Minor Co. Championship
East Kerry 3-17 Austin Stacks 1-7
Where do I start and where do I finish? Our team for this final bite of the cherry in the championship V East Kerry, which took place in Spa, Killarney was in goal Paddy Fitzgibbon Conor Jordan, Barry Walsh and Tom McLaughlin, Mike Godley, Ciaran O’Connell, and Paul Galvin, mid-field Alan Crean and Shane Crowley, Half-forwards Eamon McAllen, Dara O’Brien, Greg Horan, our inside line consisted of Danny Carroll, Alan Duggan and Kyle Fitzgibbon. I’d like to thank Jerry Fitzmaurice for obliging us by doing linesman for this match. I was however, disappointed that out of our travelling support, no one would do umpire for us. These jobs can be crucial at times, and often bad decisions, which supporters complain about, can be prevented.
Throw in was @ 7-40 and the ‘Rockies’ got off to a great, you could say, they landed running. East Kerry opened the scoring from the throw in, with a point from play. We quickly responded with a point from play by Dara O’Brien, the final pass being supplied by Greg Horan. Alan Crean won the kick out and picked out Kyle with a kick pass, Kyle spotted Eamon McAllen who carried the ball goal ward and calmly finished superbly to the net. A minute later Mike Godley won possession and carried the ball 40 yards, before finding Danny Carroll who pointed from play. This was followed with a point from play by East Kerry. In the 6th minute Dara won a breaking ball and found Kyle, who played to Eamon, Eamon slotted the ball between the posts, 6 minutes gone and the Rock leading 1-03 to 2 points.
We had alot of possession for the next 20 minutes, but failed to score. East Kerry tagged on 3 points in the 15th,17th and 21st minutes, 1 x free and 2 from play. The 27th minute saw a great individual score, with Dara picking up the ball half way and carrying forward before putting it over the bar. East Kerry pointed a 45′ after a great save from Paddy Fitzgibbon. Half-time and we led by 1-04 to 0-6 points. We had Ciaran O’Connell doing a man to man team up on C’ O’Donaghue, possibly the best Kerry minor in the County, and Ciaran did a superb job, keeping him scoreless and quite. All our backs had a good 1st half, with particularly good performances from Mike Godley and Ciaran who were marking 2 of their best players, well done to both of them.
Second half, and ball was thrown in at 8-22, sorry to say, but 30 minutes of football we could have done without. We never got into this half and all credit to East Kerry who played very well. Points in the 32nd,34th and 37th minutes, 2 from play and 1 x free, was swiftly followed in the 38th minute by a goal from play, suddenly we were 5 points down and heads dropped. 41st and another point from a free, 2 minutes later Dara pointed a 45′. Not wanting to sound like, Colm O’Rourke, but if these are the best refs in the County for serious Championship matches, then the Game in general is SCUPPERED. 2 weeks in a row, I’ve seen very poor refereeing.
We switched Ciaran to midfield and Alan full back, the next score was to prove the final nail in our coffin. Back to the previous subject of refereeing, Alan Crean was pulled to the ground in front of the ref who left play proceed, resulting in a goal from play. Earlier in the match Dara O’Brien was clearly kicked in front of the ref who only managed to produce a yellow card, very off putting for young lads. This goal was followed 3 minutes later by another goal for East Kerry. Another point from play by Eamon McAllen who played well. 3 more points for East Kerry, 2 x frees and 1 from play followed, while Dara pointed a free in the 55th minute. Final score 3-16 to 1-07, overall very disappointing.
To say we only played in snatches would be an understatement, a game of 60 minutes, must be played for 60 minutes and clearly we didn’t! We could use excuses like, lads couldn’t train with exams etc. but all teams were in the same boat. You only get out what you put in, and clearly we didn’t put enough in. Hopefully we will turn the corner for the district league, with matches against Strand Road, Na Gael, Desmonds and a very good Mitchels’ team over the coming weeks on Friday nights. Training resumes 5pm Thursday and we wish well to our Senior team the weekend, with Dara, Danny and Alan on the Panel. 
Austin Stacks Minor Michael Godley makes a clearance.
One for the future – Austin Stacks U16 & Minor – Greg Horan in Action.
Austin Stacks Mentor Kevin O’Carroll deep in thought.
Austin Stacks Minor – Ciaran O’Connell gives it his all. Take a close look at the football . . “East Kerry hold the ‘Super Rockies’ in the palm of their hands”.
(thanks to Adrienne Mc Loughlin for her photographs).