Garvey’s SuperValu Senior County Football Championship Semi Final
Austin Stacks v Rathmore
Saturday 18th October 2025
Venue: Fitzgerald Stadium
Throw In: 4:00pm
Austin Stacks have booked their place in the Garvey’s SuperValu Senior County Championship Final for the first time since 2021, following a composed and impressive victory over fellow county league division 1 club side Rathmore.
The atmosphere was electric even before the match began, as the Rockies’ loyal supporters filled Fitzgerald Stadium with colour and noise, energizing the players on the field.
Playing into the scoreboard end, Austin Stacks struck first with a Paddy Lane free after Daniel Kirby was fouled. Rathmore’s Shane Ryan quickly replied with a free of his own. Both sides missed chances before Armin Heinrich landed the first two-pointer from just inside the 45-yard line.
Rathmore narrowed the gap with a Ciaran Collins free after Fionn Murphy was fouled, and Mark Reen soon leveled the game in the 12th minute. Jordan Kissane edged Stacks ahead, but Mark Ryan equalized again with ten minutes left in the half.
With the game finely poised, Stacks found inspiration late in the half. Paddy Lane and Joe O’Connor both scored crucial two-pointers, giving the Rockies a four-point cushion at the break.
Half Time: Austin Stacks 0-08 Rathmore 0-04
Stacks started the second half strongly, with Joe O’Connor and Jordan Kissane extending their lead. Rathmore fought back, with Shane Ryan converting a two-point free and Fionn Murphy adding another, reducing the deficit to three points after forty minutes.
However, Stacks began to dominate possession and made it count. Paddy Lane and Joe O’Connor added points from play, and Lane converted another free, stretching the lead to six points entering the final quarter.
John Moynihan and Paddy Lane exchanged points, and Shane Ryan’s free brought Rathmore within five. Stacks’ substitutes made an impact, with Ronan Carroll pointing before Joe O’Connor broke through to drill the ball low into the bottom corner, raising the green flag for the first time.
Rathmore responded instantly, with John Moynihan netting from a tight angle, but Stacks managed the closing minutes expertly, controlling possession and sealing the win with a final point from Ben Murphy.
Full Time: Austin Stacks 1-16 Rathmore 1-09
The Rockies now look forward to the county final, defying early-season predictions from many. There will be lessons to learn from this win, but for now, excitement builds for next Sunday’s showdown against either Mid Kerry or Dingle.
Austin Stacks; Michael Tansley; Colin Griffin, Luke Casey; Niall Fitzmaurice; Eoghan Carroll, Armin Heinrich (0-2, 1tp), Ronan Shanahan; Joe O’Connor (1-4, 1tp), Ben Murphy (0-01); Michael O’Donnell, Conor Horan, Daniel Kirby; Paddy Lane (0-6, 1tp, 2fs), Cian Purcell, Jordan Kissane (0-2). Subs; Joey Nagle for Niall Fitzmaurice (36), Greg Horan for Conor Horan (42), Ronan Carroll (0-01) for Jordan Kissane (46), Jack O’Shea for Luke Casey (51), Colm Browne for Michael O’Donnell (55).
Rathmore; William Casey; Cian Dineen, Dan Murphy, Fionn Holohan; Alan Dineen, Paul Murphy, Fionn Murphy (0-01); Andrew Moynihan, Cathal Ryan; Brian Friel, Shane Ryan (0-4, tpf, 1f, ’45), Brendan O’Keeffe; Mark Reen (0-01), Ciaran Collins (0-01, 1f), Mark Ryan (0-01). Darragh O’Rahilly for P Murphy (h/t), John Moynihan (1-1) for M Reen (45), Cian O’Connor for A Dineen (52), Padraig Moynihan for M Ryan (57)
Referee; B Griffin (Clounmacon)
Match Images thanks to Adrienne McLoughlin
