Austin Stacks 0-13
Kerins OโRahillys 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.
Captain Dylan Casey claimed the Bishop Moynihan Cup after Austin Stacks controlled much of the second half against their town rivals Kerins OโRahillys, 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 OโConnor was outstanding. Up front Darragh OโBrien struck 0-6, substitute Sean Quilter contributed an important brace of points and Kieran Donaghy was typically influential.
If Kerins OโRahillyโs wanted a smooth start to settle into the major occasion that is county final day, those hopes were quickly scuppered.
They lost Gavin OโBrien 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 OโRahillyโs 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.
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 Griffinโs delivery was swiftly transferred by Shane OโCallaghan to Darragh OโBrien. 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 didnโt score before the break as Stacks pushed further ahead, OโBrien bringing his total to 0-4 for the opening half from dead balls and Brendan OโSullivan lofting over a fine shot off his left.
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 OโBrien free. Then Stacks made a telling burst with three scores on the bounce courtesy of Quilter (2) and OโConnor.
Staring at the scoreboard which read 0-12 to 0-6 with seven minutes left was an onerous task for Kerins OโRahillyโs. 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 OโConnor winning a free that OโBrien converted before Savage slung over another sublime point. That left Rahillys chasing a goal but Stacks packed their defence and protected Guthrieโs goalmouth to win a first Kerry senior crown since 2014.
Scorers for Austin Stacks: Darragh OโBrien 0-6 (0-5f), Seรกn Quilter 0-2 (0-1 mark, 0-1f), Joseph OโConnor, Michael OโGara, Fiachna Mangan, Brendan OโSullivan, Kieran Donaghy (0-1 mark) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kerins OโRahillys: 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 OโShea, 5. Paul OโSullivan
8. Joseph OโConnor, 9. Greg Horan
10. Michael OโGara, 11. Fiachna Mangan, 12. Brendan OโSullivan
15. Darragh OโBrien, 14. Kieran Donaghy, 13. Shane OโCallaghan
Subs
19. Seรกn Quilter for OโCallaghan (42)
23. Jack Morgan for Griffin (inj) (46)
18. Michael OโDonnell for OโGara (48)
20. Adam Curran for Brendan OโSullivan (53)
21. Armin Heinrich for OโBrien (64)
Kerins OโRahillys
1. Shane Foley
3. Ross OโCallaghan, 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 OโSullivan 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)
Tony Kelly was the difference today to be fair to him he was class
well done Clare ..hon the banner
Thatโs Phony Kelly done for the summer
@Gary: you said that last week โ good one !
@Darren Mullins: I didnโt Iโll have you know
Must have been someone elseb
@Bryan: Incorrect heโs a flake and doesnโt turn up when it matters most
Iโd take Duggan over him every day of the week
@Gary: good man Gary ya legend.
In fairness Tony Kelly has gone missing in some big games with county and club over the last few years. In full flight heโs 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.
@Gary: Heโs a superstar in January, February and March every year.
@Gary: gowl of a young lad. What did you score today
@John kane: Imagine calling someone a gowl and then assuming Iโm the young lad
@Gary: imagine thereโs no gowlsโฆ.itโs easy if you try..
@Gary: Eat your words ya cl0wn!
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.