Austin Stacks one step from senior return in Kerry, but Glenbeigh/Glencar push them all the way

Austin Stacks overcame a brave and spirited effort from Glenbeigh/Glencar, but not without some nervous moments

ONE MORE STSEP: Jack Brosnan of Glenbeigh/Glencar claims the high ball over Armin Heinrich of Austin Stacks during the Kerry IHC semi-final. Picture: Don MacMonagle

Kerry Petroleum IFC semi-final: Austin Stacks 0-14 Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-7 

While by no means convincing, Austin Stacks will be satisfied to be a step closer to securing their return to senior football in Kerry as they booked their place in the Kerry IFC final against Laune Rangers on Sunday. 

Stacks overcame a brave and spirited effort from Glenbeigh/Glencar, but not without some nervous moments. Though in the end but their opponents lacked the firepower to seriously trouble the 2021 Kerry senior champions.

With a number of Armagh’s All-Ireland winning team watching on, Stacks had the benefit of the breeze in the first period, but Glenbeigh/Glencar were resolute in keeping the gap to only four points at half-time. 

Stacks had raced into a three-point lead after five minutes with Paddy Lane putting over two of those, but from there their Mid Kerry opposition could be happy in general with their first-half efforts.

Gavan O’Grady put over their first score from a free in the eighth minute. Joe O’Connor put over a good long range effort and there was little difference between the sides. Pa Kilkenny was playing through the pain for Glenbeigh/Glencar. Cian Purcell pointed in the 25th minute for Stacks to put them 0-6 to 0-2 ahead but when Jack Brosnan put a great ball through to Darran O’Sullivan three minutes later the former All-Ireland winning Kerry captain was caught in two minds and blasting over the bar.

A third Donagh McKivergan point was the last first-half score as the Tralee side were 0-7 to 0-3 ahead at the break. 

Stacks had to begin the second-half with 14 players following a black card for their defender Colin Griffin towards the end of the first half. It looked like Glenbeigh/Glencar weren’t making use of their numerical advantage but a brilliant high ball by Colin McGillicuddy in the 37th minute led to a goalscoring chance for O’Grady who sent a nice low shot into the net to level the match at 1-4 to 0-7.

Stacks din’t panic as Glenbeigh/Glencar went 17 minutes without a score. Five straight points had the Tralee side seemingly back in control. Dylan Casey made it 0-12 to 1-4 after 53 minutes. 

It wasn't over. Glenbeigh/Glencar hit three straight points to bring it back to two with Stacks needing a free from Lane and a second from Casey to secure the win.

Darran O’Sullivan was shown a red card late on for Glenbeigh/Glencar but they could be proud of their efforts in keeping Stacks on their toes until the end.

Scorers for Austin Stacks: P Lane (0-4, 2f), D McKivergan (0-3), C Purcell and D Casey (0-2 each), J O’Connor, J O’Shea and J Nagle (0-1 each) 

Scorers for Glenbeigh/Glencar: G O’Grady (1-3, 3f), C Teahan (1f), D O’Sullivan, J Brosnan and A O’Connor (0-1 each) 

AUSTIN STACKS: M Tansley; C Griffin, D Casey, J Nagle; A Heinrich, A Curran, P O’Sullivan; B Shanahan, J O’Connor; D McKivergan, F Mangan, D Kirby; P Lane, G Horan, C Purcell 

Subs: M O’Donnell for B Shanahan (43), J O’Shea for A Curran (44), S O’Callaghan for C Purcell (53), B O’Sullivan for D McKivergan (59), D O’Brien for D Kirby (60 +3) 

GLENBEIGH/GLENCAR: C Knight; O O’Connor, T Quirke, C Doyle; ST Sheahan, L Roche, A Roche; C McGillycuddy, L Smith; D O’Sullivan, P Kilkenny, J Brosnan; C Teahan, G O’Grady, R O’Donovan 

Subs: C Purcell for O O’Connor (39), A O’Connor for A Roche, K O’Sullivan for R O’Donovan (both 49)

Referee: E Horan (Glenflesk)