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Post by sidelined on Oct 31, 2014 13:42:55 GMT
so actionman didnt have last word after all, second black card on just one page. seems severe. probably c.c.c.c. will have to deal with it. im more curious now as to what incident never happen during the drawn game!
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Post by actionman on Nov 1, 2014 0:03:59 GMT
so actionman didnt have last word after all, second black card on just one page. seems severe. probably c.c.c.c. will have to deal with it. im more curious now as to what incident never happen during the drawn game! Didn't realise I got another slap on the wrist, I know the truth hurts sometimes but come on!!!!
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Post by da Legionnaire on Nov 1, 2014 12:08:42 GMT
Examiner today
KERRY SFC REPLAY: Austin Stacks v Mid Kerry "Sick to the back teeth of Crokes".
Austin Stacks chairman Aidan O’Connor puts no finer a point on why the players are extremely motivated to deprive the Killarney club a Munster spot by winning tomorrow’s Kerry final replay against Mid Kerry.
Having lost year’s final to Dr Crokes by 16 points and the 2010 decider by seven, the last thing the Rockies want now is to surrender provincial representation to their Killarney rivals by losing a third final in five seasons.
“Oh my God, it’s so important for that reason for the Stacks to win this,” says O’Connor of the Dr Crokes factor.
“Should the Stacks not do it, it would open the gates for the Crokes by virtue of the fact they won the club championship. It’s of the utmost importance that Stacks win this game to represent Kerry. It’s a huge drive to the squad to get them over the line. They’re certainly sick to the back teeth of the Crokes being so dominant. We’ve beaten South Kerry twice in the previous four years but have twice been beaten by Crokes.”
That they could deny Dr Crokes across from their club grounds in Lewis Road is added incentive. “Wouldn’t it be the icing on the cake?” says O’Connor. “The players would nearly prefer to play it in Killarney because of the space that is there.”
The club will bring 12 busloads of supporters to Fitzgerald Stadium free of charge as their famous brigade of followers once more hope to make their presence felt. But O’Connor is unhappy with the decision by the county board’s competitions control committee to fix the game for Killarney. Prior to the first match in Austin Stack Park, he made his feelings known then about the county final venue.
“It’s just a pleasure that we are at last playing the county final in Tralee, which should always be in Tralee.”
He is adamant no other stadium is as suitable for a county final as Austin Stack Park.
“You would have to be disappointed it’s not in Tralee. I suppose when you look at Killarney, there might be 80% of the stadium that will be empty on Sunday. You lose the atmosphere whereas in Tralee the crowd are on top of the pitch and the atmosphere is incredible.
“The way it’s panning out, Sunday will be just as tight as it was last Sunday. You can’t see any team walking away with it. It’s going down to the death and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s extra-time.
“Our fans will be out in force again. One would have to say the atmosphere our fans create is just phenomenal. They brought the town to a standstill last week. People were coming out of their homes and watching from their doorsteps to look at the parade passing, but it was all done in an orderly fashion.
Aside from bridging a 20-year gap to their last county success, the other incentive for Stacks is providing Kieran Donaghy with the Kerry captaincy. O’Connor makes no attempt to hide his bias.
“He’s the most in-form man in the country at the moment never mind at club level.
“He brings a lot of fear with him right now. A team such as Mid Kerry is showing a lot of respect to him.
“He’s a very dedicated footballer and deserves what he’s getting out of it at the moment.
“From a very young man to where he is today, he’s always been obsessed. I remember the times when you wouldn’t see him in anything but basketball shoes or boots. If he wasn’t on a court, he’d be on a pitch.
“We’re very lucky to have him and I think Kerry would be privileged to have him as captain.
“You look at how he’s made so many young players welcome and become their best friend to ensure they’re as comfortable as possible. Kerry will benefit with him as captain. That’s why it’s vitally important that we win the replay. It’s a 15-man game and he’s just one of them but he has been brilliant for us and it would be a fitting tribute.”
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Post by townend on Nov 1, 2014 12:43:46 GMT
i have a feeling that Stacks might have missed the boat last sunday, i think mid kerry won't be as poor as last sunday.
