PEIL FAOI 15: What an enjoyable celebration was held in The Kerins-O’Rahilly Club premises on Friday night last! It was the occasion of the presentation of medals and special awards to the boys of the Tralee District Under 15 football team, winners of the Divisional County Championship. The event was hosted by the Tralee Board under the leadership of Seán de Rís (cathaoirleach) and Seán Ó Slatara (rúnaí), both of whom spoke eloquently, glowingly and proudly of a wonderful group of young Tralee players who did themselves, their families and their clubs proud! True champions indeed after a very exciting and very close game v Oileán Ciarraí! Everybody was in agreement that both teams were outstanding in what many thought was one of the best and most exciting finals played i bPáirc Aibhistín de Staic. Yes, it took two excellent panels…Castle Island and Tralee…to produce such an exhibition! Gaelic football at its purest! Future Green‘n’Gold stars on view on both sides, gan aon agó! And now everybody is looking forward to seeing these lads playing at the same high standard in 2023! The John Mitchel, Kerins-O’Rahilly and Austin Stack Clubs can in truth be proud of these lads! The management trio also deserve high praise! Bainisteoir Ed Lacey spoke highly of ‘his boys’…..each player was named and the ‘audience’ of parents, grandparents, siblings and aficionados of the pigskin, was given detailed accounts of the wonderful skills and exploits exhibited by the lads. We were told how they are maturing as players and, níos tábhachtaí fós, as young men who have shown what true dedication and commitment can produce. They are good examples for our town’s younger players! John Brosnan also spoke inspiringly to these young men; he movingly told of his own U15 experience of winning a ‘county medal’ and of its importance to him! ‘Appreciate what you’ve achieved, boys! That medal will be something to savour in years to come,’ he told them. Our own Morgan O’Connell was also an important part the management ‘triumvirate.’ Sea, ocáid dár saol a bhí ann….a night to remember!
Awards were presented by Seán Ó Slatara on behalf of Bord Thrá Lí. Man-of-the-Match awards were presented to Cormac Bastible (v Ciarraí Thuaidh…1-14 to 1-13), Conor Dennihy (v Corca Dhuibhne…2-18 to 2-11), David Carroll (v Ceantar Neidín…6-15 to 3-9), Gearóid de Faoite (v Ciarraí Thoir (2-11 to 0-14), Ryan O’Driscoll (v Oileán Ciarraí…the fantastic final victory). Top Scorer: Ronan Carroll (2-24), Special Recognition: Olivier Lata. Player of the Tournament: Ronan Carroll. Vis unita fortior! Bordcheantar Thrá Lí Abú!An painéal buacach: Ben Murphy (captaen), Ryan O’Driscoll (leaschaptaen), Olivier Lata, Bao Foley, Liam O’Connell, Fionnán Ryan, Ronan Carroll, Gavin Ó Cathasaigh, Cormac Bastible, Alex Tuohy, Max Maszorek, Rory Ó Loingsigh, Leon Sweeney, Rian Walsh, Cody O’Sullivan and Max Maszorek. (Naode Derege and Leon O’Connor were involved in earlier rounds).
SCÓR na nÓG: Who’ll represent The Rock in Scór na nÓg (Faoi 17)….solo singing, a five-person (boys or girls) ballad group, a grúpa ceoil, a four-person table quiz team, dán/scéal/recitation, a figure dance, a set?
COLÁISTÍ….ROCK PLAYERS IN COLLEGE GAMES:
(i) Best wishes to the Mercy Mounthawk lads v Coláiste na Sceilge (‘Sceilg’) this Wednesday (7ú Nollaig). The Rock players on the panel: Mícheál Tansley, Jack Ó Murchú, Ben Ó Murchú, Daniel Ó Ciarba, Cillian Litchfield, Paidí Ó Laighin, Noah Townsend, Liam Ó Cearmada.
(ii) Good luck to the Tralee CBS boys in their next game in the Munster Colleges Senior Football (Corn Uí Mhuirí) competition (Faoi 19). This match is expected to take place on the 12th December (Monday). Seo iad buachaillí na Carraige ar an bpainéal: Colm de Brún (captaen), Éanna Ó Cathail, Ryan Ó Drisceoil, Rónán Ó Cearúill, Josh Ó Loingsigh, Damien Ó hÓgáin, Tomás Derege, Seán Ó Muimhneacháin agus Donnacha Mac an tSaoir.
