their three ‘big’ cups….the Jimmy Barry Memorial Cup, the Bracker O’Regan Memorial Cup and the Paddy Drummond Memorial Cup. For some on terrace and sideline the memory of those former Rock stalwarts was ever-present but the focus of the Black‘n’Amber or ‘apron-clad’ youngsters was the various battles for supremacy that raged inside the white lines. And the skilful ‘Gaelic’ that has evolved from ‘the ancient game of caid’ was the order of the day!
Martin (a very capable point-scorer in bygone days!) and Carmel O’Regan presented the Bracker O’Regan Cup to U9 joint captains, Dean Ferriter and Darragh Counihan. Joan Barry presented the Jimmy Barry Cup to another U9, Ciarán Murphy. Tim McMahon presented his granduncle’s trophy, the Paddy Drummond Cup, to a third U9 captain, Ruane Lawlor.The U7 boys also gave their ‘all,’ showing their tenacity and their newly-learned skills (from the season’s many coaching sessions!) as they played their finals with might and main on the Main Pitch. All were presented with their precious medals….and that important little ceremony was followed with welcome refreshments after which all competitors proudly posed for a group picture. Pleasant memories for the future!
The U11 boys were treated to a pizza party after their finals. Colm Mangan, our longest-serving and most enthusiastic mentor coordinated the events in the clubrooms and spoke eloquently on the proud history and inspiring stories behind the John Galvin and Garry Fernane Cups The assembled U11 squad, as well as family members present, listened with rapt attention to briathra binn an Mhongánaigh and were impressed! The tradition and lore of ‘The Street of Champions’ lives on! Minor club football heroes, Paddy Lane and Ben Murphy, presented the cups and medals to future stars of The Rock. The U11 captain, Hugh Brassil, received the John Galvin Cup from Paddy Lane and the U11 captain, Jamie Quillinan, received the Garry Fernane Cup from Ben Murphy.
This special day (though an emotional occasion for some) in the life our 106-year old club brought a clabhsúr to a busy, enjoyable and successful Black‘n’Amber season. Many thanks to all who made it happen….traenálaithe, oifigigh agus teaghlaigh….a team effort! Nach ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid? (A.Mhic Lochlainn/T.Mac Mathúna/C.Ó Mongáin)
SCÓR na bPÁISTÍ: Now is the time to encourage primary school pupils to take part in Scór na bPáistí. Have we a singer in our club? Four for a quiz team? A few trad musicians? All district finals must be completed by February 25th. The county final of Primary School Scór (Scór na bPáistí) will take place on March 23rd 2024. The competition will end at county level.
CNOC an tSEABHAIC: (i) The Mounthawk senior team played and soundly defeated Coláiste Chríost Rí on Wednesday (8th) in Group 1 of the Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster Colleges) competition….1-25 to 1-5. What a victory! The game was played in Banteer, Co. Cork. (ii) Go n-éirí go geal le buachaillí Chnoc a’ tSeabhaic v Coláiste Bréanainn in the final of the Corn Uí Shúilleabháin (Kerry Colleges) senior football competition. The 8 Rockmen on the team: Michael Tansley, Pádraig Ó hAllmharáin, Jack Ó Murchú, Ben Ó Murchú, Daniel Ó Ciarba, James Fisher, Paidí Ó Laighin, Noah Townsend. (P.Ó hAllmharáin) (iii) The U17 Mounthawk boys challenged The Sem on Tuesday (14th). The Rock representatives on the panel: Ben Litchfield, Harry Murphy, Ben Murphy, Alex Touhy, Cormac Bastible, Eoin Murphy, Liam Sweeney-O’Connor, Jay Sweeney-O’Connor, Jayden Moriarty, Jack Shanahan and Jack Diggin. (B.Litchfield)
AN GAELCHOLÁISTE: Bhí mí-ádh mór ar ár laochra i gColáiste Luimnigh Dé Luain (5ú). Sinsir an Ghaelcholáiste were certainly up against it on the campus astro against a strong Spanish Point side. Luke agus Gavin Ó Cathasaigh delivered stellar performances i gcluiche a bhí idir dhá cheann na meá go dtí’n nóiméad deiridh. Faraor géar, our laochra were pipped at the post by a single point. Understandably disheartened, táimid fós an-bhródúil as ár bpeileadóirí. Beidh lá eile acu/againn!
THE GREEN: (i) The Green seniors (U19) took on Pobalscoil an Sciobairín in Banteer in the Corn Uí Mhuirí competition (Group 4) and won by a whopping 0-7…..1-17 to 1-9. Well done, The Green! The 7 Rockmen on the team: Thomas Deregee (4); Fionnán Ryan (8); Ronan Carroll (11); Olivier Lata (16); Ryan O’Driscoll, Donnacha Horgan (21); Seán Óg Ó Brosnacháin (22). (ii) Good luck to the U17 Green team in their quest for the Dunloe Cup (Kerry). The 5 Rockmen on the panel: Oliver Lata, Ronan Carroll, Ryan O’Driscoll, Fionnán Ryan, Aodhán Horgan. (iii) Sympathies to The Green U15s who played in the U15A Munster Final (Bro. Taft Cup) against The Sem. Unfortunately, after an exciting and hard-fought encounter and after extra time, our boys were on the unlucky side of the scoring. Result….Tralee CBS: 1-13; Coláiste Bréanainn: 3-9. (Buann cúil cluichí, a deirtear!) Imríodh an cluiche i Staid a’Ghearaltaigh i gCill Airne. The Rock players on the panel: Eoin Mangan (7), Danny Lane (13), Jack Delaney (27), Barry Laide (42). Comhbhainisteoir: Dale Counihan. (T.Mac Mathúna/A.Mhic Lochlainn)
PEIL FAOI 17: Our outstanding Minors will receive their Minor County League (Division 1) WINNERS medals and their Minor Club Championship WINNERS medals at 7pm on Saturday 2nd December in the clubhouse. We are so proud of the achievements of these U17 stars! Everybody is encouraged to come along to this very special night….particularly parents, family, friends and club members. This will be an historic occasion for The Rock Club. Beidh móruaisle na Carraige i láthair! Make note of the date on your calendar!
CLUB LOTTO: Mórbhuíochas le lucht gnó Thrá Lí a thugann tacaíocht dár gclub lotto: (i) O’Flynn Interiors, The Rock; (ii) Hussey’s Deli and Newsagency, Prince’s Quay; (iii) The Burger Shack, Monavalley; (iv) Kirby’s Brogue Inn, The Rock; (v) Siopa de Barra, An Charraig; (vi) Commane’s Bookshop (PC Books), The Rock.
SIOPA AN CHLUB: For club gear go to www.oneills.com
CLANN ACLAÍ CHIARRAÍ: ‘Best of luck’ to former hurler, Dáithí O’Regan, and to his family, Oisín, Daibhéid and Tara, in their upcoming round of the ‘Ireland’s Fittest Family’ competition. An Charraig Abú!
GAA POP-UP GAELTACHT: To give an opportunity to people who might like to use their spoken Irish the Munster Council of the GAA is organising a Pop-Up Gaeltacht and it will take place in the Green Room in Óstán Ghleann an Iolair (Gleneagle Hotel) i gCill Airne this Friday (17ú Samhain) at 8.30pm. ‘Fáilte roimh chách agus tá áit ann dúinn go léir,’ a deir Aedín Ní Bhriain (087 4611303), Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge, CLG na Mumhan. Sea, the Pop-Up Gaeltacht is in fashion agus tá CLG (that’s us!!) i lár an aonaigh!