1986 Remembered

In the opening round game played in Austin Stack Park on the longest day of the year Stacks very nearly went out of the competition (there were no ‘losers’ rounds in those days) to a South Kerry side that included an up and coming young footballer, named Maurice Fitzgerald who was still two years away from making his Kerry SF Championship debut. That game ended in a draw – 0-10 each.

 

There was still very little between the sides in the replay which took place three weeks later in Cahersiveen, with the Rock advancing to the quarter final on a score of 0-10 to 0-7.

 

That quarter final against neighbours Kerins O’Rahillys was another tight, low-scoring affair with three points separating the sides at the final whistle. This was the toughest encounter of the whole campaign and but for some excellent goalkeeping by Michael Hussey (who was in only his second season between the posts) the result could have gone the other way.

 

A much fancied Mid Kerry side did not live up to its billing in the semi final and the Rock ran out comfortable winners by 2-17 to 2-7, with Kerry veterans, Mikey Sheehy (1-7) and Ger Power (1-3) contributing 2-10 of that total.

 

The final that year was against a Killarney side (a combination from the Spa and Legion Clubs) who had defeated neighbours, Dr. Crokes in the semi final following a replay.

 

Not for the first time Mikey Sheehy was instrumental in achieving victory for the Rock with a ‘Man of the Match’ display. Early on wing forward John L. McElligott excelled and at half time the Tralee side lead by 0-9 to 0-3.

 

Our only goal of the game came about ten minutes from the end. The aforementioned Sheehy won possession our near the sideline, sent a perfect pass to midfielder Liam Kearns (currently staring in RTE’s ‘Celebrity Bainisteoir’) and was in position to take the return pass and send a cracking shot to the net.

 

It looked all over at that stage but the Killarney boys staged a late rally which culminated in a goal by substitute Sean Kelliher and the Rock were made to sweat a bit before referee Dan O’Sullivan blew the final whistle to leave them winners by four points (1-11 to 1-7).

 

Stacks were, at that stage, joining neighbours John Mitchels on top of the Roll of Honours with 10 SF Co. Championship titles and four of their stars were collecting their 5^th Senior Co. Championship medal on that October day in 1986 – Mikey Sheehy, Ger Power, John and Ger O’Keeffe.

 

Team: Michael Hussey, Eamon Marey, John O’Keeffe, Pat Slattery, Kevin Barry, Michael Counihan (Capt), John Galvin, Liam Kearns, Ger O’Keeffe, John Walsh (0-1), Brian O’Sullivan, John L. McElligott (0-3), Owen Moynihan (0-1), Mikey Sheehy (1-4), Ger Power (0-2).

Sub used: Seamus O’Sullivan for Galvin.