Brian Stack’s defensive prowess at the heart of St Brigid’s success

Stack was immense as St Brigid’s overpowered Corofin to secure the McGettigan Cup and a spot in the All-Ireland semi-final. He contained Gary Sice, Corofin’s leading forward this year, limiting him to a point from play while clipping a score himself.

Brian Derwin leaps onto Seán Trundle's shoulders while other St. Brigid's players converge.

In the middle of Dr Hyde Park as his team embraced all around him, Jerome Stack was lobbed the sort of softball reserved for final-winning managers. A Chance to give praise. Brian Stack, discuss: His answer duly delivered. The defender is quality. All-Star quality.

The Kerry native was measured and considerate. “Look, you can only give out so many All-Stars in the year and I absolutely understand that and how far your team goes in the championship,” he accepted, “but Brian Stack is an immense footballer.” Consider his case and Stack’s intercounty championship: Ryan O’Donoghue (scoreless from play), Shane Walsh (scoreless from play), Con O’Callaghan (0-2), Niall Murphy (0-1 from play), Darragh Kirwan (0-1 mark), Stephen Sherlock (0-2 from play). Every single day he was given a thankless task and sent to the opposition’s danger man. Every day he delivered.