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Austin Stacks 0-14
West Kerry 1-17
Alan Fitzgerald and Shane Guthrie contest a ball. Photo by Dermot Crean
LAST year West Kerry exited Austin Stack Park and the championship after a five point loss to the Rockies.
They more than reversed that result on Saturday as their well-organised outfit outplayed the Tralee side who played well below their potential end their season on a disappointing note.
The West Kerry starting line-up featured 12 players from An Ghaeltacht and that decision paid off in spades and they looked a cohesive unit.
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The late addition of Castlegregory’s Alan Fitzgerald was also a wise move as he had a fine game and was at the centre of launching many of their attacks.
They started well too, with three points without reply in the first six minutes. After Greg Horan got the Rockies first point, West Kerry put their stamp on the game with a fine finish by Éanna Ó Conchúir giving them a 1-3 to 0-1 lead on 11 minutes.
Éanna Ó Conchúir scores his first half goal. Photo by Dermot Crean
Séan Micheál Ó Conchúir got another point and then Stacks got two in reply to leave it 1-4 to 0-2 on 16 minutes.
Stacks were finding it difficult to bridge that gap and whenever they scored, West Kerry would reply keeping the Rockies at least four behind for the rest of the half which ended 1-10 to 0-9.
When David Mannix pointed a free four minutes into the second period it left a goal between the sides. Brian O Beaglaoich responded and when Kieran Donaghy hit a great point from distance to restore the three point gap, the Rockies fans must have hoped it would spur a revival.
Kieran Donaghy comes under pressure. Photo by Dermot Crean
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But that was as good as it got for the black and amber. Some poor decision-making at times, combined with more economical forward play from West Kerry put paid to their chances.
By the 46th minute they were 1-14 to 0-11 behind. Mannix and Wayne Guthrie brought it back to four with 11 minutes left, but Brian O Beaglaoich and Deaglán O Suilleabhain restored the six point lead by the 51st minute.
Stacks were never going to get back into it without goals and a blocked shot from David Mannix was as close as they got. Frees by David Mannix and Dara O Sé completed the scoring.
Éanna Ó Conchúir is tackled by Stacks players. Photo by Dermot Crean
A bitterly disappointing end to a damp squib of a season for Austin Stacks in their centenary year. SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS…
Scorers: West Kerry: Dara Ó Sé 0-6 (4 frees), Eánna Ó Conchúir 1-1, Sean Micheál Ó Conchúir 0-3 (1 free), Brian Ó Beaglaoich 0-2, Alan Fitzgerald, PJ Mac Láimh, Jason Hickson, Tomás Ó Sé, Declan Ó Suilleabháin 0-1 each.
Austin Stacks: David Mannix 0-8 (0-7 frees), Darragh O’Brien 0-3, Greg Horan, Kieran Donaghy and Wayne Guthrie 0-1 each.
Austin Stacks Team: David Hennessy, Ronan Shanahan, Fearghal MacNamara, Seán Ryan, Pa McCarthy, Jack O’Shea, Jack Morgan, Gerg Horan (0-1), Shane Guthrie, Michael O’Donnell, Shane O’Callaghan (Capt), Shane Carroll, David Mannix (0-8 – seven frees), Kieran Donaghy (0-1), Darragh O’Brien (0-3).
Subs used: Wayne Guthrie (ht) (0-1), Barry Walsh (ht), Fiachna Mangan (36m), Daniel Bohan (45m), Darragh Scanlon (60m), Alan Duggan (61m).
Shane Carroll on the attack. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Darragh O’Brien looks for options with Cian O Murchu close by. Photo by Dermot Crean
Greg Horan is challenged by Dara O Se. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Shane O’Callaghan is challenged by Jason Hickson. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jack O’Shea looks for a teammate. Photo by Dermot Crean
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