Austin Stacks 0-08 Legion 1-6
We exited this season’s Co. Championship campaign at the semi final stage when we lost by the narrowest of margins at Fitzgerald Stadium on this Saturday evening (14th July). After David Mannix gave us the lead in the 4th minute, following a foul on Shane O’Callaghan, Legion equalized three minutes later and then, the only goal of the game came in the 9th minute when a free by the Killarney boys landed in the square and was punched to the net.
We never regained the lead after that even though we did level the game again half way through the second half. All our remaining four points in the first half came from play with David Mannix (2), Darragh O’Brien and Shane O’Callaghan on target, to leave Legion ahead at half time by 1-4 to 0-5.
The game could have been ‘done and dusted’ thirty four seconds after the resumption but for a brilliant save by Barry Galvin. By the end of the third quarter we had drawn level (0-8 to 1-5) with two pointed frees by David Mannix and a super effort from play by team captain, Shane Carroll.
With both sets of backs excelling, the only score of the final quarter came with a Legion point in the 57th minute.
With four minutes of added time played, Greg Horan was unlucky to see his shot, that would have equalized the game and brought the tie to extra time, drop short into the keeper.
Congratulations to Legion, who played with that little bit more intensity on the day but no fault could be attributed to our 16 lads who played. It must be remembered that only six were actually 21 and they really played their ‘hearts out’ – our half back line of Seamus Bastible, Ronan Shanahan and Gary Gazza O’Connor; David Courtney and David Mannix in the full forward line and team captain, Shane Carroll.
But it was even more gratifying to see our five minors playing so well, especially our three under 17 players, Conor Jordan, Greg Horan and Kyle Fitzgibbon , not to forget our two under 18 men, Ciaran O’Connell and Danny Carroll who were also superb.
But what a performance was also given by Barry Galvin, Fearghal MacNamara, Alan Crean, Shane O’Callaghan and Darragh O’Brien.
Well done also to the management team of Wayne Quillinan, Sean Power and John Tobin and those two outstanding backroom men of Paudie Commane and Ger Mannix.
Teams: Barry Galvin, Conor Jordan, Fearghal MacNamara, Alan Crean, Seamus Bastible, Ronan Shanahan, Gary O’Connor, Shane Carroll (Capt) (0-1), Ciaran O’Connell, Greg Horan, Shane O’Callaghan (0-1), Darragh O’Brien (0-1), David Courtney, David Mannix (0-5 – 3 frees), Danny Carroll.
Sub used: Kyle Fitzgibbon (52m).