GAA, Sport

Tralee’s ‘Big Two’ Are Getting Ready For Championship Action

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Danny O'Sullivan (Kerins O'Rahillys) and Wayne Guthrie (Austin Stacks) will be looking to get there hands on the Bishop Moynihan Cup again later in the year. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Danny O’Sullivan (Kerins O’Rahillys) and Wayne Guthrie (Austin Stacks) will be looking to get there hands on the Bishop Moynihan Cup again later in the year. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

WITH the Round 1 of the Garveys Super Valu Senior Football Championship now just days away, Austin Stacks and Kerins O’Rahillys are putting in the finishing touches ahead of facing divisional opposition.

Traleetoday.ie had a short chat with two men who wear their heart on their sleeve when it comes to pulling on the black and amber and the blue and white.

Wayne Guthrie is a vital cog in the Rockie engine room. Despite a couple of setbacks for his side, the former Kerry minor is pleased with how things have been going.

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“The year has been good so far, we’ve only lost one game and that was against Dr Crokes,” said Wayne.

“We’re building stronger, but the injury to Greg Horan is after setting us back. But we’ll drive on anyway, training is going good,” added Wayne.

Kerry U21 Greg Horan, suffered an ACL tear that has sidelined him for the season. On the plus side, former Kerry senior trainer, Pat Flanagan, has come on board at Austin Stacks and by the sounds of it, he has been a wise appointment.

“It’s a good boost for the team, his (Pat Flanagan) training is phenomenal, if you take what he says on board you should be going well,” said Wayne.

Austin Stacks, Wayne Guthrie, fetches a ball over Johnny Buckley of Dr Crokes. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Austin Stacks, Wayne Guthrie, fetches a ball over Johnny Buckley of Dr Crokes earlier this year. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

On the blue side of town, they’re starting to build nicely, also having made sure of their 2017 senior championship status two weeks ago and Tommy Walsh dedicating himself full-time to the cause.

Danny O’Sullivan, is now a real leader for O’Rahilly’s. The full-back and his bursts up the park have become a real asset along with his tenacious marking abilities.

“We made sure of our senior status against Milltown/Castlemaine so that’s a boost,” said Danny..

Danny O'Sullivan in action for Kerins O'Rahilly's. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Danny O’Sullivan in action for Kerins O’Rahilly’s. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

O’Rahillys face champions South Kerry in the second match of a double bill on Sunday alongside St Brendans v Kenmare District.

“We’ve got South Kerry coming up, but it looks like Dr Crokes are the team to beat,” said the ex-Kerry minor star.

A difficult opening match but as is always the way, the time to meet a divisional side is in the opening match before their mix of club players have had time to gel.

Saturday: Austin Stacks v East Kerry – Lewis Road, Killarney –5pm

Sunday: Kerins O’Rahillys v South Kerry – Austin Stack Park – 3:30pm