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Post by kerrygold on Nov 1, 2014 13:04:17 GMT
Examiner today KERRY SFC REPLAY: Austin Stacks v Mid Kerry "Sick to the back teeth of Crokes". Austin Stacks chairman Aidan O’Connor puts no finer a point on why the players are extremely motivated to deprive the Killarney club a Munster spot by winning tomorrow’s Kerry final replay against Mid Kerry. Having lost year’s final to Dr Crokes by 16 points and the 2010 decider by seven, the last thing the Rockies want now is to surrender provincial representation to their Killarney rivals by losing a third final in five seasons. “Oh my God, it’s so important for that reason for the Stacks to win this,” says O’Connor of the Dr Crokes factor. “Should the Stacks not do it, it would open the gates for the Crokes by virtue of the fact they won the club championship. It’s of the utmost importance that Stacks win this game to represent Kerry. It’s a huge drive to the squad to get them over the line. They’re certainly sick to the back teeth of the Crokes being so dominant. We’ve beaten South Kerry twice in the previous four years but have twice been beaten by Crokes.” That they could deny Dr Crokes across from their club grounds in Lewis Road is added incentive. “Wouldn’t it be the icing on the cake?” says O’Connor. “The players would nearly prefer to play it in Killarney because of the space that is there.” The club will bring 12 busloads of supporters to Fitzgerald Stadium free of charge as their famous brigade of followers once more hope to make their presence felt. But O’Connor is unhappy with the decision by the county board’s competitions control committee to fix the game for Killarney. Prior to the first match in Austin Stack Park, he made his feelings known then about the county final venue. “It’s just a pleasure that we are at last playing the county final in Tralee, which should always be in Tralee.” He is adamant no other stadium is as suitable for a county final as Austin Stack Park. “You would have to be disappointed it’s not in Tralee. I suppose when you look at Killarney, there might be 80% of the stadium that will be empty on Sunday. You lose the atmosphere whereas in Tralee the crowd are on top of the pitch and the atmosphere is incredible. “The way it’s panning out, Sunday will be just as tight as it was last Sunday. You can’t see any team walking away with it. It’s going down to the death and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s extra-time. “Our fans will be out in force again. One would have to say the atmosphere our fans create is just phenomenal. They brought the town to a standstill last week. People were coming out of their homes and watching from their doorsteps to look at the parade passing, but it was all done in an orderly fashion. Aside from bridging a 20-year gap to their last county success, the other incentive for Stacks is providing Kieran Donaghy with the Kerry captaincy. O’Connor makes no attempt to hide his bias. “He’s the most in-form man in the country at the moment never mind at club level. “He brings a lot of fear with him right now. A team such as Mid Kerry is showing a lot of respect to him. “He’s a very dedicated footballer and deserves what he’s getting out of it at the moment. “From a very young man to where he is today, he’s always been obsessed. I remember the times when you wouldn’t see him in anything but basketball shoes or boots. If he wasn’t on a court, he’d be on a pitch. “We’re very lucky to have him and I think Kerry would be privileged to have him as captain. “You look at how he’s made so many young players welcome and become their best friend to ensure they’re as comfortable as possible. Kerry will benefit with him as captain. That’s why it’s vitally important that we win the replay. It’s a 15-man game and he’s just one of them but he has been brilliant for us and it would be a fitting tribute.” Good example of cutting a rod to beat yourself with..............
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Post by 6 in a row on Nov 1, 2014 19:08:58 GMT
Very silly for him to say them things. Talk about getting ahead of himself. Jesus we shouldn't turn up at all tomorrow as he thinks they have it won. That could be the Rock he will perish on!
Mid kerry by 2 pts
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G_S_J
Senior Member
With greatness already assured, history now awaits.
Posts: 647
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Post by G_S_J on Nov 1, 2014 19:34:44 GMT
Very silly for him to say them things. Talk about getting ahead of himself. Jesus we shouldn't turn up at all tomorrow as he thinks they have it won. That could be the Rock he will perish on! Mid kerry by 2 pts He said the game would be tight, don't know what you saw there to say he was getting ahead of himself.
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Post by 6 in a row on Nov 1, 2014 19:52:44 GMT
Kieran being captain in 2015?
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G_S_J
Senior Member
With greatness already assured, history now awaits.
Posts: 647
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Post by G_S_J on Nov 1, 2014 22:12:58 GMT
Kieran being captain in 2015? He was asked the question, he basically said Donaghy would be a great captain, nothing wrong with that. Donaghy himself has been asked about the captaincy the last few weeks and said he'd love to be captain, again, I don't see the problem with talking about it.
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fivenarow
Senior Member
If it aint broken, then dont fix it!
