Sunday 11th May 2025
Kerry GAA Credit Union County League Division 1
Austin Stacks v Kilcummin
Venue; Connolly Park
Throw-in; 2-00pm
Report by Tommy Naughton
Austin Stacks sit top of Division 1 of the County League after six rounds with another win, this time at home against a very impressive Kilcummin side. This win was built on a fast start with two goals coming in the opening five minutes and a very strong final ten minutes where the Rockies showed superior fitness and craft to get the win.
Donal Maher kicked the opening score of the game within the first minute for Kilcummin before Sean Quilter opened the home sides scoring when he fired the ball into the top corner from just outside the 14 yard line. Philip O’Leary responded with a point for the away side but again Stacks raised the green flag after a great move that saw Michael O’Donnel off loading the ball to Ronan Shanahan who picked out Darragh O’Brien to fist the ball home.
Paul O’Shea kicked over a to reduce the gap to three points after 8 minutes. Two more quick unanswered points from Michael O’Donnell and Brendan O’Sullivan were cancelled out when Philip O’Leary got on the scoresheet and this was followed by a two point free from the impressive Paul O’Shea to leave the Stacks two points up after the opening quarter. Kilcummin will feel unlucky that they didn’t go in front as a goal bound shot was somehow clawed off the goal line with a diving save from the last man back Jack O’Shea.
Sean Quilter kicked over a close range free and a well taken point from Darragh O’Brien under severe pressure doubled the Stacks lead. Chris O’Leary kicked over for Kilcummin and the gap was once again two points after another Paul O’Shea free. Shane O’Callaghan kicked his only score of the day before James Nagle replied with his only score and Kilcummin’s last score of the half.
The Stacks finished the half the stronger with three points without reply. The first came from Michael O’Donnel and this was followed by two from Sean Quilter , one from a free and the other from open play which left the Rockies ahead on a score of 2-09 to 0-09 at half time.
Half Time; Austin Stacks 2-09 Kilcummin 0-09
Darragh O’Brien kicked the opening score of the second half to give the home side a seven point lead. This lead was reduced to four points when Paul O’Shea kicked another two point free and Paudie Moynihan got his first of the day. The gap could have been down to a single point only for a great point blank save by Stacks keeper Ben Quilter.
Points from Sean Quilter and Greg Horan extended the lead to five points with a first from Matt Keane for Kilcummin as we headed into a frantic final ten minutes. Substitute Ferdia O’Brien kicked over a close range free and this was followed by a score from play by Sean Quilter. The lead was now eight points and not for the first time today Kilcummin will feel they should have raised the white flag but for yet another great save from Ben Quilter.
Another Paul O’Shea free was followed by a pointed free from Ryan O’Driscoll making his first senior appearance . Austin Stacks continued to push forward with another point from Ferdia O’Brien and then Luke Chester fisted over when he was bearing down on goal as we headed into injury time. Ferdia O’Brien kicked over another close range free before the final score of the game came from Paul O’Shea who kicked over another two point free .
Full Time; Austin Stacks 2-19 Kilcummin 0-16
Austin Stacks; Ben Quilter, Colin Griffin, Jack O’Shea, Sean og Brosnan, Adam Curran, Luke Casey, Ronan Shanahan, Greg Horan (0-01), Colm Browne , Shane O’Callaghan (0-01), Darragh O’Brien (1-02), Conor Horan, Sean Quilter (1-07 (2f)), Brendan O’Sullivan (0-01), Michael O’Donnell (0-02).
Subs; Niall Fitzmaurice for Adam Curran (Half Time), Ferdia O’Brien (0-03 (2f)) for Brendan O’Sullivan (42 mins), Cian Dillane for Darragh O’Brien (50 mins), Ryan O’Driscoll (0-01 (1f)) for Conor Horan (54 mins), Luke Chester (0-01) for Sean og Brosnan (54 mins).
Kilcummin Scorers; Paul O’Shea (0-09 (3f, 1x2pt,2x2pt free)), Donal Maher (0-01), Philip O’Leary (0-02), Chris O’Leary (0-01), James Nagle (0-01), Paudie Moynihan (0-01), Matt Keane (0-01).
Referee; Denis Kennelly (Moyvane)
Div 1 County League Gallery, Austin Stacks v Kilcummin 11-05-2025
Images thanks to Adrienne McLoughlin
