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Kerins O’Rahillys 2-14
Austin Stacks 1-06
KERINS O’Rahillys were too strong for Austin Stacks in Strand Road last night as these two age-old rivals met in the opening round of the Minor County Championship.
The Blues’ dominance sprung from midfield which they had a grip of for the entire match. They also worked tirelessly for possession and funneled back and broke forward when they had to.
The scene was a dull, humid and calm Strand Road with trickles of rain ever so often lending to a greasy surface. There was a bit of tension hanging in the air, one that only a derby match can bring. The teams traded scores in the opening minutes and it was Stacks who hit the first hammer blow of the match when they struck for a goal in the 10th minute.
Full Forward Ciaran Flanagan latching onto a wayward pass from the O’Rahilly’s defence and coolly slotting it home to put his side 1-2 to 3 points in front.
Continued below…
Action from the Minor County Championship match between Kerins O’Rahillys and Austin Stacks. Photo by Oakview Sport Pics.
Strand Road answered very well and got the next four scores without reply, the highlight being some excellent free taking by Ryan Carroll who punished the Stacks defence for their indiscipline.
In fact, Stacks would only score one more point in the half while O’Rahilly’s tagged on three more, one of them a very good solo point by Gearoid Savage. The 1st half ended 0-10 to 1-3.
Action from the Minor County Championship match between Kerins O’Rahillys and Austin Stacks. Photo by Oakview Sport Pics.
It was an O’Rahilly’s first half performance built on hard work from the likes Gavin O’Brien and Gary Nolan in particular which was the catalyst for victory. Half forward Ryan Carroll was their key-man – he linked up effectively from midfield to attack and was a bundle of creativity all game.
Stacks will bemoan a lot of missed chances that could have got them closer to their cross-town rivals who, in the second half, closed up shop and funnelled players back waiting to pounce.
Action from the Minor County Championship match between Kerins O’Rahillys and Austin Stacks. Photo by Oakview Sport Pics.
As Stacks pushed forward they left gaps in their defence and this was exploited for the most important moment of the match when, in the 40th minute, full forward Diarmuid O’Sullivan finished the ball soccer style to the net to put his side six points in front, 1-11 to 1-5.
This would prove too much for Stacks. O’Rahilly’s spent the rest of the match adding to that advantage helped chiefly by Daniel Nix, who scored 1-2 off the bench. The game ended with an 11 point victory for the men in blue. 2-14 to 1-06.
So a great win by Kerins O’Rahilly’s in this match up between Tralee’s big two. Martin Nix’s charges are well organised and will be handful for any side in the competition.
Kerins O’Rahilly’s: Jack Shortt, Derek Hogan, Darragh Ryan, Dylan Ronan, Donnagh Buckley, David Murphy, Cormac Coffey, Rory Doyle, Gavin O’Brien, Gary Nolan, Karl Mullins, Ryan Carroll, Gearoid Savage, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Padraig Griffin.
Scorers: Daniel Nix (1-2), Ryan Carroll (0-4), Diarmaid O’Sullivan (1-0), Gearoid Savage (o-2), Padraig Griffin (0-3), Karl Mullins (0-1), Gavin O’Brien (0-1), Cormac Coffey (0-1)
Substitutes: Ben O’Neill (Ryan Carroll), Daniel Nix (Darragh Ryan), Padraig Murphy (Padraig Griffin)
Austin Stacks: Claudio Dema, Niall Carroll Cane, Colin Griffin, Dylan Hartnett, Daragh Scanlon, Jack Morgan, Sean Hurley, Jack O’Shea, Timmy Murphy, Sean Ryan, Craig Corcoran, Sean Fitzmaurice, Ciaran Flanagan, Sean Dukes.
Scorers: Ciaran Flanagan (1-1), Jack O’Shea (0-1), Timmy Murphy (0-1), Sean Ryan (0-1), Sean Fitzmaurice (0-1), Sean Dukes (0-1).
Substitutes: Ferdia Griffin (Jack O’Shea), Anthony Moynihan (Colin Griffin).