Posts: 924
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Post by fivenarow on Nov 2, 2014 11:10:04 GMT
i have a feeling that Stacks might have missed the boat last sunday, i think mid kerry won't be as poor as last sunday. I tend to agree, I also think that any level of fear factor that mid kerry may have had should be well put to bed after the last day. I also think that Killarney will suit mid kerry better than Tralee plus they seemed to be the fitter side - if the stacks set up the same way as the last day then I think theyre in trouble - mid kerry probably have the better balanced team. Mid kerry for me by 3 -4 points.
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Post by riverfeale on Nov 2, 2014 15:20:50 GMT
Half Time in final replay Austin Stacks 2 - 7 Mid Kerry. 0 - 3
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Post by ruralgaa on Nov 2, 2014 15:24:03 GMT
Does Radio Kerry keep crashing online on people? Or on your phones?
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seamo
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Posts: 2,016
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Post by seamo on Nov 2, 2014 15:27:49 GMT
Does Radio Kerry keep crashing online on people? Or on your phones? Yeap
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Post by Chinatown on Nov 2, 2014 15:40:05 GMT
Seems to be ok for me, using Tunein app on iphone
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Post by ddtinexile on Nov 2, 2014 15:46:22 GMT
Crashing continuously. On iPad ....error establishing database connection .....whatever that means. Amazing could hear it load and clear in Gran Canaria last Sunday. ?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2014 16:44:30 GMT
Congrats to the Stacks,great win,looking forward to seening how they do in Munster.
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Post by glengael on Nov 2, 2014 17:21:58 GMT
i have a feeling that Stacks might have missed the boat last sunday, i think mid kerry won't be as poor as last sunday. The reverse happened! Stacks won the game in the first 15 mins. Mid-Kerry were very poor. Congrats to Stacks, a long wait for them is over. It will be interesting to see how they fare after this. They weren't tested at all today. On a side note I see Kilcummin won v Currow in the playoff.
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Post by Deise Exile on Nov 2, 2014 18:53:59 GMT
Well done Rockies. Back where ye belong. What a dream year for all on the street of champions
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G_S_J
Senior Member
With greatness already assured, history now awaits.
Posts: 647
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Post by G_S_J on Nov 2, 2014 19:43:35 GMT
Well no one seen that coming, they'll enjoy tonight, but I hope Stacks try and focus in the Munster prize as soon as possible, with Donaghy playing the way he is and their rate of improvement anything is possible. Well done to the Stacks, from a fella from the other side of the tracks. Big night in Connolly Park now!
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Post by kerrygold on Nov 2, 2014 19:58:08 GMT
Congrats and well done to the Rockies, good to see them back at the top table in Kerry. Today's win was very comprehensive and they should have a big say in the Munster championship. They have come on a ton under Stephen Stacks in two years. Looking forward to seeing Kieran captaining Kerry in 2015.
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fivenarow
Senior Member
If it aint broken, then dont fix it!
Posts: 924
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Post by fivenarow on Nov 2, 2014 20:38:11 GMT
Well I got that one wrong anyway. Stacks were well worth their win, mid kerry never showed up & were a shadow of the team that we saw in the second half last week. You'd have to give credit to the stacks selectors, all of the changes they made paid dividends but I think the Conor Jordan one was injury related. Stacks came out of the blocks like a team with a point to prove, which is what I thought that mid kerry would do & the game was virtually all over in 15 mins when they got their second goal. Kieran donaghy caused all sorts of problems at the edge of the square again & I think the selectors learnt their lesson the last day & left him inside more often today, on current form he's unmarkable at full forward. Stacks were good all over the pitch & mid Kerrs only threat in the forwards came from Liam Carey & gavan o Grady - both donnacha & Darren who seemed to be carrying an injury were quiet. On a separate issue someone would want to tell pa Kilkenny to concentrate on his football & cut out the macho man stuff & take a leaf out of Aidan o mahonys book, cut it out & you'll play better football.
