SENIOR FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 1-12; Ardfert 1-12.
The spoils were shared in the opening game of this season’s Co. League played in ideal conditions in Connolly Park last Sunday afternoon (27th March).
It took us awhile to settle by which time Ardfert had raced into a three points lead by the 7th minute.
Our opeing score came two minutes later when Fiachna Mangan placed Darragh Long who pointed.
Two minutes later Kieran Donaghy was fouled and Graham O’Connell pointed the resultant free.
In the 14th minute Pogga McCannon’s rasper was well saved by the Ardfert keeper. Then two minutes later Graham sent over the equalising point from a free following a foul on Darragh Long.
However Ardfert regained the initiative in a two minute spell between the 18th and 20th minutes scoring 1-2.
A foul on Darragh Long saw Darragh himself convert the free but the opposition countered with another from play.
We finished the half the stronger, putting over two points from play by Shane Carroll and Graham O’Connell to leave the visitors ahead by that goal at the break (1-6 to 0-6).
We showed away more urgency straight from the restart with Shane Carroll pointing after 32 seconds. Then inside the 33rd minute it was Shane again who sent in a high ball which was fetched beautifully by Kieran Donaghy and Star burst through for a great goal to put us in the lead (1-7 to 1-6) for the first time in the game.
However, as in the first half Ardfert responded well and between the 37th and 43rd minutes banged over four points to restore their thrree points half time lead. A point each by Daniel Bohan and Star in the 44th and 45th minutes reduced the deficit and a minute later Darragh Long was unlucky to see his shot for goal come off the bar.
Ardfert pointed again in the 47th minute to put them two clear.
The last ten minutes plus four of added time was played in a welter of excitement. Points by Star, Shane Carroll and Graham (free) saw our lead restored by the 59th minute (1-12 to 1-11) but on the stroke of the 64th minute Ardfert got through to equalise from a free and the points were shared.
Team: Martin Moriarty, Denis McElligott, Barry Shanahan, Fearghal MacNamara, Paul Barrett, Alain Creagh, Daniel Bohan (0-1), Wayne Gutherie, Gearoid McCann, Shane Carroll (0-3), Fiachna Mangan, Padraig McCannon (Capt), Graham O’Connell (0-4 – 3 frees), Kieran Donaghy (1-2), Darragh Long (0-2 – 1 free).
Subs: TJ Hogan (ht), Michael Collins (38m), Pa McCarthy (42m), Shane O’Callaghan (56m).