GAA

PHOTOS: Telling The Big GAA Stories Of The Year Through Pictures

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WE’VE been taking photos at the big GAA games since TraleeToday.ie went live in April. Here we look back at some of the images we took, which tell the big stories of the year…

Continued below…

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• It’s amazing to think now that back in May, while Austin Stacks were taking on Milltown/Castlemaine in a first round club championship replay, this was the state of play for Kieran Donaghy.

In two short months the star went from roaring encouragement from the sidelines with his shoulder heavily strapped to reviving his glory days and Kerry’s season.

The injured Kieran Donaghy shouting encouragement to the players from the sideline on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
The injured Kieran Donaghy shouting encouragement to the players from the sideline. Photo by Dermot Crean

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• You have to all the way back to May 12th to find the last time Austin Stacks lost a match. They found it tough away to Dingle in the club championship without the services of Kieran Donaghy and Daniel Bohan.

At this point in the year, what would follow for the Rock looked very unlikely.

Matthew O'Flaherty in possession against Austin Stacks is one of the four Kerry minors playing with Dingle. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Action  from the Dingle V Austin Stacks game in May. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.

• If ever a photo could some up Kerins O’Rahilly’s season it’s the one below. The blues found it tough in 2014 after losing 13 players from the start of the season.

As a result O’Rahilly’s were left fighting for their senior status having lost both championship matches they played in against South Kerry and Feale Rangers.

What might have been...Kevin Walsh despairs after driving a shot on goal wide of the post from close range in the first half of the Kerins O'Rahilly's V Feale Rangers game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean. Photo by Dermot Crean
What might have been…Kevin Walsh despairs after driving a shot on goal wide of the post from close range in the first half of the Kerins O’Rahilly’s v Feale Rangers game. Photo by Dermot Crean

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• The joy unparalleled…Ogie Moran and Kieran Donaghy rejoice in Limerick after an epic battle against Mayo.

Legends...Ogie Moran and Kieran Donaghy celebrate after Kerry beat Mayo in Limerick on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Legends…Ogie Moran and Kieran Donaghy celebrate after Kerry beat Mayo in Limerick  in August. Photo by Dermot Crean.

• While decked out in Strand Road blue in Limerick, David Moran announced himself as one of the finest midfielders in the country.

Through his own trials and tribulations over the last few years, sustaining two cruciate injuries, he had beaten the odds while Kerry beat the bookies and were in another All-Ireland final.

With his teammate and father alongside him, this photo sums up his delight.

Well done son...Ogie Moran congratulates his son David after Kerry overcame Mayo in a dramatic All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
Well done son…Ogie Moran congratulates his son David after Kerry overcame Mayo in a dramatic All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo on Saturday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

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• Barry John Keane made it matter when called upon during the championship campaign, none more than with his introduction against Mayo in the replay where he won two extremely important frees that helped  Kerry to victory.

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Barry John Keane in action against Mayo in the replayed All-Ireland semi-final back in August. Photo by Dermot Crean

• Paul Geaney shoots and scores in the early stages of the first half of the All-Ireland final to help Kerry on their way to number 37. The goal was one of the few glimpses of quality in a tactical dog fight against Donegal.

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…he scores. Paul Geaney’s face tells what the goal means to him. Photos by Dermot Crean

• After securing another All-Ireland title there was nothing left todo but celebrate. The town saw one of its greatest homecomings ever. It was truly a night to savour.

Fans gather at the top of Paddy Mac's Pub in The Mall. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Fans gather at the top of Paddy Mac’s Pub in The Mall during the homecoming. Photo by Dermot Crean.

• Three townies and one ‘blow-in’. David Moran, Barry John Keane, Kieran Donaghy and Marc Ó Sé take in the crowd on Denny Street.

Three townies and one blow-in. David Moran, Barry John Keane and Marc O'Se take in the crowd on Denny St. Marc O'Se who now lives in Tralee later remarked that this year's homecoming was one of the best moments in his career. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Photo by Dermot Crean.

• It wasn’t long before Donaghy was out of Kerry green and gold and into Stacks black and amber. Here he is causing havoc in the Dingle defence in the county championship semi-final.

Pandemonium in the square as Dingle struggle to deal with Donaghy in the semi-final. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Pandemonium in the square as Dingle struggle to deal with Donaghy in the semi-final. Photo by Dermot Crean.

• Mid Kerry were the Rock’s opponents in the county final played in a terrific atmosphere in Tralee. Both sides would have to go again the following week the game finishing in a draw. Austin Stacks 1-13 Mid Kerry 2-10. The photo below was taken just after Kieran Donaghy scored a goal in the drawn match.

Shane Carroll and Stephen Stack, celebrate, Kieran Donaghy's, goal with fans last Sunday. Photo by Oscar Brophy.
Shane Carroll and Stephen Stack celebrate Kieran Donaghy’s goal with fans. Photo by Oscar Brophy.

• Stacks didn’t hang about in the replay in Killarney. They blitzed Mid-Kerry in the first 15 minutes making the rest of the game a bit of a procession.

There was plenty of time for the Rock fans to soak it all in and enjoy bringing the Bishop Moynihan Cup back to Connolly Park for the first time in 20 years.

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Barry Shanahan and friends celebrate after the county final win in Killarney. Photo by Dermot Crean

• So into the Munster campaign the Stacks went, having to deal with a sturdy test against Cork champs Ballincollig. A

After sustaining a bit of a rattle in the first ten minutes and having to playt extra-time, The Rock eventually prevailed. The continued development of youth is one of the reasons Stacks achieved so much this year, chief among them, Shane O’Callaghan and Greg Horan.

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Shane O’Callaghan testing the Ballincollig defence. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Austin Stack's, Greg Horan, is one for the future. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Austin Stacks Greg Horan is one for the future. Photo by Dermot Crean.

• In the Munster Final, 14 man Stacks beat Waterford champions, The Nire, in a tough physical battle, where in truth the Rock had a bit more class to see it out.

Barry Shanahan climbed the steps for the final game in Pairc Ui Chaoimh to lift the Munster cup.

Will the elder of the Shanahan brothers have more steps to climb in 2015?

Captain Barry Shanahan celebrates with the Rockie fans. Photo by Dermot Crean
Captain Barry Shanahan celebrates with the Rockie fans after the Munster final. Photo by Dermot Crean