Kerry County League round-up: Austin Stacks too strong for O’Rahilly’s in Tralee derby

Elsewhere Kenmare Shamrocks snatch a point at the death to deny Crokes

Austin Stacks continued to climb the Kerry Group County Senior Football League table with a win over rivals Kerins O’Rahilly’s. Pic: Don MacMonagle

Austin Stacks continued to climb the Kerry County Senior Football League table with a third straight win, this time beating their cross-town rivals Kerins O’Rahilly’s, 1-21 to 1-13.

Stacks are now up to third position on score difference, level on seven points with Glenflesk and Rathmore who have a game less played.

Just like Crokes, Stacks are missing their Kerry senior and U-20 players so this is a very healthy position for the Rockies to be at the halfway point, having lost two and drawn one of their first three games.

Kerins O’Rahilly’s in the post David Moran and Tommy Walsh are on six points but will need some wins in the second half of the league with Dingle and Crokes sure to improve once the U-20’s and some senior panellists return from Kerry.

The Strand Road side started the game well and raced into a 1-1 to 0-1 lead after four minutes. Conor Hayes scored a fine goal after receiving a pass from ex Kerry minor Nick Lacey.

Kerins O’Rahilly’s enjoyed a good first quarter but when Conor Horan put Stacks 0-6 to 1-2 ahead in 14th minute, they led for rest of game.

By half time Stacks led 0-10 to 1-5 and they were soon to take full control with the introduction of Shane O'Callaghan adding to their attacking threat.

It was O’Callaghan who scored Stacks’ crucial goal in 40th minute, pushing his side 1-11 to 1-6 clear.

Once again Strand Road were over reliant on last year’s Kerry U-20 Darragh O'Connor, who scored 0-12 (4tpf, 4f) while Gearoid Savage scored their only other point, which was a first-half free.

Stacks, on the other hand, had twelve different scorers with Ryan O'Driscoll (0-5) and Conor Horan 0-4 (2f) being their chief marksmen, although Horan spoiled some good work late when getting a red card from referee Evan Horan for some back chat.

It was a cracking derby well handled by Evan Horan, who is fast becoming one of the county’s top match officials.

Kenmare Shamrocks are still on top on their own as they secured a hard-earned draw against lowly Dr Crokes, 0-15 to 2-9.

It was nip and tuck early on with Donal O’Sullivan and David Grembowiec scoring for Kenmare Shamrocks but the precocious Cian McMahon, who is also a promising golfer, kicked some fine scores including a two pointer.

When Chris Doncel struck for a goal after a Cian Mulcahy assist, Crokes were 1-3 to 0-3 in front but by the 18th minute points from Kevin O’Sullivan and Grembowiec had the side’s level.

But Shamrocks kicked on approaching half time with a Donal O’Sullivan two pointer and one each from Kevin O’Sullivan and David Grembowiec saw Shamrocks lead 0-10 to 1-3 at the break.

A massive two pointer from Liam Randles just after the restart saw Crokes fight back and in the 38th minute Cian McMahon converted a penalty and suddenly they led by two (2-6 to 0-10).

Then Kerry U-20 reserve keeper Barry Fitzsimons converted a ’45 and Tommy Cronin from play had Shamrocks 0-14 to 2-6 in front.

Chris Doncel kicked Crokes last three points to see them one in front before Kevin O’Sullivan rescued a share of spoils for Kenmare Shamrocks.

Gneeveguilla earned two valuable points with a 1-13 to 0-13 win over bottom side Beaufort.

After early points from Cornelius Buckley and Paul O’Leary, Shane O’Sullivan’s goal from play midway through the opening half was the crucial score.

Gneeveguilla led 1-4 to 0-6 at half time with Fergal Hallissey, Kevin Coffey, Darragh Dennehy doing the bulk of the Beaufort scoring throughout.

Hallissey actually gave Beaufort a 0-9 to 1-5 lead midway through the second half but then 0-7 without reply with Con Buckley scoring 0-3 and Padraic Finnegan 0-2, saw Gneeveguilla make a decisive move before they repelled a late Beaufort fightback thanks to two Dennehy points and a two pointer from Hallissey as Gneeveguilla hung on.

Dingle beat Glenflesk on Friday night 3-17 to 0-19, having led 2-12 to 0-8 at half time with Barry Dan O’Sullivan getting another useful workout.

Legion and Kilcummin drew on 1-12 apiece and that point has Kilcummin in second place on their own on eight points.

Brendan Kealy appeared to have won the game with a two pointer in added time, but Legion levelled at the death.