U21 FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-12; South Kerry 2-10.
Connolly Park was the venue on Wednesday evening (17th May) for the opening round of this season’s knock-out Co. Championship. And after a brilliant display by both sides we just came up short at the end going down by the narrowest of margins. A point each (ours from a Jordan Kissane free) inside the opening two minutes was followed quickly by a South Kerry goal to give them an early three points lead. But we recovered well and were slightly the better side for the remainder of the half going in at the break just one point in arrears (1-6 to 0-8). Jordan added two more points from frees with Damien Hogan also scoring from two frees with the remaining points from play by Shane Bastible (2) and Jack Murphy.
The visitors then dominated the opening quarter of the second half scoring a goal and four points without reply to leave them ahead by double scores at that stage (2-10 to 0-8).But our boys rallied well during the final quarter holding the opposition scoreless while adding 1-4 to their tally – a goal and three points coming from Damien Hogan with Cillian Litchfield on target also.
Team: Ben Quilter, Ruairí O’Connell, Joey Nagle, Luke Casey, Jack Murphy (0-1), Armin Heinrich (Capt), Dean Rusk, Colm Browne, Cillian Litchfield (0-1), Noah Townsend, Jordan Kissane (0-3 frees), Shane Bastible (0-2), Donnacha Sayers, Damien Hogan (1-5 – five frees), Evan Foley.
Subs used: Joe Reidy 23m), Thomas Deregee (27m), Michael Tansley (55m).