Gavin O’Connor takes a look at Austin Stacks’ road to the county final this year…
ONE of the hallmarks of Austin Stacks charge for county glory this year has been their marked and continued improvement throughout the campaign.
Stephen Stack and his men must take a lot of credit for coming back after being well beaten by Crokes in the final last year.
Stacks have notched up a combined score of 2-58 along the way and have beaten opposition by an aggregate score of 25 points with their average winning margin being six points.
The Rock’s top scorers are, Shane Carroll 0-26, David Mannix 0-8 and Shane O’Callaghan 1-4.
Feale Rangers 0-9
Austin Stacks 0-14
County Championship Round 1, June 1, Listowel
In truth, this was a dour affair hampered by poor weather and a second half capitulation by Feale Rangers.
What we learned from this encounter was that Stacks had to improve if they were to have a realistic shot at this year’s championship.
One distinguishing factor of the year did pop up, namely the amount of close in frees Stacks win and Shane Carroll executes – six on the day.
Continued below…
Austin Stacks’ Fiachna Mangan in action against Feale Rangers Anthony Maher in the championship tie back in June. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Austin Stacks 0-17
Rathmore 2-5
County Championship Round 2, July 12, Austin Stack Park
A period of dominance at the beginning of the second half, where Stacks scored six points on the trot, was enough to separate the sides.
Coming into this, Rathmore were no pushovers either as they had just knocked Crokes out of the Club Championship.
The game was Kieran Donaghy’s first competitive appearance of 2014, Shane Carroll was top scorer again with seven pointed frees in a game where Shane O’Callaghan also impressed.
Austin Stacks Shane Carroll comes under the close scrutiny of Rathmore Aidan O’Mahony in the July game. Photo by Oscar Brophy.
West Kerry 0-14
Austin Stacks 0-7
County Championship Quarter Final, Fitzgerald Stadium.
Lashing rain greeted the players as they took the pitch in Killarney which put a dampener on the game before a ball was thrown in. West Kerry hadn’t played in three months and were looking every bit a disjointed divisional side.
Still, Austin Stacks were impressive, in the backs particularly. Greg Horan, Fearghal McNamara and Conor Jordan were mean in the harsh conditions, never giving the men from the west a sniff.
Shane O’Callaghan, takes on the West Kerry defence in the county championship quarter final in Killarney. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Austin Stacks 2-13
Dingle 1-9
County Championship Semi Final, October 12, Austin Stack Park
This was to be The Rock’s toughest test of the championship, with many pundits finding it too close to call.
Donaghy proved to be the decisive man, causing havoc to steer his side into the county final.
Dingle just couldn’t handle ‘Star’, something Mid Kerry must get the grips of if they are to stand a chance.
Once again the team as a whole showed they were improving, none more so than Wayne Guthrie, who again gave a fine account of himself in midfield along with elder statesman, William Kirby.
Pandemonium as Dingle struggle to deal with Donaghy in the semi-final. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
