Dramatic and controversial ending as St Kieran's win Kerry minor title

There was confusion after Austin Stacks' Ben Murphy finished to the net late on but the goal did not count.

St Kieran's celebrate victory over Austin Stacks in the Kerry MFC final. Picturee: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD

Kerry MFC final: St Kieran’s 2-12 Austin Stack’s 1-13 

A brace of second half goals from Jack Joy saw St Kieran’s crowned Kerry minor champions for the first time since 2009 as the district dominance in the competition continued. 

The game had a dramatic conclusion when Gavin Casey floated in a forty five in the final seconds and Ronan Carroll caught the ball and his shot for a goal, that would have won the game, was saved by the St Kieran’s defence. As the ball came out, the referee blew the whistle just before Ben Murphy finished to the net. There was confusion but the goal did not count, and St Kieran's escaped to victory.

After a slow burner of a start, with both teams missing chances, the Rock Street youngsters drew first blood after Kerry minor Murphy was fouled after a swashbuckling run for goal. Carroll, another Kerry player, tapped over the resulting free in the eighth minute.

Stacks quickly moved three points clear before Kieran’s got their opening score in the 14th minute as Michael Horan fisted over from close range. As the opening quarter ended, the gap was reduced to a point before Horan levelled the tie in the 17th minute with a beautiful left footed point.

It was a nip and tuck contest between the two sides and Stacks ended the opening half the stronger. Caroll and a pair of O’Driscoll points late on had the Tralee side ahead 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval.

Whatever was said at the break, St Kieran’s came out of the traps the better in the early exchanges. Horan again fisted over from close range before Conor Cahill rattled the crossbar and quickest to react was Jack Joy, who palmed into the net to level matters once again.

Stacks again replied well to regain the lead but as the third quarter ended, Joy again found the net. Killian Dennehy with a powerful initial drive, slipped a pass to Horan and Horan passed across the face of goal for Joy to palm to the net.

Five points down with time running out, Stacks needed a goal. It soon arrived when a high ball was fielded by Ben Murphy and under pressure he passed to George Bastible to fire to the net.

Horan and O’Driscoll exchanged scores in the closing stages as Stacks needed a goal. With the final act of play Gavin Casey floated a 45 into the danger zone, the initial shot was blocked and right as Murphy looked to strike home the rebound, referee Evan Horan blew the full time whistle.

Scorers for Austin Stacks: R O’Driscoll (0-7, 5fs), C Bastible (0-3), J Diggin, G Casey (45), R Carroll (0-1 each) 

Scorers for St Kieran’s: J Joy (2-1), M Horan (0-6), K Dennehy (0-2f), C Cahill, G Costello, G Coughlan (0-1 each)

AUSTIN STACKS: O Lata; E Mangan, M Maaszorak, A Horgan; F Ryan, G Casey, D Lyons; A Tuohy, B Murphy; R Lynch, R Carroll, B Litchfield; J Diggin; R O’Driscoll, C Bastible.

Subs: A Johnston for J Diggin (40), J Moriarty for R Lynch (50) 

ST KIERAN’S: M Hickey; R O’Connor, E Joy, R Walsh Murphy; D Healy, E Moriarty, C Walsh; K Dennehy, M McKivergan; J Bell, G Coughlan, R Brosnan; C Cahill, J Joy, M Horan.

Subs: M Quirke for R Brosnan (30-HT blood), G Costello for J Bell (h/t), C O’Connell for C Cahill (49), P Reidy for R O’Connor (52), N Fitzgerald for D Healy (59) 

Referee: E Horan (Glenflesk)