Match Report by Tommy Naughton
Austin Stacks and An Ghaeltacht will both head into the final weekend of group games believing they can advance to the knockout stages of the Kerry Petroleum Intermediate Club Championship after a share of the spoils in Connolly Park on Saturday evening.
In what could be our last home game of the season depending on next week’s results this was a very low scoring game that neither side managed to get any period of dominance which disappointingly saw as many wide’s as scores.
The game was only ninety seconds old when we had seen both sides missing frees from Paddy Lane and Dara O’Se in their bid to take the lead early on. The opening score of the game came from Tomas O’Se who fired over after three minutes to give the visitors the lead. The lead only lasted two minutes when Cian Purcell claimed a mark just inside the 45-yard line and put the resulting kick between the uprights.
Paddy Lane was next to get on the scoresheet for Austin Stacks with the first of his five points. After an exchange of passes with Cian Purcell on the right-wing Paddy calmly scored from a tight angle. Stacks extended their lead to two points after some good patience were awarded a free which Paddy slotted over from just outside the 21 yard line.
Midway through the first half An Ghaeltacht reduced the deficit when Dara O’Se kick over a free which was to be his first point from his match total of five points. After both sides exchanged a couple of wide’s each the game was level again when a long kick out saw two stack’ss players collied going for the same ball and Dara O’Shea reacted quickest to gather and kicked over from long range and minutes later An Ghaeltacht were ahead when O’Se popped over another free.
The final score of the opening half came from the boot of Conor Horan after a driving run up the center of the pitch by Cian Purcell. Both sides failed to avail of the chance to grab the opening goal of the match as we headed towards half time, Firstly Paddy Lane was put through by Greg Horan as Stacks turned over a short kickout but he saw his low driven shot beat the keeper before flashing past the far post and then Seamus O’Loinsigh after a great solo run had his goal bound shot blocked by the covering Daniel Kirby.
Half Time, Austin Stacks 0-04 An Ghaeltacht 0-04
The first chance in the second half feel to Michael O’Donnel but his left footed free was wide of the mark. Seven minutes into the half Austin Stacks were awarded a penalty when Ronan Shanahans run through the An Ghaeltacht defense saw him offload to Paddy Lane was hauled down inside the penalty area. Stacks Captain Greg Horan took on the responsibility but saw his effort saved brilliantly by Sean O’Luing. Ruairi O’Beaglaoich put An Ghaetacht back in-front with a huge point from distance which was quickly canceled out by another Paddy Lane free.
Neither side could seem to pull away from the other as Daniel Kirby from play and a Paddy Lane free were cancelled out on both occasions by Dara O’Se for the visitors.
With five minutes remaining Austin Stacks went back in-front when Paddy Lane knocked over a free into the wind from just in front of the clubhouse which the home side hoped would be enough for the win especially when An Ghaeltacht were reduced to ten min after Brian O’Beaghlaoich picked up his second yellow card of the game to leave his side with fourteen men for the remainder of the match.
However, the men from the West aided by a wind showed their never say die character and in the 64th minute Cathal O’Beaglaoich kicked a monster score to bring us level again. Both sides had chances in the remaining five minutes of injury time with the visitors having the best of them but neither could get a winner which lets Group A finely balanced going into next weekend’s final group matches.
Full Time, Austin Stacks 0-08 An Ghaeltacht 0-08
We will now travel to Glenbeigh next weekend where we must get something from the game to qualify and only a win can see us top the group and set up a home quarter final.
Austin Stacks; Michael Tansley, Colin Griffin, Jack Morgan, Joey Nagle, Armin Heinrich, Dylan Casey, Ronan Shanahan, Barry Shanahan, Joe O’Connor, Michael O’Donnell, Fiachna Mangan, Conor Horan (0-01), Paddy Lane)0-05, 4 from frees), Greg Horan, Cian Purcell (0-01).
Subs: Daniel Kirby (0-01) for Conor Horan (26 mins), Ferdia O’Brien for Michael O’Donnell (42 mins), Jordan Kissane for Cian Purcell (48 mins), Colm Browne for Ronan Shanahan (48 mins), Paul Sullivan for Barry Shanahan (58th min).
An Ghaeltacht; Sean O’Luing, Seamus O’Loinsigh, Peter Paul Sauerland, Ronan O’Beaglaoich, Padraic O’Se, Brian O’Beaghlaoich, Steven O’Conchuir, Cathal O’Beaglaoich (0-01), Franz Saurland, Fegal O’Cuanaigh, Dara O’Se (0-05 , 3 from frees), Ruairi O’Beaglaoich (0-01), Oigi O’Se, Conn O’Riagain, Tomas O’Se (DC) (0-01).
Subs; Cian O’Murchu for Peter Paul Sauerland, JJ Maclinn for Seamus O’Loinsigh, Tomas O’Se (BB) for Oigi O’Se.
Referee; Tom Corbett , Milltown/Castlemaine
Match Day Images by Adrienne McLoughlin
Fanzone Images by Adrienne McLoughlin
