U21 Co. Championship
Kenmare District 1-13 Austin Stacks 1-11
The picturesque Templenoe was the venue Wednesday evening for the first round of the Acorn life U21 Championship. Kenmare District were our opponents, and a tough ask, to get a result down in this beautiful part of the County. Due to summer holidays and students immigrating, we had a much depleted panel, but what we did have was a very eager young side, who gave their all. When you see how teams are affected panel wise, throughout the County, at this time of year, then it’s time The County Board start looking to play this U21 C’ship earlier to give a true reflection of teams and make a more competitive competition.
We had a very small and loyal legion of supporters, who made the long trek for this match, fair dues to them. Our starting ’15’ Barry Galvin in goals, Shane Fitzgerald, Sean Purcell and Denis O’Neill, half-backs Seamus Bastible, Alan Crean and Ciaran O’Connell, mid-field Fiachna Mangan, Shane O’Callahan and Padraig Breen, with full-forward line of Dara O’Brien, Tom Moore and Danny Carroll, our subs were Tom McLoughlin, Don Quinn and Boris Ivanov. With Wayne calling the shots from the line, he was ably helped by Paudi Commane. John Tobin, Shane Carroll, John Dennis, Seanie Power and Barry Shanahan were all very helpful with duties and support throught the field of play.
The ball was thrown in @ 7-45 and immediately our keeper Barry Galvin was called into action, making a superb point blank range save. In the 2nd minute our Dara O’Brien opened the scoring with a fine point from play, this was closely followed by a near miss by the opposition in the 3rd minute, while our own Fiachna, who had a fine game went close in the 4th minute. The 7th minute saw another Kenmare attack, where slack marking on our behalf produced another 1st class save from Barry Galvin, who at full stretch pushed the ball behind for a 45′, witch was well taken and put between the posts to make it 1 point each.
The 11th,13th and 14th minutes saw Kenmare tag on 3 more unanswered points, 2 from play and 1 free, this could easily have been double, but for a fine performance from corner back Shane Fitz, who even though injured, played through the pain. A fine move, which started from the kick out by Barry, was picked up by ‘Elbows’ O’Connell who saw Shane O’Callahan free, Shane picked out Fiachna, who finished the move to the Kenmare net, to make it all square again.
A minute later and Kenmare were in front again with another point from play, followed by another point for the ‘Rock’. The 20th minute saw young Tom McLoughlin come into the match in place of P.Breen. Immediately Tom was involved, and played well. 22nd minute saw a Dara free just brush wide. The resulting kick out saw some sloppy defending again on our behalf, with players not following back with the end result giving no chance to Barry in goals. This goal was followed 2 minutes later by another point for Kenmare. The 27th had Shane find Fiachna, who played Dara through for a point from play. From the Kenmare kick out Fiachna was again unlucky, to just kick wide. 29th minute saw our final score of the half kicked superbly from the boot of Dara O’Brien from a difficult 45′. Half-time and we were still well in it, trailing by 2 points, 1-06 to 1-04.
Finest performances of the 1st half, were led by our younger brigade, Danny Carroll always looked treatening, while ‘Elbows’ O’Connell, ‘Lightening’ McLoughlin and Dara O’Brien all did well, Shane fitz was very dependable in defence, while Fiachna had a fine half also. The second half started very brightly for the young Rockies, and we were quickly level when firstly, Fiachna won a free, which Dara pointed and then ‘Big Red’ Don Quinn, who came on just before half-time for Tom Moore, gave a delightful pass to Dara, who again pointed, all square 1-06 a piece, and all to play for.
A minute later, and another free from Dara came off the upright and just went wide. 37th and 39th minute saw 2 unanswered points for Kenmare, 1 from play, 1 from a free. The next 5 minutes was dominated by the Rock. A quickly taken free, saw a lovely 1-2 between Dara and Big Red result in another kicked point from Dara. 42nd minute saw a superb run by Shane O’Callahan, but unfortunately the resulting shot, hit with power, just brushed wide. This was swiftly followed by by a fine run from Fiachna who forced the Kenmare keeper to make a fine save. The resulting 45′ was slotted over the bar, again by Dara. 1-08 a piece, and 15 minutes left. The 45th minute saw a fine Rockies move find Danny Carroll, who was unlucky to just kick wide after being pushed while kicking. The 46th, 47th & 49th minutes saw 3 points for Kenmare, 1 free and 2 from play. The 52nd minute saw Wayne Guthrie limped off injured, replaced by Tom Moore. 54th minute and another pointed free from Dara.
This was followed by what had looked like, a very serious injury to Sean Purcell, but thank god he came around after a while, he was replaced by Boris Ivanov. After a lenghty delay of 8 minutes the match resumed. The 57th saw a point for Kenmare from play, to put 3 between us. 2 quick points from Dara, 1 from play and 1 free made a tense last 2 minutes, with only a point between the sides. Dara was unlucky not to get a free from 14 yards in injury time, with the ref opting to give the home side a dubious free out instead. This resulted in the final score of the match, a point for Kenmare, leaving the final score 1-13 to 1-11, Kenmare probably deserving winners in the end.
The ‘Stacks’ came away with a lot of positives, fine performances from Dara (10 points), Fiachna (1 goal), young Danny Carroll, Barry Galvin, Ciaran and Tom McLoughlin, while Shane Fitz though injured played very well in the back line. Overall, we can look forward later in the season to the U21 club C’ship, at which time we should have a stronger panel (on paper) to choose from. Next in line for most of these young lads, is the Minor Co C’ship next Tuesday evening @ 7-30 in Ballylongford against Shannon Rangers.