Kerry SFL: 12-man Kerins O'Rahillys beat Crokes as Stacks move two clear at top

There were also wins for Killarney Legion, Beaufort, Ballymac, and Kilcummin.

Kerins O'Rahillys had a 1-14 to 1-13 victory over Dr Crokes. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Last season when both Austin Stacks and Glenbeigh/Glencar were plying their trade in division two, the Mid Kerry team were one of the very few sides to lower the Stacks colours, when they beat them at home. Fast forward to 2025 with both promoted and it was a complete reversal with Stacks as they put Glenbeigh/Glencar to the sword, winning on a 3-23 to 0-7 scoreline. 

To fair it was a much changed Glenbeigh side but Stacks had the points in the bag by half-time, leading 2-8 to 0-2 thanks to a sixth minute goal by Gearoid Fitzgerald goal and another from the outstanding Shane O’Callaghan in the 28th. Fitzgerald (2), O’Callaghan (2), Colin Griffin (2) and Paul O’Sullivan and Colm Browne with one point each completed Stacks' first half haul.

When Conor Myers added a 35th minute goal, the winning margin was the only question that remained as Darragh Long ran his bench. Stacks sit on top of the table on nine points. In fact, with both Rathmore and Dr Crokes losing, it is Killarney Legion who move alone into second place on seven points.

Legion picked up their third victory of the league campaign, comfortably beating Glenflesk 3-16 to 0-17. A feature of the game was the competitive debut of Oisin Fleming who struck for two goals, the ongoing good form of Ryan O'Grady and when you add in David O'Sullivan, the inside line contributed 3-10 to their side's total with Ryan O’Grady top scoring with 1-5.

Kerins O’Rahilly’s caused a major upset in beating Dr Crokes 1-14 to 1-13 despite finishing with only 12 players. Crokes led 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time thanks to David Shaw and Billy Courtney in the main. 

O’Rahilly’s replied through Conor Hayes, Jack Savage and Ryan Carroll. David Shaw extended Crokes lead early in the second half but the Tralee side began their fight back with a Darragh O’Connor point and Barry John Keane two-pointer. Crokes then were awarded a penalty which Alex Hennigan converted and Crokes looked to have momentum on their side. But the visitors responded with two pointers from Ryan Carroll and Tom Hoare and suddenly it was game on at 1-9 to 0-11. 

Then Daniel Bowler fired to the Crokes net and suddenly Kerins O’Rahillys were three in front. But three second yellows saw Gearoid Savage, Conor Hayes and Jack Savage exit the game and it was a case of the 12 men hanging on as Crokes threw everything at their opponents. 

A David Shaw one pointer and a Billy Courtney two followed by an Alex Hennigan one saw Crokes retake the lead by a point and with extra men. But credit to O’Rahilly’s as Darragh O’Connor kicked a two-pointer from a free awarded when a Crokes player prevented a solo and go and somehow as Crokes wasted two excellent chances of at least leveling the contest. O’Rahilly’s hung on for victory.

The Mid Kerry derby in Beaufort saw the home side pick up what could prove to be a crucial two points for them in the final standing as they overcame a poor first quarter where they trailed by 0-5 to 0-2 after 17 minutes to win by 1-17 to 1-15 over Laune Rangers in the end. Kerry's third choice goalkeeper Sean Coffey was behind the posts for Beaufort but came outfield frequently when he side had the breeze in the first-half before playing a more orthodox role in the second-half, one that required him to make a few saves.

Amazingly all eight of Beaufort's first-half points came from two-pointers as both Liam Carey and Stephen Gannon (Laune Rangers) traded goals with the hosts leading by 1-8 to 1-7 at half-time. Although Laune Rangers drew level at the start of the second-half through Gannon, Beaufort never surrendered the lead once they went back in front.

Gannon finished with 1-7 for the Killorglin side in defeat while Fergal Hallissey scored 0-8 (2tpf, 2f) and Carey 1-4 for Beaufort. Both sides play Kerins O'Rahillys next, Beaufort in a back game against them next weekend while Laune Rangers face them in Round 5 in two weeks time.

Ballymacelligott earned a valuable two points with an away win over Spa, winning 5-10 to 2-16 in a high scoring game. Ballymac led 2-7 to 0-8 at half time thanks to two Niall Collins goals. But two goals from Donal Daly and a penalty from Jack Joy, saw Ballymac hang on to win despite Spa goals from Joey McCarthy and Conor Stack.

Kilcummin now join the logjam on four points with their first win beating Rathmore 1-21 to 3-9.