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Post by gamechanger10 on Nov 2, 2014 20:45:22 GMT
Well done to the entire team and management. Mid Kerry did not do themselves justice and had one of those days that befall almost every team at some point, everything went wrong. Not to draw a kick when someone is down but leaving Donaghy one on one was a very naive tactical decision. The inter county players for mid Kerry never sparkled while Bohane, O Callaghan and Donaghy did serious damage. Kieran well be a great captain and will sit well with all involved in the Kerry setup. Comhghairdeas
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Post by veteran on Nov 2, 2014 20:48:44 GMT
Austin Stacks 2-13 Mid Kerry 1-7 HT 2-7 0-3
Austin Stacks accelerated out of the blocks like a whirlwind. Dressed like wasps and whirling like dervishes they rumbled Mid Kerry before they had time to stretch their legs. Through carelessness or arrogance Mid Kerry management assigned just one marker to man eater, Kieran Donaghy. There is always a price to pay for such foolishness. Very early, a ball bobbled in the square and KD got a fist to it for the opening point. This was a signal for the The Rock's colourful and boisterous supporters to let rip. But as KD might say in a joust with Mr. Brolly, "you ain't seen nothing yet baby". A short while afterwards he caught and twisted and shot to the net. As he might say in another joust with the aforementioned, " now we're really rolling". A short while later he collected again and made tracks for goal but was brought down by the goalie. A black card for Michael Moriarty and a chance for the dapper wingback, Pat McCarthy ,to sign off on the deal. He did that.
That's it a nutshell. Only a fool or a naively optimistic Mid Kerry supporter could see the 2015 captaincy going to Darran or Doncha eeven at that early stage. Darran got his chance in 2009 but brave, loyal Doncha? Possibly never. And he was brave and loyal today too, probably their best player.
Austin Stacks mesmerised their opponents in the first half and indeed there was little change in the second half as they suffocated Mid Kerry with the vigour and avarice of their approach. Mid Kerry did get a goal late in the game made by the efforts of the tireless of Doncha and the recently minted diamond from Beaufort, Liam Carey. Not for the first time in his career Gavin O'Grady did the needful. However, a mere fly on the trunk of an elephant as far as the outcome was concerned.
All the backs played their part for the Rock and Wayne Guthrie was the classiest and most consistent midfielder on view. Shane Carroll, Shane O'Callaghn , Darragh O'Brien and Mickey Collins all had glorious moments in the attack where KD was , of course, the lynchpin. How gratifying it was to see the cursed Daniel Bohane get his medal and he did not get it on the backs of his colleagues. He earned it the hard way by being one of the most influential players on the field.
Darran was no more than a peripheral figure, roaming too far out. Gavin O'Grady was fairly well controlled. Sean O'Sullivan kicked two good points after he came on. If young Liam Carey maintains his interest and remains injury free he is surely destined for for senior duty eventually.
After his display against Mayo in Limerick, I was expecting great things from Pa Kilkenny. He disappointed and was too inclined to needlessly get involved in skirmishes.
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Post by ddtinexile on Nov 2, 2014 21:07:52 GMT
Congrats to the Stacks.
Looking forward to Kieran Donaghy leading out Kerry in 2015.
As the late great Rock man Billy Tansley used to shout. "GO On The ROCk"
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Post by fenit67 on Nov 2, 2014 22:45:39 GMT
Another County Championship comes to an end. Hard luck Mid-Kerry.
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mossie
Fanatical Member
Posts: 2,577
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Post by mossie on Nov 2, 2014 23:22:13 GMT
Congrats and well done to the Rockies, good to see them back at the top table in Kerry. Today's win was very comprehensive and they should have a big say in the Munster championship. They have come on a ton under Stephen Stacks in two years. Looking forward to seeing Kieran captaining Kerry in 2015. Stephen Stack has done a fantastic job I think he d be a great asset to be with a Kerry county team as a selector with the seniors or 21s or the 21s manager
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Post by Mickmack on Nov 3, 2014 7:46:37 GMT
Mid Kerry 2-13 Austin Stacks 1-7 In less than 20 minutes, Austin Stacks effectively put an end to 20 years of waiting for a 12th county title.
That’s all it took in this one-sided affair, which couldn’t have been more removed from the drawn game seven days earlier. Two goals in the space of nine minutes and Stacks became a speck on the horizon that Mid Kerry had to squint to see.
But as manager Stephen Stack revealed afterwards, this was a victory 12 months in the making. His euphoria was in sharp contrast to the disenchanted figure he cut in Fitzgerald Stadium last October when Dr Crokes ran riot against his team.
Almost a month after that 16-point reverse, he gathered the troops and plotted once more: “I’m nearly speechless because we were in a very difficult place last year but I never, ever lost faith in them. We came together on November 19 and thrashed a lot of things down, stripped ourselves down and said we just have to work harder, it’s as simple as that.
“William Kirby said to me last year, when the two of us were absolutely blind drunk on the counter of Connolly Park inside in our own club park, he banged the counter and said: ‘Stephen, we just have to f**king work harder!” and we all felt the same.
