Sunday 8th June 2025
Kerry GAA Credit Union County League Division 1 Round 9
Beaufort v Austin Stacks
Venue; Beaufort
Throw-in; 2-00pm
Report by Tommy Naughton
Austin Stacks travelled to Beaufort on Sunday with what some would say was a very depleted squad but what they lacked in numbers they made up for with a great work ethic from start to finish.
After two opening wides for the Stacks the first score came after three minutes when Ronan Shanahan turned the ball over before finding Ferdia O’Brien to kick the opener. Ciaran Kennedy leveled the game before Sean Quilter kicked over a two pointer from the right wing. Again Beaufort were level a minute later when Fergal Hallisey kicked over a two point free.
A quick one two between Brendan O’Sullivan and Ferdia O’Brien saw Brendan kick a point from just outside the twenty one yard line to put the visitors back in front. Ferdia O’Brien went from creator to scorer in the next attack when he kicked over with his left foot. A second two point free from Fergal Hallisey had the sides level again after fifteen minutes.
Colm Browne’s explosive run from defense saw him run 50 yards with the ball before laying off to Ryan O’Driscoll to get his first score of the day. Sean Quilter kicked over a short range free to put the Stacks two points up before Ryan O’Driscoll kicked over another short ranged free after being pulled back just inside the 21 yard line. Sean Quilter had the gap out to four points with the aid of the post after a great pass from Fiachna Mangan.
Another free for Fergal Hallisey reduced the lead before Sean Quilter kicked a two pointer free from the forty five yard line. Back to back points from the home side from Liam Carey and Ronan Murphy had the gap down to three points with three minutes left in the half. Sean Quilter and Fiachna Mangan then combined to set Joe Reidy up to kick over from the right side to leave the Stacks four points up with just a minute of normal time remaining in the half. However Beaufort scored 1-01 in the added time to go in level at half time with the goal coming from Ciaran Kennedy and a point from Liam Carey.
Half Time: Beaufort 1-09 Austin Stacks 0-12
The sides exchanged points in the early stages of the second half with Ferdia O’Brien scoring for the Stacks and Ciaran Kennedy for Beaufort. Ferdia got another minutes later after some excellent patience in the build up by the Rockies and this was added to by a score from Joe Reidy under severe pressure.
Beaufort were then reduced to fourteen men when Sean Coffey was shown two yellows in the space of five seconds. The gap was down to a single point with ten minutes to go after a free from Fergal Hallisey and two minutes later it was all level with another Hallisey free.
Beaufort taught they had gone ahead but for Ben Quilter catching a two point attempt as it was about to drop over the crossbar and from the next attack Sean Quilter put the stacks ahead when Jack Murphy was hauled down . The gap was doubled to two points when Stacks were awarded a free from the kickout and Ferdia O’Brien tapped over with three minutes remaining.
In the final minute of normal time the game was once again level after when Liam Carey kicked a two pointer. The Stacks response was brilliant as in a matter of seconds the green flag was raised at the opposite end. Ben Quilter’s kickout was fielded by his brother Sean who picked out Fiachna Mangan, Fiachna’s direct run at the Beaufort back line resulted in him laying the ball off to Ferdia O’Brien who buried the ball low to the back of the net.
The stacks continued to pile on the pressure in added time with a pointed free from Ferdia O’Brien which was followed by two points from play by Ryan O’Driscoll and Joe Reidy and the gap was all of a sudden six points. Their was still time for the home side to be reduced to thirteen men before Fergal Hallisey kicked the last score with his third two point free.
Austin Stacks after this win are still in contention for the Division 1 league title with two games remaining. Next, they host joint league leaders Kerins O’Rahillys in two weeks time before travelling to Killorglin to face Laune Rangers in the final league match of the season.
Full Time; Beaufort 1-16 Austin Stacks 1-20
Austin Stacks; Ben Quilter, Colin Griffin, Jack O’Shea, Colm Browne, Paul O’Sullivan, Ronan Shanahan, Eoghan Carroll, Brendan O’Sullivan (0-01), David Fitzmaurice, Michael O’Donnell, Fiachna Mangan, Cian Dillane, Ryan O’Driscoll (0-03 (1f)), Sean Quilter (0-07 (1x2pt, 2f, 1x2ptf)), Ferdia O’Brien (1-06 (2f)) .
Subs; Joe Reidy (0-03) for Brendan O’Sullivan (10 mins), Sean og Brosnan for Cian Dillane (37 mins), Jack Murphy for Paul O’Sullivan (46 mins), Cillian Litchfield for Colm Browne 50 mins).
Beaufort Scorers; Fergal Hallissey (0-09 (3xf, 3x2ptf)), Ciaran Kennedy (1-02), Liam Carey (0-04 (1x2pt)), Ronan Murphy (0-01)
Referee; Eoghan Moriarty (Dingle)
