Sunday 20th April 2025
Kerry GAA Credit Union County League Division 1
Dr Crokes v Austin Stacks
Venue; Lewis Road Killarney
Throw-in; 2-00pm
Report by Tommy Naughton
Austin Stacks remain unbeaten after the opening four games in this seasons of the County League after they picked up a point away against the current League and County Champions Dr Crokes.
After a frantic start to the game that saw both teams’ turnover the ball in the attacking third on numerous occasions the opening score came from a two-point free from Billy Courtney for the Crokes after 5 minutes.
The only goal of the game came from the very next play when Cian Purcell managed to get a shot away from just inside the penalty area and when the Crokes keeper Bryan O’Shea blocked his initial shot Purcell was quickest to react to force the rebound home.
Colm Brown gave Stacks a two point lead before a Cian McMahon free had the minimum between the sides after twenty minutes. A Conor Horan point from a free was quickly followed by two quick points for Crokes by Alex Hennigan and Cian McMahon to bring the sides level again with five minutes remaining in the opening half.
Conor Horan kicked his second of the game before a driving run at the Crokes defense saw Jack O’Shea punch over from a tight angle as we headed into injury time. The final score of the half came from the boot of Brian Looney for Dr Crokes.
HALF TIME; Dr Crokes 0-06 Austin Stacks 1-04
Austin Stacks introduced Michael O’Donnell and Paul O’Sullivan for Brendan O’Sullivan and Armin Heinrich at half time. Just like in the first half the opening score came from a two point free from Billy Courtney to put the home side ahead by one for the first time since the opening exchanges of the first half. Dr Crokes could have gone further ahead when Cian McMahon intercepted a kick out but his goal bound attempt was saved by Austin Stacks keeper Ben Quilter.
Stacks were back in-front within three minutes with points from the hard working Gearoid Fitzgerald and Cian Purcell. A Micheal Burns free had us level again as the game flowed up and down the field at an incredible pace with neither side giving an inch.
Another Conor Horan point from a free had stacks ahead by one, but a two pointer from play by Liam Randles had the home side back in front. Micheal Burns kicked over his second free and then Dr Crokes were three points ahead when Mike Casey kicked over from just inside the 21 yard line with thirteen minutes gone in the second half.
Darragh O’Brien replaced Gearoid Fitzgerald as Stacks looked to close the three point gap which they did brilliantly with four unanswered points in the next two minutes. Michael O’Donnel got the first when he out-jumped his marker to punch over from a crowded goalmouth. This was followed by a huge two-point score from Cian Purcell to bring the sides level and then Micheal O’Donnel got his second with a great score from the left wing.
The score of the game came with ten minutes remaining when from a Stacks kickout they held possession inside their own half under sever pressure from the Dr Crokes Press. Jack O’Shea picked up the ball and broke through the first line of defence and a after a quick one-two Jack handed off the ball off to the onrushing Sean og Brosnan to fire over and put Stacks two points ahead.
Micheal Burns kicked over his third point before Brian Looney scored and for the fifth time the sides were level again. Amazingly this score came in the 22nd minute of the second half and it was to be the last score of the game.
Dr Crokes were reduced to fourteen men with four minutes remaining after Evan Looney picked up his second yellow card with Austin Stacks bringing on Conor Myers for Joe Reidy. The Rockies will feel they should have added to the scoreline and taken the win with three great chances in the dying minutes but it wasn’t to be on this occasion and both teams went home with a point each to leave Austin Stacks at the top of Division 1 and Dr Crokes in third place just two points behind.
Full Time: Dr Crokes 0-15 Austin Stacks 1-12
Austin Stacks; Ben Quilter, Colin Griffin, Jack O’Shea (0-01), Ronan Shanahan, Colm Browne (0-01), Armin Heinrich, Sean og Brosnan (0-01), Greg Horan, Luke Casey , Joe Reidy, Conor Horan(0-03, (2f)), Gearoid Fitzgerald (0-01), Shane O’Callaghan, Brendan O’Sullivan, Cian Purcell (1-03 (1x2pt)).
Subs; Michael O’Donnell (0-02) for Brendan O’Sullivan (HT), Paul O’Sullivan for Armin Heinrich (HT), Darragh O’Brien for Gearoid Fitzgerald (43 mins), Conor Myers for Joe Reidy (54 mins)
Dr Crokes; Bryan O’Shea, David Naughton, Michael Potts, Neil O’Shea, Liam Randles (0-02 (1x2pt), Mark Cooper, Evan Looney, Charlie Keating, Mark O’Shea, Billy Courtney (0-04, (2x2pt free), Cian McMahon (0-02 (1f), Liam Kelliher, Mikey Casey (0-01), Brian Looney (0-02), Alex Hennigan (0-01).
Subs; Micheal Burns (0-03 (3f)) for Liam Kelliher, Fionn Fitzgerald for Michael Potts.
Referee; Sean Joy (Laune Rangers)
