Minor Co. League
John Mitchel’s 0-07 Austin Stacks 5-13
Oh what a difference a year makes. Just over ten months ago Mitchels trashed us in the MF Co. League final with 19 points to spare (3-18 to 0-8). But in this postponed round 1 game of this season’s League, played in Chamfers on this Thursday evening (28th March), we went two better – turning the tables on our cross-town neighbours with 21 points to spare.
We played against a bitterly cold and strong wind in the first half but still went in at half time leading by 2-6 to 0-4.
Just 25 seconds had elapsed when Eamon McAllen latched on to a loose ball in the Mitchels defence, passed to Ciarán Flanagan and Flan made no mistake, blasting to the net. Our second goal came in the 25th minute when Breandán Cabll and Eamon McAllen combined for Eamon to goal.
In between we had scored five points with Eamon (2), Conor Jordan, Greg Horan and Breandán Caball on target. Just coming up to the interval Greg had our final point of the half from a free following a foul on Sean Dukes.
Three more second half goals from Eamon McAllen (his 2nd), Ciaran Flanagan (his 2nd) and a late one by Greg ensured a comfortable victory. Nine players in all got on the score sheet, including two of our backs – Aidan McQuinn and Joseph O’Kelly.
But the manner of our performance was equally as impressive as the scoreline.
Brian Horgan has kept a clean sheet now in four of our six games this season. Corner backs Dylan Hartentt and Aidan McQuinn are never caught out. Eoghan McKivergan gave another solid display at full back. Barry Walsh can play in any defensive position. Jack Kenny, in his first season as a Minor has really settled in at wing back, and Joseph O’Kelly on the other wing never puts a foot wrong and is deservedly on the Kerry MF panel.
Our other two Kerry panelists, Conor Jordan and Greg Horan, played at centerfield to day and were simply brilliant. The fruits of their clean catching and pinpoint passing to their inside forwards can be seen in the score line, apart from their own contribution to the score line – Conor (0-2) and Greg (1-2).
All our six forwards played superbly, including Colin Griffin and Sean Dukes who are in their 1st season as Minors.
And bear in mind we were missing this season’s scorer-in-chief, Kyle Fitzgibbon, who has, so far, amassed a total of 28 points in his five games.
Team: Brian Horgan, Aidan McQuinn (0-1), Eoghan McKivergan, Dylan Hartnett, Jack Kenny, Barry Walsh, Joseph O’Kelly (0-1), Conor Jordan (0-2), Greg Horan (Capt) (1-2 – 1 free), Breandán Caball (0-2), Seán Ryan (0-1), Colin Griffin (0-1), Eamon McAllen (2-3), Ciaran Flanagan (2-0), Sean Dukes.
Subs: Sam Nealon and Niall O’Carroll-Cane (both 37m).
In a week’s time we play Kerins O’Rahillys in the penultimate round with the final round (against Dingle) due to take place the following week.