October 2, 2016 at 7:46 pm

PHOTOS/REPORT: Austin Stacks Exit Championship At The Hands Of Kenmare District

Gavin O’Connor watched on as the second Tralee side in as many days were dumped out of the championship at Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday…

Kenmare District 0-15

Austin Stacks 0-12

Wayne Guthrie tries to stop Peter O’Shea advancing. Photo by Dermot Crean

KENMARE DISTRICT seized the initiative in the final quarter to secure a three point win and knock Austin Stacks out of the Garveys Supervalu Kerry Senior Football County Championship.

Former Kerry senior, Paul O’Connor, kicked four frees in the final ten minutes plus injury time. Stacks desperately tried to get a goal through route one balls to Donaghy around the square, but Kenmare District, in particular Tadhg Morley, had an answer every time The Rock rolled the dice.

Despite losing, Austin Stacks could still represent Kerry in the Munster Club Championship should Kenmare District go all the way by virtue of their Senior Club Championship win this year.

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Both teams had dominant spells and indeed drew level on three occasions in the second half.

With the aid of the wind, Kenmare District had the better of the opening quarter outscoring Stacks by 0-7 to 0-2. The game was looking like it was getting away from the Tralee side, but they roared back by kicking four points on the trot between the 20th and 23rd minute.

Stephen O’Brien tries to get past Ronan Shanahan. Photo by Dermot Crean

Youngster, Jack O’Shea was causing havoc in the District the defence from wing back as he helped himself to two points in that three minute burst along with creating an easy tap over free for David Mannix to convert.

Killan Spillane and Kevin O’Sullivan pegged scores back for District and the half ended with a long range point from Donaghy who was coming into his own around the middle.

Trailing by 0-7 to 0-9 at the break, Austin Stacks flew out of the traps by getting three unanswered points inside the opening five minutes. A Wayne Guthrie 45 and points from play by Fiachna Mangan and Daniel Bohane edged The Rock out in front 0-10 to 0-9.

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Daniel Bohan is watched closely by Kevin O’Sullivan. Photo by Dermot Crean

The sides exchanged the lead on three occasions before Kenmare took control of the game heading into the final quarter. Austin Stacks were losing the battle around midfield and opted to keep Donaghy in close to goal where he was effectively out of the game for longer spells than they could afford.

With five minutes left on the clock and Stacks trailing by two, a great opportunity did come. Shane O’Callaghan on the left hand side of the goal looked to find Donaghy with a pass across the square, but somehow the ball went through a hail of bodies, including Donaghy, with the goal at his mercy. An opportunity lost.

Peter O’Shea catches the ball with Wayne Guthrie about to challenge. Photo by Dermot Crean

Kenmare were well on top and looked the classier outfit during the final exchanges. The Austin Stacks defence, coming under pressure, coughed up four kickable frees which Paul O’Connor converted and that was enough for them to advance to play Rathmore in the semi-final.

So a cruel weekend for Tralee teams in the county championship, with both Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys crashing out. It’s up to Na Gaeil now to fly the flag for the town when they play Glenbeigh/Glencar in the Junior Championship final.

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Scorers

Kenmare District: Paul O’Connor 0-8 (6f), Kevin O’Sullivan 0-2, Dara Crowley 0-1, Peter O’Shea 0-1, Sean O’Shea 0-1, Stephen O’Brien 0-1, Killain Spillane 0-1

Austin Stacks: David Mannix 0-4 (3f), Jack O’Shea 0-2, Fiachna Mangan 0-2, Shane O’Callaghan 0-1, Kieran Donaghy 0-1, Wayne Guthrie 0-1 (45), Daniel Bohane 0-1

Kenmare District

Kieran Fitzgibbon (Kenmare)

Dara Crowley (Kenmare)
Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)
Kieran O’Neill (Templenoe)

Patrick Cilfford (Templenoe)
Dara O’Shea (Kenmare)
Gavin Crowley (Templenoe)

Adrian Spillane (Templenoe)
Peter O’Shea (Tuosist)

Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)
Kevin O’Sullivan (Kenmare)
Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)

Teddy Doyle (Templenoe)
Paul O’Connor (Kenmare)
Killian Spillane (Templenoe)

Substitutes

John Spillane (Templenoe) for Patrick Clifforrd (16min)
Brian Crowley (Templenoe) for Kevin O’Sullivan (46min)

Austin Stack

Darragh O’Brien

Ronan Shanahan
Conor Jordan
Fearghal MacNamara