Culture Night Fireworks at Connolly Park Spectacular – report by Gene O’Donnell
This second round Randle Brothers Intermediate championship served up some impressive fare under the gaze of Kerry Senior Joint Manager, Declan Quill and a sizeable audience. It seems that there is a market for this format as there was a large cohort of neutrals in attendance as well as watching scouts from rival camps! A large gathering enjoyed a fascinating encounter with the highlight being a masterclass by Louise Ní Mhuireartaigh under lights at Connolly Park. This was despite an excellent display by Austin Stacks defence, especially full backs Niamh Loughnane and Norma O’Connor and Lara Flynn who did not put a foot wrong all night.
Corca Dhuibhne got off to a great start with Louise Ní Ni Mhuireartaigh, Cait Ní Luing and Siobhan Ní Chuanaigh, racking up points at will from some superb kickpassing, well timed support runs and quality score taking. This was not to say Austin Stacks were not playing well, because they were. It was just that the likes of Louise Ní Ni Mhuireartaigh and her supporting cast were so adept at creating space and using well honed passes that they were able to finish their moves. The first quarter ended and a point from Louise N Ní i Mhuireartaigh which was followed by goal from Siobhan Ní Chuanaigh made things look ominous. A good save from a Megan O’Brien penalty looked like the nail on the coffin for the black and amber girls but almost immediately Megan showed fantastic character to force a turnover from a Corca Dhuibhne kickout and finish to the net for a much needed Stacks goal.
At half time, the score stood at Corca Dhuibhne 2-12 to Austin Stacks 1-5 and Louise Ní Mhuireartaigh did not reappear for the second half. But a new resurgent Stacks outfit did, scoring 3-4 in a blistering 3rd quarter, what American sport pundits have christened the moving quarter. And wow, did Stacks move and move well. Goals by Megan O’Brien, Mollie O’Carroll and Caoimhe Barry Walsh were interspersed by points form Caoimhe Barry Walsh(3) and the livewire Mollie O’Carroll.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, there were lots of rumblings amongst the reawakened by standers. Yes, in Peter Canavan style, Louise Ni Mhuirchaertaigh was being introduced to the fray. 3 points by the same player either side of goals by Lisa Ní Gearailt and Cáit Ní Luing meant that, despite a last minute consolation goal by Mollie O’Carroll, it meant that it gave the West Kerry outfit the spoils and at the end deservedly so. So it is two wins out of two for the Corca Dhuibhne squad and they will take solace form the fact that despite a poor 3rd quarter they still ran out winners. From the home team’s perspective, The Rock players can hold their heads up high after a stirring display where Norma O’Connor, Niamh Loughnane, Lara Flynn, Róise O’Donnell, Eimear O’Sullivan and Sarah Hoare battled bravely for the hour. Aoife Dillane formed a great partnership with the returning Emma McCarthy and up front the hard working Katie Killeen, Breda Slattery, Caoimhe Barry Walsh showed great link play and provided some great ball into the inside forwards, where Mollie O’Carroll was a constant threat and Marina Barry Walsh and Linda Raymond alternated the role of pointguard directing the play with great precision and authority. For manager, John Walsh another encouraging step in the right direction, lessons learnt, take the positives and as always beidh lá eile. Laoch na h-imeartha: Louise Ní Mhuireartaigh.
Austin Stacks: Chloe Fitzpatrick, Niamh Loughnane, Lara Flynn, Norma O’Connor (Karena Slattery), Róise O’Donnell, Eimear O’Sullivan, Sarah Hoare, Aoife Dillane, Emma McCarthy, Megan O’Brien, Caoimhe Barry Walsh, Katie Killeen, Marian Barry Walsh, Linda Raymond, Marina Barry Walsh.
Corca Dhuibhne: C Ní Chonchuir, E Ní Grainne, M Ní Cioblain, Leah Getgate, Neasa Ní Dufaigh, C Ní Long, A. Stack, N Ní Chonchuir, C Ní Luing, S. Ní Chuanaigh, R Ní Chonchuir, L Ní Gearailt, K Getgate, L Ní Mhuirtearaigh, R Ní Chuirnean. Subs R. Ní Chonchuir, C dehora G Ní Chiobhlain, K Ní Bhrian, N Ní Chonchuir.
Mounthawk Secondary Teacher & Corca Dhuibhne’s Louise Ní Mhuirtearagih with school students & Austin Stacks players – Kirby Anne Ryan, Roise O’Donnell, Lara Flynn & Grainne Carmody.