Kerry GAA Credit Union County League Division 1
Sunday, 16th March 2025
Austin Stacks 2-19 – 3-14 Killarney Legion** Venue:Connolly Park
Report by Tommy Naughton
Division 1 County League football returned to Connolly Park on a bright spring afternoon as Austin Stacks hosted Killarney Legion in the opening round of fixtures. It was a thrilling contest that swung both ways, with both sides adapting well to the new rules that promise an exciting season ahead. Stacks will be delighted to have opened their campaign with a win, especially after coming from behind when the game looked to be slipping away. However, they’ll also know there’s work to do after conceding three soft goals that kept Legion in the contest.
The visitors opened the scoring after three minutes from a close-range free, quickly cancelled out by a Sean Quilter free. Eoghan Carroll then pointed from distance before Legion replied with their first score from play. Two quick points from Legion opened a small gap, but Stacks responded through Quilter and Shane O’Callaghan to level matters at four points apiece after 13 minutes.
Legion edged ahead again from a free before Carroll’s goal-bound effort was tipped over by Brian Kelly. Three rapid Legion points gave them a brief cushion, but Conor Horan made history with the first-ever two-pointer scored at Connolly Park to narrow the gap. Legion struck for the game’s first goal soon after, punishing a lapse in the Stacks defence.
The home side responded superbly with four unanswered points from Quilter (including a 45), Jordan Kissane, and Horan to send the teams in level at the break.
Half-Time: Austin Stacks 0-11 Killarney Legion 1-08
Legion started the second half brightly with two frees, but Quilter replied before substitute Greg Horan announced himself with a stunning two-pointer off the outside of his boot to put Stacks ahead for the first time since the fifth minute. Moments later, Greg turned provider, threading a perfect pass for O’Callaghan to finish clinically to the net, giving Stacks a four-point lead.
Legion hit back immediately with a goal from the next kick-out, cutting the margin to one. Armin Heinrich and Kissane added points to restore a three-point cushion, but Legion refused to go away, pulling one back before Horan extended the lead again. Quilter added another free, but a late Legion surge saw them hit 1-03 without reply to move two points clear entering injury time.
With the clock ticking down, a high ball into the Legion square caused chaos, and O’Callaghan rose highest to flick the ball past the advancing keeper for a dramatic goal. Quilter added the insurance point moments later to seal a memorable win for the home side and their new management team.
Full-Time: Austin Stacks 2-19 Killarney Legion 3-14
It was also a proud day for Sean Óg Brosnan, who made his first senior start at corner-back and impressed throughout — a performance that suggests it certainly won’t be his last.
Austin Stacks:
Ben Quilter, Sean og Brosnan, Ronan Shanahan, Niall Fitzmaurice, Adam Curran, Jack O’Shea, Colm Browne, David Fitzmaurice, Armin Heinrich (0-01), Eoghan Carroll (0-02), Conor Horan (0-04, 1xF, 1x2point), Fiachna Mangan, Shane O’Callaghan (2-01), Sean Quilter (0-07, 4xF,1×45), Jordan Kissane (0-02).
Subs; Greg Horan (0-02, 1x2point) for David Fitzmaurice (35 mins), Luke Casey for Jordan Kissane (42 mins), Luke Chester for Adam Curran (42 mins), Colin Griffin for Sean og Brosnan (52 mins).
Killarney Legion;
Brian Kelly, Peter O Sullivan, Darragh O Doherty, Conor Gammell, Jonathan Lyne, Danny Sheahan, Cian Gammell(0-1), Shaun Keane, Eoghan O Sullivan, Finbarr Murphy, Sam Benson(1-1), Josh Bowler, Peter McCarthy(1-1) , Ryan O Grady (0-6), David O Sullivan(1-5) .
Subs; Bryan Walsh, Tom Benson, Cathal Sheahan, Colm O Cuiv, Mark Heffernan, Aindi O Cathasaigh, Luke Courtney, Jason O Sullivan.
Referee; Mike Hennessey (Ballyduff)
Images from the Division 1 County League opener between Austin Stacks and Killarney Legion in Connolly Park thanks to Adrienne McLoughlin.
Shane O’Cllaghan’s second goal