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Kieran Donaghy. File Photo
THE reigning county champions, Austin Stacks, will not be involved in the Kerry senior county championship next year.
The Tralee titans were defeated by Kenmare Shamrocks in the Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Championship Relegation Play-off game at Fitzgerald Stadium this afternoon by 3-11 to 1-15.
In what was a classic first half with free-flowing football, Kenmare struck three goals in less five minutes between the 13th and 18th minutes from Stephen O’Brien, James McCarthy and David Hallissey which ultimately proved the difference as Stacks were to trail for the rest of the game.
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Austin Stacks fought back gamely with a goal from Greg Horan with Kieran Donaghy proving a nuisance for the Kenmare defence.
Stacks narrowed the gap to three points by the break, 1-8 to 3-5 and it looked like the second half would be more of the same fayre.
Stacks received a blow though with Donaghy having to go off injured and Kenmare seized the initiative, with Sean O’Shea inspiring the south Kerry club to stretch their lead to seven points (3-10 to 1-9) by the 51st minute.
Despite his imjury, the great warrior Donaghy came back on with less than 10 minutes to go to try to save the Stacks and they narrowed the gap to two points (3-10 to 1-14) by the fourth minute of injury time.
A Sean O’Shea free extended the Kenmare lead, but David Mannix replied immediately to restore the two point gap. After 10 minutes of injury time, the final whistle sounded and consigned Austin Stacks to intermediate status.
A very sad day for the legendary Tralee club.
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