U16 Co. League Div 1 Final FT: Austin Stacks 4-14 Killarney Legion 1-15
written by Tim Mc Mahon
Stacks claimed their first Under 16 title in ten years as they overcame Legion in Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney on Saturday afternoon.
It has been a topsy turvey campaign for the side as they navigated their path through the competition with a few bumps on the road but they saved the best till last with a comprehensive display in the final. Playing with aid of a stiff breeze in the first half the Stacks rocked the Killarney boys with three first half goals, two from Cian Purcell and one from Conor Myers.
Stacks dominance in the opening period was due largely to the midfield pairing of Sean Quilter and Adam Curran greatly helped by the hard working wing forward duo of Craig Teahan and Owen Healy. With further points from marauding half back’s Eoghan Carroll and Luke Chester the lead was stretched to eleven at one stage before three late Legion points left the score at 3-6 to 0-7 at the break.
Aided with the breeze in the 2nd half a Legion response was always likely and they reeled off 1-3 in the opening eleven minutes to reduce the deficit to three. This was the pivotal moment in the match and a brilliant David Oba save kept the Rock in front. Dara Barry Walsh continued his exhibition of fielding to rally the troops and the Rock steadied the ship with three unanswered points as the dynamic half forward line duo of Daniel ORourke and Joe Bastible fed the outstanding Myers.
With the storm weathered, owing largely to the water tight defensive work of Leon Shalamba, Niall Fitzmaurice and David Burke, allied with the considerable contributions of substitutes Armin Heinrich and Jordan Kissane the Rockies kicked on for home and added a fourth goal from Myers in the 57minute to ease out victory.
Danny Draghici, Tom OFarrell and Charlie Curran were introduced late on as the hard fought lead allowed the Stacks to wind down the clock for a memorable win.
With the Under 14 title already claimed last April Stacks will look forward to the minor final versus Dr. Crokes on Wednesday. A victory there would see a hat trick of titles that would indicate a new dawn on the Street of Champions! Our thanks to Adrienne Mc Loughlin for the following photographs:
