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Austin Stacks celebrate Kerry senior glory after final test against rivals Kerins O'Rahillys

The Tralee derby took centre stage today in the Kingdom.

Austin Stacks 0-13

Kerins Oโ€™Rahillys 0-10

THE TRALEE BRAGGING rights were secured by Austin Stacks for 2021, the black and amber support base delirious at the final whistle in Tralee this afternoon as they lifted the Kerry senior football crown.

kieran-donaghy-consoles-jack-savage Kieran Donaghy consoles Jack Savage after the game. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Captain Dylan Casey claimed the Bishop Moynihan Cup after Austin Stacks controlled much of the second half against their town rivals Kerins Oโ€™Rahillys, who saw their challenge critically damaged by the early loss through injury of Kerry senior midfielder David Moran.

The Narries fought to the finish, cutting a six-point deficit at the second water break down to three by the final whistle, their resilience epitomised by stirring showings from Cormac Coffey and Jack Savage.

But the Austin Stacks rearguard impressed throughout, goalkeeper Wayne Guthrie was a model of consistency while midfielder Joseph Oโ€™Connor was outstanding. Up front Darragh Oโ€™Brien struck 0-6, substitute Sean Quilter contributed an important brace of points and Kieran Donaghy was typically influential.

If Kerins Oโ€™Rahillyโ€™s wanted a smooth start to settle into the major occasion that is county final day, those hopes were quickly scuppered.

They lost Gavin Oโ€™Brien to a hamstring injury in the warm-up and then more critically their midfield talisman Moran was left limping in the early minutes, manager William Harmon later confirming he had injured his groin. After trying to play on, Moran accepted defeat in the 6th minute and had to be replaced.

The loss of those towering figures around the middle hit Kerins Oโ€™Rahillyโ€™s hard. Tommy Walsh showed the leadership to emerge around the middle to claim primary possession while mixing that with some fetches closer to goal to set up points. They battled manfully with Savage from frees and Barry John Keane from play, hitting a brace of points apiece in the first half.

joseph-oconnor-and-greg-horan-with-david-moran-and-tommy-walsh Midfielders rise in the Kerry county final. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Austin Stacks had started brightly with three early points but the Strand Road side were level at 0-3 apiece by the water break. Stacks almost netted in the 20th minute, a lovely move after Colin Griffinโ€™s delivery was swiftly transferred by Shane Oโ€™Callaghan to Darragh Oโ€™Brien. He drilled in a low shot that goalkeeper Shane Foley did excellently to save.

Rahilly swept downfield from the rebound with Conor Hayes feeding Keane for a point to leave them 0-5 to 0-4 adrift. But they didnโ€™t score before the break as Stacks pushed further ahead, Oโ€™Brien bringing his total to 0-4 for the opening half from dead balls and Brendan Oโ€™Sullivan lofting over a fine shot off his left.

tommy-walsh-yellow-carded-by-referee-jonathan-griffin Tommy Walsh is booked in the first half. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

There was a fractious end to the half with Tommy Walsh and Kieran Donaghy both seeing yellow for separate incidents. The lively Conor Hayes and Savage pointed after the break, scores that sandwiched another Oโ€™Brien free. Then Stacks made a telling burst with three scores on the bounce courtesy of Quilter (2) and Oโ€™Connor.

Staring at the scoreboard which read 0-12 to 0-6 with seven minutes left was an onerous task for Kerins Oโ€™Rahillyโ€™s. But they made a good fist of retaining the interest of the 8,453 attendance.

Savage hit over two points and Coffey hit a magnificent score to leave three in it, 0-12 to 0-9, entering injury-time. Stacks relieved the pressure with Oโ€™Connor winning a free that Oโ€™Brien converted before Savage slung over another sublime point. That left Rahillys chasing a goal but Stacks packed their defence and protected Guthrieโ€™s goalmouth to win a first Kerry senior crown since 2014.

