THERE will be no fairytale ending.

No Rockies marching down Jones’ Road, no black and amber in Drumcondra pubs, no Billy Sheehan rallying the troops with his trusty megaphone in the Hogan Stand this St Patrick’s Day.

Austin Stacks lost by one solitary point on a rainy Sunday in Portlaoise but, with the risk of sounding patronising, they gave it one hell of an effort.

While many Rockie die-hards may not agree (there was much angry talk about the referee as they left O’Moore Park) Slaughtneil, to their credit, just about deserved their victory.

The Austin Stacks players were devastated after the game, but stayed on in the rain to salute their loyal fans (see video below) whose support has been a large part of the story of Austin Stacks journey to glory in the past year.

It’s been an incredible year for the club and hopefully the players will reflect what they’ve achieved – rather than today’s defeat – in the days and weeks ahead.

The players and supporters have done the town proud.

Maybe they should march after all this St Patrick’s Day…as Grand Marshals in the Tralee Parade.

We’ll have match analysis and loads of photos of the black and amber army in Portlaoise tomorrow. Here’s the Stacks fans doing what they do best in Portlaoise…