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Gavin O’Connor reports on the Castleisland Mart Senior Club Championship semi-final last night in Annascaul, where there was a controversial end to the match…
Austin Stacks 1-9
Dingle 0-11
David Mannix on the attack as Tomas Leo O Suilleabhain prepares to give chase during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
A CONTROVERSIAL Shane O’Callaghan goal, with the last move of the match, put Austin Stacks into the Castleisland Mart Senior Club Championship Final against Dr Crokes last night.
In the dying moments, O’Callaghan’s effort looked as though it was cleared off the line by Dingle’s Paul Devine but the umpires sensationally adjudged it had crossed over and raised the green flag to the delight of the travelling Rockies.
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Greg Horan being stretchered off during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
At that point, Stacks had been reduced to 13 men after both David Mannix and substitute Alan Nestor received their marching orders.
The goal came through a familiar route. Kieran Donaghy, who came on as a late substitute, caught a ball driven in by Wayne Guthrie, outside the square .
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Conor O Suilleabhain is challenged by Michael O’Donnell during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Donaghy, who was surrounded by half the Dingle defence, hand-passed the ball to the unmarked O’Callaghan who was steaming into the square.
‘Callie’ palmed the ball down behind the line and into Paul Devine’s hands who legged it out as soon as he could with it but unfortunately for him and Dingle, he was hauled back by the referee Padraig O’Sullivan and the goal was given.
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Shane O’Callaghan sees his effort go wide during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
It was a controversial end to a match where Austin Stacks had the better of the first half and went in a point in front 0-6 to 0-5.
During that period, playing with the wind, they kicked eight wides.
The opening quarter was all Austin Stacks as they raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead. Fiachna Mangan, David Mannix, Brian Mangan and Wayne Guthrie the scorers.
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Barra O Suilleabhain lays off a pass during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
The game had barely started before it was stopped for an extended period of time due to an injury to Greg Horan.
The Kerry U21 was stretchered off the pitch and looked to be in a great deal of distress. Horan will undergo a scan on his knee during the week.
The game was 20 minutes old before Dingle got their first score – coming from Mikey Geaney – and it was followed by two more by Conor Geaney and Matthew Flaherty.
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David Mannix is challenged by Tomas Leo O Suilleabhain during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Despite The Rock’s dominance, Dingle were just a point behind. The half ended with scores by Shane Carroll and Shane O’Callaghan of Austin Stacks and a pointed free by Mikey Geaney.
It was a different Dingle we saw in the second half, where Mikey Geaney and young Kerry prospect Marc O’Connor saw more of the ball.
However, it was wing back Breandán Kelliher who made the greatest impact scoring 0-4 from play out on the left wing, where Austin Stacks couldn’t seem to plug that hole.
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Shane Carroll has his effort cleared off the line during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
It was these scores that helped Dingle edge in front by two points going into the final ten minutes. Frustration got the better of Alan Nestor who dangerously pulled down the flying Matthew Flaherty as he dashed up the park. The Meath man was rightly sent to the line.
All hope seemed to be fading when Stacks lost one of their main scoring outlets, David Mannix, after a second bookable offence, as we edged into stoppage time.
Kieran Donaghy was now loitering with intent around the goalmouth. In the 15 minutes he was on he caught the two high balls that were sent into him and thankfully for the Rock, the second one counted.
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Tomas Mac A tSithigh has his shot saved during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Donaghy was able to find O’Callaghan to send the Austin Stacks team, management and fans into raptures and Dingle into convulsions.
Many more photos below…
Scorers
Austin Stacks: Shane O’Callaghan (1-1), David Mannix (0-2, 1f), Pa McCarthy, Jack O’Shea, Wayne Guthrie, Brian Mangan, Fiachna Mangan and Shane Carroll (0-1) apiece
Dingle: Breandán Kelliher (0-4), Mikey Geaney (0-3, 2f), Matthew Flaherty (0-2), Conor Geaney (0-2, 1f)
Austin Stacks
1. Darragh O’Brien
2. Colin Griffin
3. Fearghal McNamara
4. Denis McElligott
5. Pa McCarthy
6. Conor Jordan
7. Jack O’Shea
8. Wayne Guthrie
29. Brian Mangan
10. Fiachna Mangan
11. Shane Carroll
12. Michael O’Donnell
13. David Mannix
14. Shane O’Callaghan
15. Greg Horan
Dingle
1. Gavin H O Corrain
2. Tomas Leo O’Suilleabhain
3. Padraig O Conchuir
4. Conor O Suilleabhain
5. Maitiu O Flaitheartaigh
6. Tomas O Suilleabhain
7. Brendan O Ceilleachair
8. Barra O Suilleabhain
9. Dara O Suilleabhain
10. Pol O Dubhain
11. Micheal O Geibheannaigh
12. Conor O Geibheannaigh
13. Tomas Mac a tSithigh
24. Marc O Conchuir
14. Cathay O Bambaire
Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan (Firies)
Jack O’Shea advances with Pol O Dubhain during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
David Mannix launches a shot during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Pa McCarthy in possession during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
High flying action during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Midfield action during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
David Mannix launches a shot at the posts during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Pa McCarthy goes down under a challenge from Pol O Dubhain during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Shane O’Callaghan goes past Padraig O Conchuir during the Austin Stacks v Dingle match in Annascaul on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