(iii) ‘Well done’ to the Tralee CBS boys who defeated Coláiste Naomh Mícheál in the Kerry Colleges Senior Football semi-final (Corn Dhún Lóich – Faoi 19)….3-9 to 0-3. The Tralee boys will now face Coláiste Bréanainn in the final…..time/date/venue to be decided. Good luck to Colm de Brún, Éanna Ó Cathail, Ryan Ó Drisceoil, Rónán Ó Cearúill, Josh Ó Loingsigh, Damien Ó hÓgáin, Tomás Derege, Seán Ó Muimhneacháin agus Donnacha Mac an tSaoir.
(iv) Tralee CBS U16½ hurlers are still savouring their Munster Hurling ‘C’ final victory v Coláiste Naomh Aibhistín, Dún Gharbhán….1-21 to 1-15. Corn Dhara Uí Dhonnabháin is resting happily in The Green. Our own Liam Ó Conaill, Tomás Ó Conaill and Fionnán Ó Riain were among the nine Tralee players on the panel.
(v) Chloígh foireann shinsearach an Ghaelcholáiste muintir Thairbirt tráthnóna Dé Luain! Undoubtedly, this encounter will be recalled as a skilful classy affair. The Gaelcholáiste gaiscígh arrived at Páirc Uí hÉalaithe, Baile Riocaird, buoyed with confidence following their successful weekly training sessions. The Rac-Realtaí amongst our painéal gritted their teeth as feadóg tosaigh an réiteora sounded. The early scores went their way and so too did a sublime well-worked Jack Ó Dúghaill strike midway through the first half. Buachaillí Thairbirt retaliated throughout, chipping away at the lead apace. Ach sheas ár Laochra Gael an fód go fóill through 60 tense minutes and the winning score was secured with the final three pips of the ref’s whistle. This splendid win serves as an early Christmas present for ár ngaiscígh and another tasty encounter awaits…against Coláiste Rís, Inis, Dé Luain seo chughann. Fanaigí linn…this firecracker of a fixture will be documented in the next edition of these notes. Go n-éirí libh, a laochra! (Dáithí Ó Loingsigh)
(vi) The Mercy Mounthawk senior players with seven Rock players on board are preparing diligently for their next football encounter. Good wishes to Róise Ní Dhónaill (captaen), Gráinne Ní Riada, Máire de Mórdha, Lúsaí Ní Chonchúir, Holly Ní Bhriain, Gráinne Ní Luasaigh and Rachel Mulgrew.
CLUB LOTTO: Thanks to all who continually support and promote our club lotto: (i) Husseys’ Deli, Prince’s Quay, (ii) Carmel O’Neill and others, (iii) Maguires’ Butcher Shop, Caherslee, (iv) Barrys’ Supermarket, Upper Rock Street, (v) Paudie Commane’s Bookshop, Rock Street, (vi) The Burger Shack, Monavalley, (vii) O’Flynn Interiors (Malachy Nagle), Lower Rock Street, (viii) Kirbys’ Brogue Inn, Lower Rock Street, (ix) www.austinstacks.ie (x) and/or on https://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=X529#Anchor
CLUB MERCHANDISE: (i) Our Club shop is open seacht lá na seachtaine. The newest official Austin Stack Club merchandise is only available to order on this link (free delivery on any orders over €50). Téigh go www.oneills.com (ii) Keohane Athletic’s ‘Urban Terrace’….limited stock (2xM, 2xL, 11xXL, 4x2XL). Order now to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. The original ‘Street of Champions’…from this terrace of 20 houses, 21 All-Ireland senior football medals were won by Austin Stack Club players over 18 years, from 1924 to 1942. Seo é an suíomh: https://keohaneathleticclub.com/product/urban-terrace/
CRAOBH NA MUMHAN: Go n-éirí le ‘Gormaigh’ Bhóthar na Trá v Caisleán Nua Thiar (Luimneach) i gCraobhchluiche Sinsearach na Mumhan ar an Satharn beag seo.