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Mike O’Halloran reports on Austin Stacks win in the South Kerry Junior Hurling Championship…
Austin Stacks 0-13
Duagh 0-12
The winning Austin Stacks team with coaches. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Austin Stacks are the 2018 South Kerry Junior Hurling Champions, they had a one point win over Duagh in the manicured sod of Abbeydorney GAA grounds.
In a game which had everything skill, excitement, emotion, missed penalties and if I could spell schemozzle I’d say there were a few of them too.
Austin Stacks led by four points at halftime eight points to four, Eoin Kelly had Duagh in front after 26 seconds by the ninth minute Paul Daly had Stacks in front with three pointed frees, Cillian O’Riordan split the post on ten minutes before Paul Daly converted another free.
Duagh had three points in a row, two from Eoin Kelly and one from Darragh O’Connor. Ronan Gilsenan pointed on 21 minutes, Paul Daly had two pointed frees in a row the second free won by Ronan Gilsenan.
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Paul Daly had the first score of the second half, Duagh fired over three points in a row two from Eoin Kelly, Paul Daly followed with two points one of them after great work from Andrew Foley and Eoghan McKivergan.
Ronan Gilsenan added a point for Stack’s before points from Eoin Kelly and Darragh O’Connor reduced the margin to three points.
Duagh panel. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Then on the 21st minute, Duagh got a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty but they failed to convert it. A minute later Duagh were only two behind when Eoin Kelly point a placed ball.
Kieran Lucey reduced the margin to one, Duagh were presented with another penalty which they again spurned while Paul Daly popped over a point for Stacks, the final score of the game came in the 38th minute from Duagh.
The emotion in the Stacks camp was palpable as they are trying with all their hearts to keep adult hurling alive in their club and town with little or no help and in some cases obstacles being put in their way.
Peter O’Reagan who is really the spiritual leader of this group of special hurlers said with tears in his eyes “this win is special”.
Clubs like Stacks, Duagh and St Pats must not be allowed fail by the powers vested with promoting hurling.
Tadhg Meehan accepts the cup. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Duagh Team: Nigel Doorley, Conor O’Brien, John R Kirby, Pat Walsh, Paudie McNamara, Tim Quirke, Neilo Keane, Michael Kirby, Darragh O’Connor, Shane O’Sullivan, Kieran Lucey, Niall O’Sullivan, Ger Guiren, Eoin Kelly, Kevin Kelliher.
Austin Stacks Team: Danny Maguire, David Walsh, Peter regan, Kevin O’Leary, Ciaran Breen, Eoghan McKivergan, Rory Forbes, Ciaran McCaughley, Andrew Morrissey, Andrew foley (Wayne Guthrie) Paul Daly, Cillian O’Riordan,Tadgh Meehan (Cpt),Ronan Gilsenan, Daniel Teahan.
