Austin Stacks 1-9; Legion 0-9.
Our second Co. League game in three days, played in Connolly Park on this Friday evening (22nd June), was a far tighter affair than the runaway victory we had the previous Tuesday. A strong, determined challenge by the Killarney side made us fight all the way. At one stage, eight minutes into the second half, we lead by five points, but four points by the visitors in the next ten minutes saw our lead reduced to the minimum.
Such was the intensity of the defending by both sides that only two more points were scored in the closing 15 minutes, both for us.
The score that divided the sides at the end came in the 4th minute of the game when Mikey Collins, put through beautifully by Theo Diggin, and on a one to one with the Legion keeper, got the last touch to punch to the net for the only goal of the game.
Both sides scored four each between then and half time to leave us ahead by 1-4 to 0-4 at the break. Our scores came from team captain, Eoin Colgan (8m), two pointed frees by Kyle Fitzgibbon (11th and 21st) and one by Theo Diggin (28m).
We had extended that lead with two points from play by Kyle Fitzgibbon, the first from an acute angle. Points were then exchanged in the next four minutes (ours coming again from Theo).
But then came those four Legion points which made for a very tense closing 15 minutes.
However, in the 56th minute Ciaran O’Connell sent over a beauty from another acute angle followed, four minutes later, by one from Padraig Lynch following a great run by Joseph O’Kelly.
Losing Gearoid McCann to a shoulder injury one minute into the second half didn’t help our cause. We all wish Gearoid a speedy recovery.
Team: Patrick Fitzgibbon, Barry Walsh, Alan Crean, Shane Fitzgerald, Eoin Colgan (Capt) (0-1), John Dennis, Joseph O’Kelly, William Kirby, Gearoid McCann, Theo Diggin (0-2), Michael Collins (1-0), St. John Hegarty, Eamon McAllen, Ciaran O’Connell (0-1), Kyle Fitzgibbon (0-4 – 2 frees).
Subs used: Padraig Lynch (31m) (0-1), Breandan Caball (41m), Trevor Barrett (56m), Tom McLoughlin (60m).
We have one more round to play, at home to Spa, and if we win this we will qualify in 4th spot for the semi final, which means an away game to our opponents.
Austin Stacks – Theo Diggin in action V Legion last Friday evening in Connolly Park.
Rockie Support – David Mannix, Wayne Quillinan, Barry Shanahan, Dara Long, Denis Mc Elligott & Frankie Murphy.
Eoin Colgan about to kick a point during the first half.
Mikey Collins calls the pass from William Kirby
Stacks Alan Crean fights free from the Legion defence.
The Voice – Seanie Power passes on instructions to his team.
Eyes on the Ball – Stacks – Eamon Mc Allen
(all photographs by Adrienne Mc Loughlin).