Donaghy delivers for Stacks
Donaghy, ably assisted by William Kirby, created a solid midfield platform for Stacks, with Darragh Long and Michael Collins reaping the rewards for their efforts up front.
Another county man, Michael Frank Russell, opened the Laune Rangers account with a pointed free.
Moments later, Liam Hassett’s high lob was fisted to the net by wing back John Sheehan and the Killorglin men were four points clear.
Stacks began to settle with points from Collins and Long, before Wayne Quillinan crashed home a goal after a Denis Sayers’ effort rebounded off the crossbar.
Again it was the county men past and present who dominated affairs — Donaghy and Kirby for Stacks; Hassett and Russell for Rangers. But with Collins rampant, it was Stacks who enjoyed a two-point interval lead at 1-6 to 1-4.
Within a minute Tom McGillicuddy had narrowed the gap to the minimum but then disaster struck for Rangers ‘keeper Tony Lyons. His error allowed Denis Sayers an easy finish for Stacks’ second goal.
Hassett and Russell again cut into the lead with points, but Stacks kept their noses in front.
Even when Pa O’Sullivan fired a stunning effort to the back of the net, cutting the gap to two points, Stacks maintained their composure, Graham O’Connell doubling their advantage with two pointed frees.
In the weekend’s other game, Kerins O’Rahilly’s never hit top gear when overcoming John Mitchel’s (1-13 to 0-6) in a disappointing first-round replay at Austin Stack Park. The Tralee derby produced an extra-time thriller last weekend but there were no such dramatics here as Mitchels failed to reproduce their heroics.
O’Rahillys, with Michael Quirke a major factor in midfield, began to play direct ball into their full-forward line. It reaped rewards in the 15th minute, when a high ball was broken down by Declan Quill to Mark Fitzgerald. He slipped the ball through to Tommy Walsh for a well-worked goal.
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