Donaghy missing but Stacks’ other stars power past Spa

Austin Stacks, without Kieran Donaghy, overpowered Spa in a Kerry SFL Division One mismatch (5-9 to 0-7) at windswept Connolly Park yesterday.

A devastating display from in-form Kerry U21 panellist Darragh O’Brien, who scored a stunning 3-2, was the main talking point as Stacks joined Dingle at the top of the table.

With Paul O’Donoghue and Wayne Guthrie dominating midfield exchanges, Stacks got off to a dream start when Paul O’Donoghue finished to the net inside the opening minute and a second goal in first-half injury-time from O’Brien after a move involving David Mannix and Darragh Long, helped the Rockies to a 2-7 to 0-2 half-time lead.

Not even the aid of a strong wind could assist shell-shocked Spa in the second half and goals from Mannix and a O’Brien brace, saw Stacks move to joint top with Dingle, who beat Dr Crokes (1-12 to 0-10).

Kerins O’Rahillys, thanks to the midfield dominance of ex-Kerry senior Mike Quirke and some inspired play by Brian Moran, beat pointless Laune Rangers 2-12 to 2-6, thanks to two first quarter Kieran O’Mahony goals and some excellent free-taking by veteran Declan Quill.

Rathmore recovered from last week’s club final defeat to Crokes with a big win over Milltown/Castlemaine, winning 2-16 to 0-4. Tom O’Sullivan and Conor O’Sullivan excelled at the back while the Reen brothers and Mike O’Riordan got the vital scores.

Legion moved off the bottom with a 3-8 to 1-6 win over pointless Ardfert with sub Tomas Moriarty scoring two second half goals.

Another cracker from centre back Padraig O’Connor, ensured Legion with David O’Sullivan, Padraig Lucey and Danny Sheahan in superb form, got their first victory.