Match report by Shane Lynch
With an average age of just shy of 20, one of the youngest senior teams ever to line out in the Black & Amber secured two valuable points in the B team’s second round Division 5A game away to Tuosist on Saturday evening. Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze in the first half, a Rockie side featuring five of last year’s Minor team dominated the opening exchanges to race into a 3-point lead by the fifth minute, with scores from play by Shane Bastible, Calvin Foley and Padraig O’Halloran. Tuosist, who suffered a heavy defeat away to Duagh in their opening round game, settled after our opening salvo and reeled off 3 points in a row between the fifth and 11th minute to level the scores. Stacks’ midfield duo of Bobby Byrne and Joe Reidy were winning the centre field battle In the first quarter and provided good supply to our attacking halfbacks and half forward line, but a series of attacks broke down in that quarter due to very determined Tuosist defending and some inaccurate long kick passing into our full forward line. The team regained their attacking rhythm after Tuosist’s equaliser and a scoring burst over the next 6 mins saw Padraig O’Halloran notch his second point from play followed by two Calvin Foley frees, to leave us 0-0 6 to 0-3 ahead at the 21st minutes. Some excellent defending restricted Tuosist to just two further scores before halftime – both from frees – with three more points for Stacks from Calvin Foley (free), a fine Shane Bastible point from play and Sean Og Brosnan’s constant attacking threat from wing back rewarded with a point on the stroke of halftime, leaving the scores at 0-9 to 0-5 in favour of the Rock.
Tuosist used the strong breeze to great advantage in the initial moments of the second half and a long ball into their full forward resulted in the only goal of the match in the 31st minute. The home side’s momentum grew with a levelling point from a free in the 34th minute and one might have worried about how this very young Rock side would react to having their lead eliminated in short time and with over 25 minutes left playing into the wind. Any concern was misplaced however as collectively the team more than rose to the challenge and outscored the home side by 8 points to 4 over the remainder of the match. The foundations were laid by a brilliant defensive display after a lapse for the Tuosist goal, from the back four of goalie Steven Conway who was excellent with his kickouts, Ruairi O’Connell a rock at fullback flanked by the ever-tenacious Sean Moynihan and by Sean Heaslip making an impressive senior debut with a 43rd minute point the highlight. Dean Rusk broke down countless Tuosist attacks from his centre back position and allowed Padraig O’Halloran and man of the match Sean Og Brosnan plenty latitude to constantly attack the home side down the wings, contributing 3 points between them in that second half. Sean Og was unlucky not to add a goal to his tally, being denied by a brilliant save from the Tuosist goalkeeper at the end of the 3rdquarter. Bobby Byrne won the aerial battle in midfield and was very ably supported by Joe Reidy who kicked a fine point in the 51st minute. Our forward line led by Shane Bastible (0-3, 0-1f) and Calvin Foley (0-6, 0-2f) found greater space in which to operate in the 2nd half and Evan Foley gave his customary non-stop effort throughout. Substitutes Jack Barrett and Barry Nagle both acquitted themselves well on their senior debuts, replacing Dan O’Rourke who linked the play well in the first half and Joe Looby who returned to the fray in the 40th minute replacing Jake O’Connor. Overall it was a fine performance from a young side that will have gained great experience from this battle down south.
The Celsius Man of the Match award deservedly went to Sean Óg Brosnan, particularly for his brilliant attacking play in the second half. Well done Sean Óg.
Thanks to Power Travel for sponsoring the team bus for the long round journey.
Full Time Austin Stacks 0-17 Tuosist 1-10.
Austin Stacks Team: Steven Conway, Sean Moynihan, Ruairi O’Connell, Sean Heaslip (0-1), Sean Óg Brosnan (0-3), Dean Rusk, Pádraig O’Halloran (0-3), Joe Reidy (0-1), Bobby Byrne, Evan Foley, Shane Bastible (0-3, 0-1f), Dan O’Rourke, Joe Looby, Calvin Foley (0-6, 0-2f), Jake O’Connor.
Subs: Jack Barrett for Joe Looby (HT), Barry Nagle for Dan O’Rourke (HT), Joe Looby for Jake O’Connor (40m).
Management Team: Denis Sayers (manager), Richie Conway, Paddy Barry.
Referee: Muiris O’Sullivan Na Gaeil
Next up for the Bs is the third round of the league at home in Connolly Park vs Asdee on Sunday (7th April).
Senior B Team prior to their victory against Tuosist
Celsius Man of the Match award deservedly went to Sean Óg Brosnan