Kerry boost as Walsh returns to action

Austin Stacks 1-14 Kerins O’Rahillys 1-9: Tralee Board SFC final: Former Younger Footballer of the Year, Tommy Walsh, made his competitive return to gaelic games at Austin Stack Park on Saturday night.

Walsh, who returned from a four year stint in the AFL before Christmas, lined out at midfield for Kerins O’Rahillys alongside brother Seán in the Tralee District Board SFC final against Austin Stacks.

Stacks, with their side, preparing for the All-Ireland Club semi final in three weeks, had the edge in fitness and raced 1-5 to 0-00 ahead after 15 minutes.

Points from Jack Savage, Tommy and Sean Walsh and a Barry J Keane free closed the gap, with Darragh O’Brien goal helping Stacks to a 1-7 to 0-5 interval lead.

Stacks controlled the second half with a late Keane goal small consolation for the losers.

Scorers for Austin Stacks: D Mannix 0-4, D O Brien 1-0, S Carroll 0-3 (0-2 frees), G Horan and S O Callaghan 0-2 each, D McElligott, W Guthrie and P McCarthy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kerins O’Rahillys: B J Keane 1-4 (0-3 frees), T Walsh, S Walsh, D McLoughlin, J Savage and D Quill 0-1 each.

AUSTIN STACKS: D O’Brien, F McNamara, B Shanahan, J Dennis, P McCarthy, C Jordan, D McElligott, W Guthrie, G Horan, M Collins, S Carroll, D Mannix, Darragh O Brien, K Donaghy, S O Callaghan: Subs: W Kirby for W Guthrie, S Ryan for D McElligott, D Collins for M Collins, F Mangan for D Mannix, W Guthrie for S Carroll (inj).

KERINS O’RAHILLYS: G Kissane, D Murphy, R O Shea, T Begley, R O Callaghan, A Thompson, M Donnelly, T Walsh, S Walsh, J Savage, D McLoughlin, K Walshe, G O Connell, C Barrett, B J Keane. Subs: J O Connor for C Barrett, G O Grady for G O Connell, M Tierney for A Thompson, C Sayers for M Donnelly, J Ferguson for D McLoughlin, D Quill for T Walsh (53).

Referee: J O Sullivan (Firies)