Ruthless South Kerry make wasteful Austin Stacks pay dearly

South Kerry 2-10 Austin Stacks 0-8: The sense of anticipation surrounding a first return of Kerry SFC fare to Connolly Park on Tralee’s Rock Street was punctured by a ruthless display from county champions South Kerry in Saturday’s 2nd round replay at the home of Austin Stacks.

Two goals from St Mary’s Seán Cournane were crucial for their timing as much as impact on the scoreboard. With the teams level 0-6 apiece, the opener came in first half stoppage time and the second eight minutes after the interval.

It had been tit for tat during the opening 30 minutes with Bryan Sheehan doing a great job in curbing the threat of Kieran Donaghy, both at midfield and when Donaghy moved to the edge of the South Kerry square. This proved a smart move by the South Kerry management when they lost Kerry full-back Mark Griffin in the warm-up. Rob Wharton played a major role after his last minute call up, ending up as a man of the match contender.