Shane Guthrie’s extra-time goal seals win for Austin Stacks
Stacks struck early, in fact from the throw-in; a long ball from Conor Jordan was flicked to the net by Kieran Donaghy past the advancing Alan Kelly.
Thereafter, the Kerry “Star” was double marked by Mike Moloney and the outstanding Eoin Brosnan. Stacks were playing with the fresh wind, but Dr Crokes fought back to be level by the 16th minute following points from Daithí Casey (free), Jordan Kiely, Colm Cooper (two frees) to one in reply from Shane Carroll.
David Mannix pointed Stacks in front once more and then Donaghy was brought down in the square but Shane O’Callaghan’s penalty was well saved by Alan Kelly as Stacks led by 1-3 to 0-4 at the break.
With the wind to their backs, Dr Crokes had four points in quick succession on the restart from Colm Cooper (two frees), Kieran O’Leary and Daithí Casey (free), to go two clear and Stacks looked in trouble.
Stacks had a number of let-offs, especially when Jordan Kiely put Kieran O’Leary through and his shot came off the butt of the post to safety. Shane O’Callaghan pointed a free in response but when Cooper pointed a free at the three-quarter stage, Crokes were three clear.
Shane Carroll pointed a free and then had a fine score from distance before the same player fired over the equaliser from the right wing. Johnny Buckley, who was black-carded on the call of time for a foul on Donaghy, and Shane Carroll both had chances to win it for their respective sides but it finished 0-10 to 1-7 and so to extra time.
The score that decided the final came when a long ball from Conor Jordan, was allowed slip through a Crokes’ defender’s hands and Shane Guthrie finished to the net. Colm Cooper top scored with 0-8 (all frees).
Meanwhile, the biggest shock of the day was Glenbeigh/Glencar’s win over Kerins O’Rahilly’s by 2-12 to 2-9, thanks to a last-minute goal from Gavin O’Grady. It was the Mid Kerry side’s first win and though both sides were missing their Kerry players, Kerry junior star O’Grady scored all but 0-2 of his side’s total, while Jack Savage along with goalscorers Con Barrett and Kieran O’Mahony were best for O’Rahilly’s.
Dingle had a welcome home win over Legion, winning 2-11 to 2-6. Barry O’Sullivan had an early goal for Dingle, while Brian O’Connell got the second.
Legion had goals from Derek Twomey and Billy McGuire but they also missed a penalty. Both sides were without their county stars.
Milltown/Castlemaine had a crucial 1-11 to 1-9 win over struggling St Michaels/Foilmore and Waterville defeated Finuge 1-7 to 1-5. Kilcummin fought back to draw 0-9 apiece with Desmonds with Damien O’Leary inspirational for Kilcummin.
