THE REFEREE: Football and hurling organisers (GAA) in Kerry are inviting young people and former players who might have an interest in refereeing our games to take part in a training course that will commence shortly. When qualified, these new réiteoirí will be afforded opportunities to officiate at Under 11 and Under 13 games. Some or many of these newly qualified refs might, with some extra guidance, be afforded opportunities to referee senior games within a year or two. Spéis agat? Anyone interested is requested to contact the Austin Stack Club secretary, Elma Nix, on 086 1053300.
PEIL FAOI 7/9/11/13/15/17: Keep up the exercises…(i) kick passes –both feet, (ii) solos –both feet, (iii) pick-ups –booth feet, (iv) fist passes – lámh chlé, lámh dheas, (v) body catches, (vi) high catches and (vii) running. Cleachtadh a dhéanann máistreacht! Practice makes perfect!
AN Zúmsheisiún FAOI 13: Our Zoom fitness series was once again beamed out live to nearly three dozen Rock households. We had more stability exercises and, anuas ar sin, we went through 40 minutes of planks, taps, bridges and raises. A big thank you once again to our exercises’ leader, Eric, who continues to do so much for the well-being of the group during this unfortunate dianghlasáil. We’re back online again this weekend with the day and time to be confirmed during the week on the Parents’ Group WhatsApp. Keep using the ball and the wall to keep your footballing skills sharp and ready for the return to play…ball agus balla! Outdoor training is coming nearer and nearer with every passing day agus, le cúnamh Dé, ní fada go mbeimid ar pháirc ghlas na himeartha.
PEIL FAOI 15: This week’s Under 15 profiles are as follows: (i) Brendan Maunsell (Breandán Móinséil) is a footballer who can play in numerous positions….he makes himself at home anywhere on any green GAA sod, either at home or away; when he’s in possession he’s very comfortable on the ball; he trains really really hard and, thus, does himself justice during every game….a superb performer; imreoir iontach is ea Breandán. (ii) Liam Ó Conaill (O’Connell) is a very strong defender and can make life a misery for whoever is tasked with rounding him or even trying to gain possession in his presence; he has good hands and when he gets the leather in his paws, he doesn’t give it away too easily….he treats the ball like gold dust; this young man has great potential; cuireann sé go mór leis an bhfoireann. (iii) Tomás Ó Conaill is one of the most skilful defenders on the panel….tá sé cumasach agus ábalta agus is beag scil peile nach bhfuil aige; he’s well capable of reading the forward movements of his opponents and seems to know what they’re thinking; he works hard at his game and he is continually improving…is sár-imreoir é. (iv) Jake O’Connor (Ó Conchúir) is a very classy forward and has style to burn…..tá na scileanna peile go han-mhaith aige; he very accurate in his kicking…a worthwhile skill for a good attacker…and can put the ball wherever he wants – he specializes in pinpoint passes and valuable scores; he’s great on the training pitch….he gives it his all and is a shining example to his teammates; ard-imreoir is ea é. (v) Ryan McMahon (Rian Mac Mathúna) is a very smart half-forward….tá sé chomh glic leis an madra rua…and knows how to find a pathway through a group of defenders (in a David Clifford kind of way); he’s a brilliant and accurate passer of the ball….chuirfeadh sé an ‘craiceann muice’ (an liathróid) i do phóca duit; he has good focus and a great attitude when on the field of play…togha imreora. Mórbhuíochas le Richie Conway a chuir peann le pár chun an t-eolas thuas a thabhairt dúinn.
FOCLÓIR: Do you know your position on the field of play or on the sideline? ionadaí = fear ionaid = substitute; ionadaithe = fir ionaid = substitutes; I’m first sub = is mise an chéad ionadaí; you’re second sub = is tusa an dara hionadaí; water official = maor uisce; goal umpire = maor cúil; sideline official = maor líne; traenálaí = cóitseálaí = trainer = coach; bainisteoir = manager; cúl báire = báireoir = goalkeeper; leathchúlaí deas = right half-back; leathchúlaí clé = left half-back; tosaithe = ionsaitheoirí = attackers; lántosaí (lántosach) deas = right full-forward; lántosaí láir = centre full-forward; lántosaí clé = left half-forward.
CLUB LOTTO: Club lotto tickets may be purchased at (i) The Burger Shack, Monavalley, (ii) O’Flynn Interiors, Rock Street, (iii) Kirbys’ Brogue Inn, Rock Street, (iv) Husseys’ Deli, Prince’s Quay, (v) Maguires, Butchers, Caherslee, (vi) Kevin Barry’s Shop, Upper Rock Street, (vii) Paudie Commane’s Book Shop, Rock Street, (viii) Terry’s Butcher Shop, Oakpark, and (ix) on www.austinstacks.ie. Ní fheadar an mbuafar an €13,400 go deo!
PEIL FAOI 17: Their big day is getting closer! Our Kerry boys are still keeping themselves fit and ready: Jordan Ó Cíosáin, Dean Rusk, Conchúr Ó hÓráin, Séan de Bastábla, Seosamh de Nógla, Armin Heinrich agus Ben Cuiltéir.
BÓITHRÍN NA SMAOINTE: Another sharing of nice Rock memories! ‘An Comórtas Lee Strand:
Is comórtas mór é Comórtas Lee Strand. Is comórtas é i gcuimhne ar Denny O’Connor. Tá sé ar siúl le 35 bliain. An uair dheireanach a imríodh é, bhíomar cóngarach don bhua. Sa chéad chluiche d’imríomar i gcoinne foireann den scoth darbh ainm Oranmore (Órán Mór), bhí an t-ádh linn agus bhuamar le dhá phointe. Sa chluiche leathcheannais, d’imríomar i gcoinne Ballyboden-St Endas (Baile Baodáin-Naomh Éanna) ó Bhaile Átha Cliath. Bhíomar gob ar ghob ach bhí an fuinneamh is mó againne ag teacht chun deiridh agus bhuamar le ceithre phointe. Bhíomar ar mhuin na muice! Bhí an chraobh ar siúl an mhaidin dár gcionn agus bhíomar ar bís. Bhíomar i gcoinne Clontarf (Cluain Tarbh), foireann eile ó Bhaile Átha Cliath, sa chraobh. Bhí an staid dubh le daoine agus bhí atmaisféar den scoth ann. Rinneamar iarracht mhaith ach ní raibh an t-ádh linn sa chluiche seo. Ní dhéanfaidh mé dearmad go deo ar an gcomórtas seo!’
The “Denis O’Connor Lee Strand Tournament” in honour of the late Denis O’Connor who passed away in March 2017.
Any other courageous ‘writers’ (no age barrier!)? Would you like to ‘have a go’ and send in a favourite football memory? Mo chéad chluiche leis an gclub. Geansaí dubh is ómrach á chur orm don chéad uair. Cluiche mór a chaill/bhuaigh mé. Lá a thug mé cuairt ar chlub eile. Mo chéad scór. Scríobh síos do chuimhní (memories) and see your memories on www.austinstacks and in The Kerryman! Up The Rock!