MINOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-18; Firies 1-9.
We qualified for our third Co. League Final in five seasons after a very comprehensive display against an opposition who defeated us by one point in the opening round of the competition two months ago. This semi final was played in ideal conditions in Connolly Park (the Nuns Field) on this Friday evening (22nd April) and within 35 seconds Philip Quilter popped over the first point of the game. Firies first score came from a pointed free in the 5th minute.
A minute later Philip delivered a perfect pass into Ferdia O’Brien who laid off to Cian Liston and Cian burst through for a great goal. Then David Fitzmaurice won the kick-out and his measured ball was won by Cian who found Ferdia who pointed. Our third point again came from Ferdia, with David again being the provider. After 12th minutes Cian’s goal still separated the sides (1-3 to 0-3).
However between then and the 26th minute we were in complete control adding a further six points without reply – Ferdia putting over his 3th, Cian also pointing, and two each by Fergal Ryan and Joseph O’Connor. Firies added the last score of the half – from a forty five. We led by 1-9 to 0-4 at the break with all our ten scores coming from play.
We had an even better start to the second half – with Ferdia pointing after just 22 seconds and then David, who had one of his best games ever in a Rock jersey, putting over from distance. Firies did more attacking in this second period, but our six defenders were superb, snuffing out attack after attack, so much so, that Robbie Murphy in goals had hardly a save to make. However Robbie did contribute to the victory with some perfect kick-outs, as Philip, David, Joseph and Michael Linnane, in particular, will testify. Firies did eventually get through for a goal in the 54th minute but we had the game very much in the bag at that stage.
Our other second half points came from Ferdia – to bring his total for the evening to eight (two frees), Donagh McKivergan (2 – one from a forty five) and the final point of the game by Fergal Ryan.
So now we face Dr. Crokes in the final which could well be fixed for next Friday. Crokes had a very comprehensive win over Gneeveguilla in their semi final game, played also on this Friday evening (4-15 to 1-9).
Team captain, Brandon Patterson picked up a slight knock, half way through the second half, and we all hope that Brandon will be fit for the Final.
Team: Robbie Murphy, Shane Kelliher, Dylan Casey, Brandon Patterson (Capt), Tomás Sheehy, Ciarán O’Reilly, Odhran Liston, Philip Quilter (0-1) , David Fitzmaurice (0-1), Donagh McKivergan (0-2 – one 45)), Fergal Ryan (0-3, Michael Linnane, Cian Liston (1-1), Joseph O’Connor (0-2), Ferdia O’Brien (0-8 – 2 frees).
Subs used: Donagh McMahon (43m), Harry O’Callaghan (46m), Conor Lowe (49m), Alan Dore (57m), Jason Roche (58m).
Our thanks to Adrienne for the following photographs:
