PEIL FAOI 15: This squad is looking forward with great anticipation to their (Under 15) trip to the Fermoy (Co. Cork) GAA club…to participate in the Fermoy annual football tournament…on Saturday (April 4th). It is hoped that they’ll have a great trip cois Abhann Móire (Blackwater) agus tá siad ag súil go mór leis! This group of players finished the ‘o8 season with a flourish and they will be reacquainting themselves with the excellent John Mitchel Club Under 14s…in the same competition. We wish them well.
PEIL FAOI 6/8/10: Training for all Under 6, Under 8 and Under 10 boys…oldcomers and newcomers…an seandream agus daoine nua…will be held again this Sunday at 11am in Caherslee. See you all, fellows! Good football was played last Sunday! This Sunday will see even better football! The forecast is good, too! Everybody welcome! Bring a pal! Get early Mass agus bígí in am!
CAMPA PEILE NA CÁSCA: Our annual Easter Camp will be held from Tuesday 14ú Aibreán to Friday 17ú Aibreán for boys and for girls Under 8 and Under 10. An event not to be missed. Venue: C.B.S.~The Green. Mark those dates in your Austin Stack Club calendar!
HURLING UNDER 16/17/18: Hurling training will take place at 5.30pm in Connolly Park on this Friday, 3ú Aibreán. Remember: Fridays will be for HURLING only and, so, commitments to other codes won’t hinder our dedication to the “skilful game”. Chun oibre linn!
UNDER 12: Nick McEllistrim, Eddie Scanlon, Colm Mangan, Gareth Moore, John Murray and Éamonn O’Reilly are working hard with the ‘o9 under 12 stars as they prepare for the county league which will commence on 14th April. Training continues for this group at 6pm on Mondays and on Thursdays at 6pm in Caherslee. Beidh foireann A agus foireann B againn i mbliana. Cleachtadh a chuireann feabhas ar na matáin (muscles), fad sna ciceanna agus scóranna ar chlár na scóranna!
COACHING: It’s good to note that Kerry hurler John Griffin is visiting Tralee schools with the intention of improving the standard of hurling and getting more youngsters involved in the “skilful game.” John is one of the stars of the Kerry hurling team at the present time!
GOOD LUCK: Well done to the Kerry senior hurlers who gave game Antrim a good run at the weekend…and almost pipped them.
ACADAMH NA gCAILÍNÍ: (i) On Sunday morning, before training at Caherslee, I drove a number of miles both east and west of Tralee through rain but the nearer I got to Caherslee the drier it got; let’s hope that this is a sign of things to come…for every Sunday morning…somebody “up above” knows where the good footballers train! With the clocks changing overnight and the cold bearing its teeth, we were not sure how many of our girls would attend training last Sunday morning! We should have known better…with, once again, over sixty girls arriving in Caherslee…that’s dedication! Again, we were pleased to welcome some more new girls who did not want to miss the craic on a Sunday morning with the Rockies. Just before 11am some of the girls who had already arrived were feeling the cold as they waited around and, so, the elder girls took the younger girls for a little run around to warm them up. Full credit to the senior girls for the way they conducted themselves during this pre-session. The girls then split up into their age groups and had various drills and games. Some of the Under 10 girls were good enough to show their mentors a new drill/game which was enjoyed by all. We are always open to any suggestions from girls or parents as…although, of course, we are all “qualified GAA trained coaches”…new ideas come from the head ~ not from a book.
Training continues next Sunday for all Under 6 to Under 12 girls at Caherslee with the usual throw in time of 11am. We have almost reached a “century” of girls…will it be this week?
(ii) REGISTRATION: Please ensure that registration fees have been paid and that all the girls’ details are correct.
(iii) GUM SHIELDS: It is good to see so many more girls wearing gum shields. As has been said before: this is very important…teeth can be much more expensive than gum shields…also you do not have to make an appointment to wear a gum shield!
(iv) MUMS GET ACTIVE: The Austin Stack Club Ladies have received grant aid from Kerry Local Sports’ Partnership to develop a mum’s active programme. It is proposed to run the programme in Connolly Park on Sunday mornings from 11-12. Six sessions will be run between April 19th and May 24th. Each session will cost just €3. This group is for women who want to be active and to participate in a variety of fun and fitness activities. Classes may include yoga, fun games, circuits, gym work, aerobics….indeed, anything that gets group members physically active. Go on, be a role model for your daughters and enjoy yourself into the bargain!
Anyone interested in joining the group should make contact with Niamh Collins at 087-9029584 or e-mail her at niamhcollins@eircom.net.
(v) BIRTHDAYS: The academy would like to wish a happy birthday to Róisín O’Regan who will be ten on Friday 3rd April and to Emily Heaslip who will be six on Sunday 5th April. Go raibh breithlá sona sásta ag Emily agus ag Róisín.
IDIRLÍON: You’re here…welcome to www.austinstacks.ie.
MEMBERSHIP: Have you signed up as an OFFICIAL member of the club?
125 BLIAIN: May 10th has been chosen as Lá na gClubanna. How about a handball tournament between the Tralee town clubs? Perhaps all boys and girls could attend school dressed in their club colours on 10th May….wouldn’t the múinteoir be delighted to see a sea of black’n’amber “uniforms”sa rang??
FAOI 14 A: (i) Under 14 training (unless we’ve a league game) will take place on Wednesdays and on Fridays and on Sundays at 5pm (‘til 6.30pm). [A boys and B boys will train separately].
(ii) County league fixtures for the A team: Round 1 (divison 1) ~ Na Stacaigh 6-09; Na hÓ Céirín~Ó Rathailligh 7-05. In the first outing of this year’s County Under 14 Football League, played at Caherslee on Wednesday 25th March, our boys took on local rivals, Kerins~O’Rahillys. ‘Twas a Black’n’Amber v Blues encounter that was eagerly looked forward to. The Rockmen started very strongly and, with Greg Horan and Tomas Ziga running the show at centre-field and Kyle Fitzgibbon on top at full-forward, they led by 10 points after ten minutes. Tosach maith that wasn’t leath na hoibre! Strand Road fought back, however, and the lead was reduced to 5 points by half-time. An scór ag leatham: Austin Stacks 5-05, Kerins~O’Rahillys 4-03.
The second half was a real ding-dong affair as both defences showed good improvement. The Kerins~O’Rahillys were sharper in taking their goal chances and they drew level with just a few minutes remaining. Bhí a chroí ina bhéal ag gach éinne agus bhí teannas san aer! With time running out, The Rock exerted strong pressure on the Strand Road goal and a free was awarded when a Stacks’ attacker was pulled to the ground. Up stepped Greg Horan to convert the last chance of the match to give Stacks the win. Faoiseamh mór! Great credit is due to both teams for a highly entertaining and sporting contest.
Teams:–Na Stacaigh: Cillian Comerford, Adam Barrett, Barry Walsh, Tommy Nicholson, Shane Greensmith, Conor Jordan (Captain), Darragh O’Carroll, Greg Horan (2-06), Tomas Ziga (1-00), James O’Connor, Brian Horgan (0-01), James Galvin, Michael O’Donnell, Kyle Fitzgibbon (2-02) and Eoghan McKivergan (1-00). Subs: Joseph O’Kelly, Brendan Duffin, Breandán Caball, Kieran Flanagan and Graham Riordan.
Na hÓ Céirín~Ó Rathailligh: Robert O’Connor, Derek Horgan, Daniel Finnegan, Gavin Ryan, DJ Hanafin, Ryan Carroll, Rory Doyle, Gavin O’Brien, Kieran Brick, Shane Flavin, Cian Sayers, Cormac Sheehy, Jesse O’Sullivan, Jack Savage and Shane O’Sullivan. Subs: Jack Shortt, Stephen Murphy, Gearóid Hartnett, Brendan Crowley and Dylan Sheehy.
(iii) Round 2 ~ on Wednesday last, Lá na nAmadán, we headed for Ard Fhearta to take on the locals in the Under14 Football County League (Division 1).
An scór deiridh: Ardfert 3-14; Austin Stacks A 1-04.
In our second outing in Division 1 of this year’s League, our A side played Ardfert away. Short a few regulars and with key players carrying injuries into the match, our boys struggled from the start and found it very difficult to get into the game against a powerful and well-drilled Ardfert fifteen. The game was effectively over as a contest at half-time when the locals were ahead by 2-07 to 0-01. Ardfert’s domination continued in the second half and they ran out deserved winners on a score of Ardfert 3-14 to Austin Stacks A 1-04.
Team and scorers for Austin Stacks: Cillian Comerford, Graham Riordan, Barry Walsh, Tommy Nicholson, Shane Greensmith, James O’Connor, Adam Barrett, Greg Horan (1-02), Michael O’Donnell, Eoghan McKivergan, Brian Horgan, James Galvin, Conor Jordan (Captain), Kyle Fitzgibbon (0-02) and Breandán Caball. Subs: Darragh O’Carroll, Brendan Duffin and Graham O’Mahony.
(iv) Round 2 ~ on this Friday, 3rd April, our A boys travel to An Daingean; a/c next week.
FAOI 14 B: (i) Under 14 training (unless we’ve a league game) will take place on Wednesdays and on Fridays and on Sundays at 5pm (‘til 6.30pm). A boys and B boys will train separately.
(ii) Our first County League Fixtures for the U14 B team was played on Saturday last, 28th March, against Listowel Emmets B in Páirc Mhic an tSíthigh, Listowel. The day was sunny and a strong cold westerly breeze helped the locals to gain the advantage in the first half…and they availed of it with open arms! In the 2nd half our warriors made every effort to catch up but by final whistle time hadn’t succeeded! Cillian Comerford in goal saved us on very many occasions and Craig Corcoran caught many high balls around the parallelogram; Sam Nealon, Breandán Caball, Brian Hill, Claudio Demna, Michael Lynch, Richard Hurley, Cian Ó Cathasaigh and co. tried valiantly to halt the flow. Níorbh é ár lá é! It has been noted, however, that as the game progressed our lads improved in their tenacity and showed better combination play and, with practice and experience and playing as a unit, they will certainly perform at a much higher level! The future is bright!
