U21s Advance to Championship QF

U21 Co Championship Rd1

Our U21 team advanced to the quarter final stage of the U21 County Championship on Monday night when they overcame the challenge of Rathmore in terrible conditions in Connolly Park.

Stacks started the first half playing against the strong wind and torrential rain and make the better start when Conor Horan opened the scoring in the second minute with a well taken free. Less than a minute later the only goal of the game was scored when Cian Purcell was quickest to react to a loose ball which he fired t0 the bottom corner. Adam Curran extended our lead with a point from play and then Jordan Kissane put over a free to see us ahead on a score line of 1-03 to 0-00 after the opening five minutes.

Rathmore got their first score before Stacks Ben keeper put us six points ahead again will a well-executed 45. Rathmore pulled two points back in quick succession with the second a great long-range point from the right wing. Conor Horan got his second point of the game after thirteen minutes but this was to be a last score for fifteen minutes with a number of good chances wasted. In this time Rathmore only managed to put over two more points. The last score of the first half came from John Carmody to leave us ahead by 1-06 to 0-06.

Our opening score in the second half came from substitute Joey Nagel with this being the first of his two monster scores from long range. Conor Horan soon after put over another free before Adam Curran got his second point of the game. With ten minutes remaining Conor Horan put over another excellent long-range point just before Rathmore got their only point of the second half from a free kick. Our final two points came from Joey Nagel and then Corner Back Luke Chester punched over from close range after some excellent build up play involving a number of players.

Final Score

Austin Stacks 1-12

Rathmore 0-07

We now await the draw for the quarter final with the next round expected to be next Monday night.

Starting Team: Ben Quilter (0-01, 45), Luke Chester (0-01), Niall Fitzmaurice, David Burke, Eoghan Carroll, Armin Heinrich, Cian Dillane, Dara Barry Walsh, Conor Horan (0-04, 2f), Cillian Litchfield, Adam Curran (0-02), John Carmody(0-01), Shane Bastible, Cian Purcell(1-00), Jordan Kissane(0-01, 1f).