Austin Stacks boss Quillinan: My heart is absolutely broken. I can't say it clearer than that'

Famed Tralee men from Rock Street relegated to intermediate grade for 2023 by Kerry's unforgiving senior club competition structure

DISTRAUGHT: Austin Stacks boss Wayne Quillinan.

An emotional Austin Stacks manager Wayne Quillinan admitted his "heart was absolutely broken" after the famed Tralee side were relegated from the senior grade in dramatic circumstances at Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday.

The 'Rock' were downed by Sean O'Shea's Kenmare Shamrocks 3-11 to 1-15 and will play their football in the intermediate grade for the first time in the club's illustrious history. It will again bring into sharp focus Kerry's unforgiving senior club competition as last year's county champions were only defeated in the quarter-final of the blue riband county championship.