Austin Stacks 1 -05 Castlegregory 1 -04
Seamus Darby broke Kerry hearts with a late goal for Offaly in 1982 All Ireland Final. Barry Shanahan broke Castlegregory hearts with a last gasp goal in the final of U21 Club Championship Final. We were two points down and the game was into injury time when Barry struck. Graham O’Connell sent a probing ball into the Castlegregory parallelogram. Barry was the quickest to react and he volleyed the ball to the net. It was heartening to witness the victory celebrations after this dramatic win.
We started brightly and scored three points within six minutes. Graham O’Connell, Fiachna Mangan and Joey Kinsella were our early scorers. However, that was as good as it got during the first half. We failed to score again during this half. In fact we took 3 out of our 14 scoring chances in this half.
Defences were on top during this period. Alain Creagh was out standing at centre back and controlled play from that position. Both teams had good build up play but the final ball into the respective forward lines was poor. Castlegregory made a number of runs through the middle of the park and took long-range shots at goal but Seamus Bastible dealt with these comfortably. At this stage Castlegreory had not scored and it was nearing half time. We lost possession in mid-field and a speculative lob eluded players from both sides and dropped harmlessly into our goal.
At half time scores were tied at Stacks 0 -3 Castlegregory 1 -0.
The second half continued in the same vein. Scores were at a premium and defences continued to dominate. Castlegregory with JB Spillane and Stephen Browne beginning to control the play in centre and they seemed the more likely winners. However their forwards could not turn the possession into scores. In the second half they scored only four points and that inability to pull away from us was their downfall.
Our superior fitness began to tell, as the game entered the final minutes. Wayne Guthrie fielded some great catches and we began our fight back. David Mannix scored a point from a free. Graham O’Connell finished a good move from Wayne Guthrie and scored a fine point. Then Barry Shanahan was sent to full forward. Fiachna Mangan sent a ball into the square but Barry was adjudged to in there before the ball. Free out.
Then came the finale. Wayne caught a good ball in mid-field and passed to Graham, who sent a searching ball into the square. Barry was in the right position this time and volleyed the ball to the net. We were a point in front and time was up. What a finish.
The Castlegregory team were heartbroken and who could blame them. They had just come up short against a team who showed true grit and were determined to play to the final whistle.
Wayne Quillinan had the team prepared very well. Their level of fitness was superb. Owen Moynihan and Darragh Long ably assisted Wayne.
This win was badly needed. The future of the Club is in safe hands. If we can keep this team together and integrate them with the older players, we might challenge for Bishop Moynihan yet.
Well done to all, you did the Club proud.
Team; Seamus Bastible, Pa McCarthy, Barry Shanahan, John Dennis, Des Fitzgerald, Denis Costelloe, Alain Creagh, Wayne Guthrie Damien Quirke, Joey Kinsella, Denis McElligott, Graham O’Connell, Fiachna Managan Brian Mangan © & Shane Carroll.
Subs used David Mannix for Joey Kinsella & Sean Purcell for Brian Mangan
Subs, Jamie Kelly, Brian O’Sullivan, Anthony Shanahan, James Moore, Paul Barrett, Dale Counihan & Denis O’Neill .