Fossa sensationally beat Austin Stacks in Kerry IFC semi-final as David Clifford scores 0-13

Fossa keeper Shane O’Sullivan makes three penalty shoot-out saves in dramatic Killarney finale

‘The eyes have it…”: Fossa's David Clifford scores a great point despite the best effort of Austin Stacks' Dylan Casey, Paul O'Sullivan and Colm Browne in the Kerry IFC semi final in Killarney.

Kerry IFC semi-final: Austin Stacks 0-21 Fossa 0-21 (aet, Fossa wins 3-2 on pen)

FOSSA's fairytale progress continues in Kerry, this time a stunning upset of Austin Stacks in a Kerry IFC semi final decided on penalties. Stacks were Kerry senior champions in 2021 and have lifted the Bishop Moynihan trophy 13 times, but it's not every year they come up against a scoring machine like David Clifford, who kicked 0-13 for his team at Fitzgerald Stadium.

A crazy encounter saw the sides tied at 0-7 apiece at half-time as Fossa showed no fear of their more illustrious opponents. At one stage of the second half Fossa led by 0-14 to 0-10 and Stacks looked to be in major trouble. The introduction of Ferdia O’Brien gave the Tralee side a scoring outlet however as he hit 0-4 (3f) to salvage extra-time for the Tralee men. 

David Clifford’s ninth point in proceedings looked to have given Fossa a commanding position in injury time at 0-16 to 0-14 but Stacks managed to regain parity with a highly contentious free ay 0-16 each.

Stacks were closest to getting a crucial goal in the first period of extra-time but there was still no separating the sides at the change of ends at 0-19 apiece. Stacks needed substitute Jordan Kissane to keep them level when Paudie Clifford looked like he'd given Fossa the advantage. David Clifford scored the first point of the second extra period but a combination of O’Brien and Kissane looked like giving Stacks the win at the end until Clifford’s 13th point of proceedings meant penalties were needed.

TENSION: Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his Fossa mentors keeping a close eye on the action

Former Kerry FC goalkeeper Wayne Guthrie was brought in before the spot-kicks by Stacks but their opening spot-kick was saved by Shane O’Sullivan in the Fossa goal as Guthrie was left standing by David Clifford’s powerful strike to the top of the net. Even though Guthrie saved from Sam Buckley, O’Sullivan saved a second shot from Michael O’Donnell to keep them in the lead. Harry Kelly put Fossa on the brink before O’Sullivan saved a third penalty for himself from Greg Horan to advance to the final 3-2 after the penalties.

If it wasn't quite as dramatic in the other semi-final, it was still an upset as Milltown-Castlemaine proved too good for Legion, 1-13 to 1-10.

They trailed only once in proceedings as Eanna O’Connor’s accuracy (0-7, 5f, 1m, 1’45’) was a big factor in the Mid Kerry side coming out on top. Legion will regret some of the chances they missed but they struggled to cope with both Cillian Burke and Gavin Horan on the day.

A run of five successive points without reply during the first period was a big factor in Milltown/Castlemaine leading by 0-9 to 0-6 at the interval. A Cathal Moriarty goal in the 39th minute after a blistering run up the pitch by Burke in the build-up put them 1-9 to 0-7 in front. A penalised leg block offered Legion a way back into the match with Ryan O’Grady converting the penalty.

Despite struggling with injury James O’Donoghue did come in for the last 10 minutes for Legion but could only muster one point near the end. Legion lost Jonathon Lyne to a second yellow card in the 57th minute meaning they finished with 14 as Milltown knocked over two late points to give them enough breathing space to the final whistle.