Late Cathal O’Beaglaoich secures share of the spoils for Austin Stacks against 14-man An Ghaeltacht

LATE EQUALISER: A late Cathal O’Beaglaoich point in stoppage time saw it finish honours even between Austin Stacks and An Ghaeltacht in a physical game in Connolly Park. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Kerry Petroleum IFC Group A: Austin Stacks 0-8 An Ghaeltacht 0-8

A late Cathal O’Beaglaoich point in stoppage time saw it finish honours even between Austin Stacks and An Ghaeltacht in a physical game in Connolly Park. A first point of the Kerry Intermediate Championship for the West Kerry side as they finished with 14 men as Brian O’Beaglaoich was shown a second yellow card for an altercation early in that stoppage time period.

Stacks had the chance to win the tie but will be unhappy with the point and must now hope that John Mitchels will do them a favour by getting something from their meeting with Glenbeigh-Glencar tie on Sunday. After some early wides it was the visitors that opened the scoring after four minutes with Tomas Ó Sé dissecting the posts. Cian Purcell claimed a super mark less than a minute later and no mistakes from the Stacks man leveled the tie.

A brace of Paddy Lane frees had the home side ahead by two as the opening quarter ended, a cagey opening half with both defences forcing a lot of slow possession based football. Dara Ó Sé kicked the next three scorers however, a big momentum boost for An Ghaeltacht as they led 0-4 to 0-3 in the 25th minute. Lane had a goal chance that fizzed wide of the left post but Conor Horan would tie the game again before the break.

Plenty to ponder at the interval for Austin Stacks and they almost raised the green flag after seven minutes. Referee Tom Corbett awarded a penalty after Lane collided with An Ghaeltacht keeper Sean O’Luing, but Greg Horan stepped up but O’Luing went high and saved the spot kick.

Down the other end Ruairi O’Beaglaoich grabbed the next score in what was a big boost for the visitors. Lane and Kirby soon swung the advantage back for Stack's, however another Dara Ó Sé free leveled the tie again at the third quarter mark. Two more key scores of the boot of Lane gave the Connolly Park faithful the lead in the closing minutes, 0-8 to 0-7 as Ó Sé kept the West Kerry men within striking distance.

With the clock in the red, it was do or die for An Ghaeltacht, and their colossal midfielder Cathal O’Beaglaoich found the black spot from range to level the tie it was a dramatic conclusion. Dara Ó Sé came close to grabbing a winner for An Ghaeltacht while Stack’s too almost escaped to victory after Colm Browne had an effort at goal just drift left and wide. 

But a draw fair after a game that at times was far too physical and a couple of players were lucky not to have departed the scene before the final whistle.

Scorers for Austin Stacks: P Lane 0-5 (4fs), C Purcell (M), C Horan, D Kirby 0-1 each 

Scorers for An Ghaeltacht: D O’Sé 0-5 (4fs), T O’Sé, R O’Beaglaoich, C O’Beaglaoich 0-1 each 

AUSTIN STACKS: M Tansley; C Griffin, J Morgan, J Nagle; A Heinrich, D Casey, R Shanahan; B Shanahan, J O’Connor; M O’Donnell, F Mangan, C Horan; P Lane, G Horan, C Purcell.

Subs: D Kirby for C Horan (20), F O’Brien for M O’Donnell (42), and J Kissane for C Purcell (48), C Browne for R Shanahan (49), P O’Sullivan for B Shanahan (51).

AN GHAELTACHT: S O’Luing; F O’Cuanaigh, PP Sauerland, R O’Beaglaoich; P Ó Sé, B O’Beaglaoich, S O’Conchuir; C O’Beaglaoich, F Sauerland; S O’Loinsigh, D O’Sé, R O’Beaglaoich, O Ó Sé, C O’Riagain, T O’Sé (DC).

Subs: C O’Murchu for PP Sauerland (h/t), B O’Bruic for R O’Beaglaoich (37), JJ MacLinn for S O’Loinsigh (48), T O’Sé (BB) for O Ó Sé (49), C O’Corduibh for C O’Riagain (59) 

Referee: T Corbett (Milltown/Castlemaine)