Under 21 County Championship Quarter Final
Austin Stacks 3-11 Shannon Rangers 0-5
The under 21 machine moved into top gear in Connolly Park on Wednesday evening as a near flawless display had the Shannonsiders threading water from the off. The game was a totally one sided affair with the Rock in total command particularly at the back. A side already with innumerable absentees was further depleted with the absence of David O’Sullivan, David Hannifin (both holidays) and Barry Walsh and Tom McLoughlin(injuries) from the previous round starting 15. In came Dylan Harnett, Shane Crowley, Joe O’Kelly and Breandán Caball to great effect.
We led from the off amassing a 1-6 to 0-1 lead with Ciaran O’Connell the dominant force around the middle aided by the ever improving Alan Duggan. The last line quartet of Barry Galvin, Paul Galvin, Alan Crean and Harnett were once more impenetrable and foundation for many attacks. The eight point lead at the break was fully deserved with Sean Ryan and Ciaran Flanagan providing the ammunition for the flying Danny Carroll with Eamonn McAllen once more finding the net from an acute angle.
Upon the restart the Rocky ascendency continued with a punched goal from Ciaran Flanagan ending the contest in the 40th minute. Captain Brendan O’Neil, Eoghan McKivergan and Joe O’Kelly repelled the Rangers attack continuously throughout and when McAllen finished superbly again in the 55th minute the tie was emphatically over.
Unexpectedly given the absence of five key personnel this team has surpassed all expectation in qualifying for the semi finals of this tournament. They now enter the semi final hat with Mid Kerry, Kenmare District and St Kieran’s. Team- Barry Galvin, Paul Galvin, Alan Crean, Dylan Harnett, Eoghan McKivergan, Brendan O’Neil(capt), Joseph O’Kelly (0-2), Ciaran O’Connell, Alan Duggan, Breandán Caball, Sean Ryan, Shane Crowley(0-1), Ciaran Flanagan(1-3), Danny Carroll (0-5, 4f), Eamonn McAllen (2-0).Subs- James Galvin(40mins), Patrick Fitzgibbon(45mins), Shane Greensmyth (50mins).