U21 Co. Championship:
Austin Stacks 0-12; St. Brendans 0-4.
The scoreline suggests an easy win but this was far from the case in this first round of the Co. Championship played in Connolly Park on this Wednesday evening (27th June).
Every time St. Brendans attacked they looked threatening and, but for super defending and brilliant goalkeeping, the half time score of 0-8 to 0-3 could be a lot closer.At the other end our forwards put over some brilliant points, especially in that first half with Darragh O’Brien’s (3), David Courtney’s (2) and Shane O’Callaghan’s scores just super.
But the score of the game came from centrefield man, Ciaran O’Connell in the 24th minute from distance.
A converted free by David Mannix in the 7th minute made up that half time score.
The second half was a rather tame affair with the visitors scoring just one point while we put over four – Shane O’Callaghan and Nicky O’Connell one each from play and two by David Mannix (one from a free).
It must be said that the Brendans team was at a far greater disadvantage by the non availability of their Kerry Minors, who were barred from playing because of their involvement in the Munster Final in eleven days time. Our only Kerry Minor absentee was Greg Horan.
Nonetheless the Management team of Wayne Quillinan, Seanie Power and John Tobin will be happy with a very competent display all round.
Team: Barry Galvin, Conor Jordan, Fearghal MacNamara, Alan Crean, Seamus Bastible, Ronan Shanahan, Gary O’Connor, Shane Carroll (Capt), Ciaran O’Connell (0-1), Don Quinn, Shane O’Callaghan (0-2), David Courtney (0-2), David Mannix (0-3 – 2 frees), Nicky O’Connell (0-1), Darragh O’Brien (0-3).
Subs used: Eamon McAllen (48m), Danny Carroll (48m), Barry Walsh (54m), Frankie Murphy (54m), David Hannafin (57m).