Rockies celebrate club’s centenary

FOR the last year the Austin Stacks faithful have been celebrating the centenary of their beloved club.

Founded in 1917, the club was originally known simply as The Rock but it was renamed in honour of the famed Irish Republican in 1933.

In its hundred years the club has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the most famous clubs in Ireland and the home of some of Gaelic football’s greatest names.

The club’s proud history and incredible legacy has been celebrated at various events throughout the year and the anniversary festivities reached a peak on Saturday night as the club hosted a Centenary Gala at Tralee’s Rose Hotel.

Close to 300 Rockies – including many Stacks and Kerry legends – gathered at the hotel for the celebration.

The night began with a champagne reception followed by dinner. During the meal, guests were entertained by video interviews and photos of Austin Stacks from the past 100 years.

Medal presentations were made by Club Chairman, Liam Lynch, to club footballers who had won All-Ireland medals over the years, and in the case of those who had passed away and absentees, medals were presented to family representatives.

Further entertainment came from onstage interviews which saw MC Brian Hurley chatting with some of the medal recipients including Mikey Sheehy, Ger O’Keeffe, Pa Laide, Ger Power and Kieran Donaghy.

Past and present players who were presented with medals at the Austin Stacks Centenary Gala Ball

Tim Guiheen and Mairead Fernane (Vice-Chairperson Austin Stack Gaa Club) with Orlaith, Marie and David Griffin at Saturday’s Austin Stacks Centenary Gala Ball

Shane O’Callaghan, Rachel Lynch, Kayleigh Quirke and Darragh O’Byrne at Saturday night’s centenary celebration for Austin Stacks GAA CLub in Tralee.

Tim O’Rourke, Kerry Wellsbury and Brian Shanahan at the Austin Stacks Centenary Gala Ball on Saturday night.

Peter Breen, Marie Williams, Tjitske Breen and Martin Williams enjoying the Austin Stacks centery ball at Tralee’s Rose Hotel.

Mikey Sheehy, Tom Kennington and Ger O’Keeffe enjoying the Austin Stacks Centenary Ball at the Rose Hotel.

Gene and Fionnuala O’Donnell and Kieran and Michelle Kelliher at the Austin Stacks Centenary Ball at the Rose Hotel.

Eibhlín Henggeler and Peggy King at the Austin Stacks centenary ball on Saturday.

Michelle King and Breda O’Callaghan were among the guests at the Austin Stacks ball.