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Gavin O’Connor looks forward to the Austin Stacks v Kenmare District Senior Football County Championship quarter-final, Fitzgerald Stadium, Sunday 3:30pm…
David Mannix goes past Gavin White of Dr Crokes in the senior club final earlier this month. Photo by Dermot Crean
AFTER securing a club championship crown already this year, Austin Stacks will begin a quest for an extraordinary double on Sunday.
And they are well capable of doing it.
Stephen Stack boasts a settled unit who have climbed this mountain before. There are experienced heads aplenty, but the side is also refreshed by young bloods Jack Morgan, Jack O’Shea and Michael O’Donnell who are beginning to push themselves into the spotlight.
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In Fitzgerald Stadium they will come up against a district side with no shortage of attacking flair and rising stars. The team are led in attack by Stephen O’Brien and Killian Spillane and can summon minor sensation Sean O’Shea to transfer to Killarney what he’s been doing in Croke Park.
The Rock took a big scalp in defeating Dr Crokes in the club final three weeks ago, but the Killarney side were down to 14 men for 45 minutes and noticeably tired towards the finish.
Kenmare District were the surprise package of last year’s championship. They came within a kick of the ball of defeating South Kerry and making it to the final.
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The biggest issue for them – and it’s one that is a constant headache for district teams – is the lack of time they have spent together in the lead-up. It’s a cliche but it often rings true; district teams need a game to find their rhythm.
Though Kenmare are a decent unit, they don’t possess the abundance of talent which would negotiate that shortfall.
Austin Stacks on the other hand have the benefit of playing a full-blooded match recently and will no doubt steam into the game with the confidence that comes with picking up a trophy.
Verdict – Austin Stacks by 3
