U21 FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 5-6; Ballydonoghue 1-4.
Despite the inclement weather – it rained constantly during the whole game – both sides played good, open, attractive football in this, the second semi final, of the Co. Club Championship (Shield Section) played in Connolly Park on this Bank Holiday Monday (26th Oct). After both sides registered two wides each early on, Ballydonoghue opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a nice point from play. Two minutes later Greg Horan burst through the centre, laid off to Seán Dukes and the breaking ball was finished to the net by Philip Quilter.
The conditions weren’t conducive to a high-scoring game and in the next twelve minutes both sides added two more points each – ours coming from a Seán Fizmaurice free after a foul on Louis Ryle, and the second by team captain, Alan Duggan from an acute angle. One of the Ballydonoghue points was goal-bound but for a brilliant tip-over save by Paddy Fitzgibbon. But with our defence playing superbly and midfielders, Alan Duggan and Conor Jordan also in command we finished out the half with two further points by Jack Morgan and Greg Horan and the final score of the half, a great goal by Jack O’Shea. This left us seven clear at half time – 2-4 to 0-3. On the resumption the visitors won the throw-in but their attack was broken up by Colin Griffin who raced upfield and his final pass found Greg who finished low to the net after just 45 secondsThe next score came in the 39th minute – a good goal for the North Kerry side, but then in the space of four minutes it was game over when Jack O’Shea and Seán Dukes pointed after good support play by Jack Morgan and a clincher of a goal by Alan Duggan (who celebrated his 21st birthday last Wednesday – belated happy birthday Alan) following good work by Seán Fitzmaurice. A pointed free by Ballydonoghue followed and the last score of the game was a 5th goal for us put away beautifully by Greg Horan. So it’s now on to the final of the competition when we face Templenoe on a date and venue to be fixed.
Team: Patrick Fitzgibbon, Jack Morgan (0-1), Barry Walsh, Colin Griffin, Dylan Harnett, Eoghan McKivergan, Jack O’Shea (1-1), Alan Duggan (Capt) (1-1), Conor Jordan, Shane Crowley, Greg Horan (2-1), Louis Ryle, Seán Fitzmaurice (0-1 free), Seán Dukes (0-1), Philip Quilter (1-0).
Subs used: Paul Galvin (ht), Seán Hurley (38m), Oisín Fitzgerald (38m).