Scorers for Austin Stacks: Darragh Oโ€™Brien 0-6 (0-5f), Seรกn Quilter 0-2 (0-1 mark, 0-1f), Joseph Oโ€™Connor, Michael Oโ€™Gara, Fiachna Mangan, Brendan Oโ€™Sullivan, Kieran Donaghy (0-1 mark) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kerins Oโ€™Rahillys: Jack Savage 0-6 (0-4f), Barry John Keane 0-2, Cormac Coffey, Conor Hayes 0-1 each.

Austin Stacks

1. Wayne Guthrie

2. Colin Griffin, 17. Barry Shanahan, 3. Dylan Casey

6. Conor Jordan,  4. Jack Oโ€™Shea, 5. Paul Oโ€™Sullivan

8. Joseph Oโ€™Connor, 9. Greg Horan

10. Michael Oโ€™Gara, 11. Fiachna Mangan, 12. Brendan Oโ€™Sullivan

15. Darragh Oโ€™Brien, 14. Kieran Donaghy, 13. Shane Oโ€™Callaghan

Subs

19. Seรกn Quilter for Oโ€™Callaghan (42)

23. Jack Morgan for Griffin (inj) (46)

18. Michael Oโ€™Donnell for Oโ€™Gara (48)

20. Adam Curran for Brendan Oโ€™Sullivan (53)

21. Armin Heinrich for Oโ€™Brien (64)

Kerins Oโ€™Rahillys

1. Shane Foley

3. Ross Oโ€™Callaghan, 6. Shane Brosnan, 4. Cormac Coffey

5. Darragh McElligott, 21. Patrick Begley, 17. Cian Sayers

8. David Moran, 9. Tom Hoare

12. Gearoid Savage, 11. Jack Savage, 7. Con Barrett

13. Barry John Keane, 14. Tommy Walsh, 15. Conor Hayes

Subs

20. Diarmuid Oโ€™Sullivan for Moran (inj) (6)

19. Shane McElligott for Barrett (temporary) (7)

7. Barrett for McElligott (11)

19. McElligott for Gearoid Savage (53)

Referee: Jonathan Griffin (Glenbeigh-Glencar)

BTL 5

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    Mute Declan Breen
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:19 PM

    Tony Kelly was the difference today to be fair to him he was class

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    Mute Kieran Considine
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:42 PM

    well done Clare ..hon the banner

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 4:59 PM

    Thatโ€™s Phony Kelly done for the summer

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    Mute Darren Mullins
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:02 PM

    @Gary: you said that last week โ€“ good one !

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:03 PM

    @Darren Mullins: I didnโ€™t Iโ€™ll have you know
    Must have been someone elseb

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:13 PM

    @Bryan: Incorrect heโ€™s a flake and doesnโ€™t turn up when it matters most
    Iโ€™d take Duggan over him every day of the week

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    Mute Eoghan O'Leary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:21 PM

    @Gary: good man Gary ya legend.

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    Mute Johnny B
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 6:20 PM

    In fairness Tony Kelly has gone missing in some big games with county and club over the last few years. In full flight heโ€™s an absolute pleasure to watch. But consistency of performance has become a bit of an issue, especially on big days. And these bigger days tend to be when the opposition deem him worthy of legitimate and appropriate special attention. In other words,he can on occasion be marked out of it.

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    Mute Robb Stark
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 6:39 PM

    @Gary: Heโ€™s a superstar in January, February and March every year.

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    Mute John kane
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 6:39 PM

    @Gary: gowl of a young lad. What did you score today

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 8:05 PM

    @John kane: Imagine calling someone a gowl and then assuming Iโ€™m the young lad

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    Mute John kane
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Gary: imagine thereโ€™s no gowlsโ€ฆ.itโ€™s easy if you try..

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    Mute Bryan
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:43 PM

    @Gary: Eat your words ya cl0wn!

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    Mute Jack Hackett
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    Feb 3rd 2020, 10:59 AM

    Well done Clare. Not easy to get a good result in Wexford, even more difficult with 14 men.
    As for Tony Kelly; Are there many other players in the country, Gaelic Football or Hurling included, who have won young player and player of the year in the same year, All-Ireland, league and Munster club honours? I dont think so. So, to all the Trolls, go back under the bridge and wallow in your swamp life.

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