(ii) On Wednesday last, Fools’ Day, our Bs played at home to Spa B. This was a most successful second outing…in the Lee Strand u-14 County Football League…against a valiant Spa team. Although Spa was first to score from a free, we soon settled and opened our account through the boot of Brian Hill who scored an excellent goal. This was followed by a point from Timmy Murphy and then a hat-trick of points from Kieran Flanagan before Brian Hill pounced for another goal. Despite this Spa had netted twice and also added another point to see the teams go in at half-time on a score line of 2-4 to 2-2 in our favour. We started the second half much brighter and it was Richard Hurley who scored a hat-trick of points before the outstanding Brian Hill scored another fantastic goal. Kieran Flanagan added another point before Brian Hill scored another two goals and a point bringing his tally to 5 goals and a point….imirt iontach ó Bhrian. Ach ní raibh deireadh leis an Spá and, for their part, they battled bravely until the end and scored twice to see a final score of 5-10 to 3-3 in favour of the black’n’amber brigade. This was a good team effort from Stacks with great performances from Kieran Flanagan, Enda Jordan, Seán Ryan, Gavin Breen and all the other players especially Brian Hill. However, it was also evident that a lot more work needs to be done to progress further in this competition. There is no point in having the will to win if you don’t have the will to prepare and as a result we look forward to better attendance at training each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings from 5pm to 6.30pm. The team: Craig Corcoran (Captain), Seán Hurley, Seán Ryan, Enda Jordan, Gavin Breen, Sam Nealon, Dylan Hartnett, Ciarán Flanagan, Brian Hill, Timmy Murphy, David O’Brien, Richard Hurley, Jack O’Donnell, Michael Lynch, Cian Casey, Ryan Keely, Dominic Horgan, Jason Carroll and Anthony Moynihan.
(iii) On Wednesday next, 8th April, we’ll have home advantage against Dr Crokes B…. game to which we eagerly look forward.
(iv) On Wednesday 15th April our busy Bs will travel to Cill Airne to challenge Legion Bs….another mouth-watering encounter…roll on, Crokes!
UNDER 16: (i) After a long wait we commence our Coiste Thrá Lí campaign with a home game (Connolly Park) this Thursday evening at 7pm against the John Mitchel Club. Go raibh an t-ádh le foireann Sheáin, Joe agus Tommy. A/c next week.
(ii) Our second game will be away to Ardfert.
(iii) Blitz (7 a-side): May bank holiday (Monday).
(iii) County league (roinn 1): round 1 ~ Wednesday 22nd June.
(iv) County championship: Wednesday 19th August.
SCÓR/RESULTS: The results in the County Final of SCÓR NA bPÁISTÍ which was held in the GAA Hall in Glenbeigh on Saturday last:
Rince Foirne: 1ú áit~Spá; 2ú háit~Oilean Ciarraí.
Amhránaíocht Aonair: 1ú áit~Baile Mhic Eileagóid; 2ú háit~An Ghaeltacht.
Ceol Uirlise: 1ú áit~Gníomh go Leith; 2ú~Baile Uí Dhonnchú.
Aithriseoireacht: 1ú áit~An Rinn Ard; 2ú áit~An Léigiún.
Bailéadghrúpa: 1ú áit~Lios Póil.
Tráth na gCeisteanna: 1ú áit~Gleann Fleisce; 2ú háit~Ard Fhearta.
Nuachleas: 1ú áit~ Cill Mhaoile; 2ú háit~Baile Mhic Eileagóid.
Rince Seit: 1ú áit~ An Spá; 2ú háit~Baile Uí Dhonnchú.
ALL-IRELAND IN KILLARNEY: Good luck to the Glenflesk musicians and dancers (set and figure dancers) who have qualified for the All-Ireland (Scór na Sinsear) which will be held in the “Gleneagle” on Saturday 18th April. The show’ll begin at 3pm. A great evenings entertainment! Booking advisable, if interested….with Anita at o87 68 22223.
LIATHRÓID LÁIMHE: Congrats to Breandán Caball and his B/mac handball partner, Eoin Keane, who won their game against Clare in the Munster handball team-of-six semi-final on a score of 15-10, 15-6. Unfortunately, Kerry’s overall score wasn’t enough to overcome the Bannermen!
TRÁTH NA gCEISTEANNA: Can you finish the following sayings:
“All to one side like the town of _________.” [answer above: Mainistir Fhearmaí].
“Beef to the heel like a _______ ________ .” [a heifer in a Westmeath town??].
“Abbeyfeale for flour and meal; ___________ for horses.” [a small Co. Cork town between Ráth Loirc/Charleville and Mallow].