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AUSTIN STACKS return to senior county championship football once again this weekend after a long gap when they face West Kerry in Killarney, this Sunday at 3.30pm.

The Stacks will play in the second game of a double header which also features a derby game between Mid Kerry and Laune Rangers. When the ball throws in on Sunday it will have been 12 weeks since they beat Rathmore in the previous round.

“We’re into the business end of the season now, it’s a quarter final, but we’ll be treating it like a county final because if we’re beaten we’re out,” said Rockies boss, Stephen Stack.

There has been a bit of coming and going in the intervening months; Daniel Bohane and John Dennis have successfully recovered from injury, while Ronan Shanahan and Denis McElligott are welcomed back to the fold after sojourns in America for the summer.

Kieran Donaghy is also in among the panel after his inter-county heroics with Kerry.

“We’re really glad to have Kieran back and it’s a plus that we have Daniel Bohane back available for selection for us, so hopefully he’ll be able to make a good contribution against West Kerry,” said Stack.

This year’s county championship is now one of the most anticipated in years after raging hot favorites Dr Crokes were knocked out to Legion in the previous round.

“I think any of the teams left in the championship are going to feel this is a great chance to win it with Crokes being out,” said Stack.

“Whatever the approach was before Crokes went out, all other teams were going to up-the-ante significantly after that, because it was now wide open. Every team will rightly feel they have a real good shot at going far in the competition,” said Stack.

“I’ve been saying it to our fellas that in some way, ironically, because Crokes are gone it’s going to make it more difficult because everyone else is going to up their game considerably,” said Stack.

Their opponents on Sunday, West Kerry, are battle hardened in the county championship after overcoming two replays against Miltown/Castlemaine and Kilcummin.

“West Kerry have had some very good results, they’ve been involved in some very tight games which is good for a divisional side because the more games they have the better they are,” said Stack.

“If you had a preference to play a divisional team it would be in the early rounds, but as the year goes on, divisional sides tend to get stronger. We’re well aware of the size of the challenge put in front of us next Sunday,” said Stack.

The Rockies have been in terrific form in the league and are unbeaten after nine wins and one draw. This has set up a final date with Dr Crokes, where a home draw is expected.

“It’s a good that we know we’re now in the county league final, but the championship is where it’s at really,” said Stack.