U20 Club Football League : Austin Stacks 6-15; Na Gaeil 4-10.
After going down to Kilcummin/Rathmore in round one and conceding round two to Legion this 3rd round (of 5) Co. League game played on a warm summers evening in Connolly Park (Sat. 24th July) ended up with an eleven point victory for our lads after a high-scoring attacking game by both sides. The sides were level at 1-2 each after 12 minutes. A minute later Na Gaeil went ahead but an Adam Curran goal in the 14th minute gave us back our lead and we never lost that lead for the remainder of the game. We led by 2-3 to 1-3 at the first water-break and by eight points (4-6 to 2-4) at half time.
We led by nine points (5-10 to 3-7) at the end of the third quarter and, as already stated, finished the game with eleven points to spare. Having our Kerry U20 contingent back with the squad was, of course, an added bonus and they all played exceptionally well with Sean Quilter contributing 2-8 to the final total. It was also good to see Conor Myers back after missing a game or two with a slight injury. Conor added 2-2 to our total with Adam Curran just one behind on 2-1.
Na Gaeil could have been closer but for a number of great saves by Ben Quilter and some great defending by our six man defence which included Joey Nagle, Armin Heinrich and Luke Chester.
Team ( 13 aside): Ben Quilter, Ruairi O’Connell, Joey Nagle (0-1), No Number 4, Luke Chester, Armin Heinrich, Niall Fitzmaurice, Dean Scanlon, Dara Barry Walsh (0-1), Daniel O’Rourke, Conor Horan (0-2), Adam Curran (2-1), Seán Quilter (2-8 – six frees), Conor Myers (2-2), No Top of the Left.
Subs used: Tom O’Farrell (38m), Evan Foley (38m), Greg Scanlon (48m), Matthew Browne (50m).
Cian Purcell would normally be on the first 15 but unfortunately he spent most of the day in what is now a very busy Intensive Care Unit in Tralee General Hospital waiting to be treated for an injury picked in a recent game. We all wish Cian a full and speedy recovery.
Our next game – in round 4 of this five round Co. League – is another home game against Laune Rangers and is fixed for next Saturday week (7th August). The 5th and final round is an away game against Dr. Crokes on the week after that (14th Aug).