FAOI 7 go FAOI 13: These groups, as well as our All-Stars, are on shutdown! We’ll resume business in 2023. Meanwhile all are requested to do some training and ball work on their own or with friends. Avail of dry days to get outdoors and kick leather or even plastic or swing an ash camán. One could work on penalty taking or the jab pickup, the solo or the side-step!
JOIN THE CLUB! Who’d like to get involved in the Austin Stack Club? Our coaching committee is asking people interested in getting involved in 2023 to contact Éamonn on 087 9677034 by Friday 11th November. Let him know your thoughts re joining the Black’n’Amber Brigade. Have you a particular interest….manager, coach, helper, administrator, physical development, skills, jerseys, etc, etc? Age group…youth or adult sections? All replies will be assessed, people will be contacted as appropriate and may be recommended to relevant AGMs.
JOHN LYNCH TOURNAMENT: Saturday 29th last saw the 6th renewal of the John Lynch Memorial U10 Tournament. Now a staple fixture in the calendars of clubs throughout the land, the 2022 renewal was again a fantastic event and saw 494 young players leaving Connolly Park with wide smiles on their faces….iad chomh sásta le Diúic! Two teams each from Naas, Kilmacud, St Judes, Glanmire, St Finbarrs, Port Laoise, Oranmore, Legion, Listowel, Na Mistéalaigh, Na Gaeil, An Ghaeltacht, Milltown, Laune Rangers and Kilcummin joined the young Rockies for a great day’s action with simultaneous games across 16 pitches in Caherslee and in Connolly Park. The spirit of friendship and enjoyment was typified by all the players and their large entourages being piped from Caherslee and, on arrival, being met and cheered by a huge guard of honour that was provided by all the other teams that played their group matches in Connolly Park. Our own Rockies were to the fore from the very off and reached the Cup Final, coming up against the might of Kilmacud. After two titanic games the pendulum swung very barely towards the Dubs but that mattered little as our own warriors had shown that this team will be on Rockie lips for many years to come. Enjoyment and smiles on young faces has always been the motto of the event and this was again achieved in spades with the help of a huge crew of volunteers, referees, stewards and committee members. Right from the first of 32 goalposts being put in place on Thursday by John and Noel to the final sausage being sent out by Harry, Annette, Bróna, Nóra, Catherine and crew, via the cajoling ref calls from Denis S and the last instruction from Mike C in Caherslee, to the final goalpost return delivery by Liam G to Na Gaeil and Mitchels, everyone did The Rock proud. We are looking forward to 2023 already! (Liam Ó Loingsigh)
FINAL FAOI 15: The Tralee/St Brendan District Under 15 Championship final, sponsored by Suits Select, took place on Sunday morning last. The boys of Ballymacelligott, our close rivals who had defeated Na Mistéalaigh, were our opponents. The game was played in the new pitch in Ardfert (behind the Community Centre). Conditions were difficult for both teams with a strong wind dictating teams’ tactics. Our boys played into the wind in the first half and showed great teamwork and athleticism on numerous occasions as they worked the ball into scoring positions. Our midfield and defence did Trojan work to keep several strong Ballymac attacks at bay. We led…2-3 to 0-4…at half time. With the aid of the breeze in the second half we managed to stretch our lead further with a well-worked goal from the always dangerous Ryan O’Driscoll. Ballymac never gave up the fight and our goalie and defence worked really hard to repel several dangerous attacks. We ran out worthy winners on a final score of 3-7 to 1-7. Really well done, boys! Thanks to our generous competition sponsors Suits Select and to the Boards of Tralee Town and St Brendan’s District for organising the championship and providing the pitch. Thanks to réiteoir, Billy Lacey, for a job well done and to our worthy opponents, Ballymac, for a good sporting contest. Maith sibh, a bhuachaillí, a bhainisteoirí agus a lucht leanúna. Up The Rock!
COLÁISTÍ: (i) This is a big important week of Corn Uí Mhuirí (U19) football. On Wednesday (9ú Samhain) Mercy Mounthawk get their campaign (belatedly) underway in Banteer at 1.30pm. They face Coláiste Choilm, Baile an Chollaigh. This is Mounthawk’s first big challenge in the competition following the postponement of their game v Coláiste na Sceilge; that match will be played ar an 7ú Nollaig (Wednesday). Killarney’s Coláiste Bhréanainn will play ‘Sceilg’ (Coláiste na Sceilge) in the other game in the group. The Rockmen of Mounthawk: Mícheál Tansley (báireoir), Jack Ó Murchú (3), Daniel Ó Ciarba (6), Ben Ó Murchú (7), Cillian Litchfield (14), Paidí Ó Laighin (15), Liam Ó Cearmada (16), Noah Townsend (17).
(ii) Also, in the Munster Colleges Senior Football competition (Faoi 19), The Green boys, are up against a strong Pobalscoil na Rátha Móire team on Thursday (10ú Samhain) at 1.30pm in Currans. This Tralee team has already pipped Coláiste Fhlannáin, Inis, by 0-2. In that game flying wing back Colm de Brún accounted for 1-2 of the team’s 1-9 tally….a captain leading by example! Victory v buachaillí na Rátha Móire will ensure that The Green will go through to knockout football after Christmas. St Flannans play the Clonakilty boys who easily accounted for Rathmore in Round 1. Rock players on The Green team: Colm de Brún (7), Éanna Ó Cathail (10), Rónán Ó Cearúill (12), Josh Ó Loingsigh (21) agus Ryan Ó Drisceoil (28).
CLUB LOTTO: Thanks to all who support and promote our club lotto: (i) Paudie Commane’s Bookshop, Rock Street, (ii) The Burger Shack, Monavalley, (iii) O’Flynn Interiors (Malachy Nagle), Lower Rock Street, (iv) Kirbys’ Brogue Inn, Lower Rock Street, (v) Husseys’ Deli, Prince’s Quay, (vi) Carmel O’Neill and others, (vii) Maguires’ Butcher Shop, Caherslee, (viii) Barrys’ Supermarket, Upper Rock Street, (ix) www.austinstacks.ie (x) and/or on https://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=X529#Anchor
AN SIOPA: The official Austin Stack Club merchandise may be ordered on this link: www.oneills.com. (Free delivery on any orders over €50).
SCÓR na SINSEAR: Best wishes to the Kerry performers in the All-Ireland finals of Scór on Saturday next (12ú Samhain) i gCaisleán an Bharraigh, Co. Mhaigh Eo: (i) tráth na gceist: Pearse Brothers Club, Churchill….our neighbours; (ii) amhránaíocht: Marcas Ó Laoire, Gníomh go Leith; (iii) rince seit: Gníomh go Leith. An Ríocht Abú!