“We were prepared to make the sacrifices this year and those fellas deserve everything they got. They’ve been magnificent, a credit to their parents and to the club and I’m so proud of them today.”
Prior to throw-in, the general consensus was the extra game would suit Mid Kerry having not previously played together as much as Stacks. But that theory appeared porous after seven minutes when a Shane O’Callaghan score stretched the Rockies’ lead to 1-3 to no score.
The goal had come a minute earlier, O’Callaghan involved in the build-up to Kieran Donaghy’s score. Donaghy should never have been given the time and space he was afforded to correct himself before netting for the second successive game. It was almost with a nervous reverence that he able to manoeuvre into a position to strike past Michael Moriarty.
But worse was to follow for the Mid Kerry goalkeeper in the 14th minute when he brought Donaghy to ground in the penalty area. Donaghy may have been fortunate himself not to be pulled up for a slight push on Fergal Griffin just before the foul but Moriarty was correctly issued with a black card. Substitute goalkeeper Rory O’Connor replaced him but wasn’t able to keep out Pat McCarthy’s spot kick.
It wasn’t until the 22nd minute that Mid Kerry registered their second score after Liam Carey’s eight minute effort. That Carey point was their only score from play in the first half, which they lost 2-7 to 0-3.
Key to Stacks’ dominance apart from their superior attitude were a few personnel and positional changes from last week. Donaghy’s presence at midfield in the opening half extended only to the throw-in as he stationed himself at full-forward.
Veteran William Kirby was kept in reserve as Greg Horan moved from half-back line to join Wayne Guthrie in midfield and the tactic worked a treat. “We felt the diamond area was going to be absolutely critical and we made changes and we dominated it again,” said Stack.
“Mick Galwey said to me a few weeks ago ‘make sure the opposition earns every score!’. He came down to us and spoke to us and there was a couple of others I’d prefer not to mention.”
Unlike the drawn game where he struggled on occasions, goalkeeper Darragh O’Brien certainly made Mid Kerry do that. Gavan O’Grady’s goal in the final minute of normal time only came after he had deprived the divisional outfit of three other attempts.
On top of a regimental display by the Stacks’ defence, the beaverish work ethic of Shane O’Callaghan and Mikey Collins was fundamental in the victory. And then there was Donaghy, completing a county-club double with a superb individual performance.
“He’s such a magnificent leader!” gushed Stack. “If he is going to be captain of Kerry I can tell you he is going to be a great captain. In time I believe he’ll be a great coach but for now we want to hold onto him as a coach and I thought he was magnificent again today. The ball going into him was very good.”
For a club as proud as Stacks, the 20-year gap was understandably special but especially after a year where a lot of the group had suffered personal heartache. As Stack revealed: “I’m particularly delighted for William and Darragh Long, both of them will know why. One of them is waiting 19 years and DL will know why we’re so delighted he kicked the last score of the game.
“We’d another great colleague of ours that we lost during the year, Trevor Barrett (died suddenly this year from brain haemorrhage at the age of 29). That was for Trevor today, he died, his brother Paul was on the bench today, we were thinking of Trevor today. My dad passed away, our chairman and vice-chairman lost parents. The club had a lot of losses during the year but that was always there behind us and that is for all of those people and all those people who have gone before us.”
What stirred Listowel man Stack was a sense he and his the team were always going to land the Bishop Moynihan Cup. “I had absolute conviction and belief that we’d win a county title (at some stage). It wasn’t arrogance, I just had absolutely belief in them. It’s great for Tralee and North Kerry, it’s not just an Austin Stacks thing. I sang with Strand Road!”
You can imagine he wasn’t shying away from a chorus or two in Connolly Park last night either.
Scorers for Austin Stacks: K Donaghy (1-2); S Carroll (0-5, 4 frees); P McCarthy (1-1, 1-0 pen); M Collins (0-2); S O’Callaghan, D Mannix, D Long (0-1 each).
Scorers for Mid Kerry: G O’Grady (1-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 45); S O’Sullivan (0-2), L Carey (0-1).
AUSTIN STACKS: D O’Brien; J Dennis, F McNamara, R Shanahan; B Shanahan, P McCarthy, D McElligott; W Guthrie, G Horan; M Collins, S Carroll, D Bohan; S O’Callaghan, K Donaghy, D O’Brien.
Subs: D Mannix for D O’Brien (h-t); C Jordan for R Shanahan (37); F Mangan for D Bohan (47); W Kirby for G Horan (53); D Long for M Collins, C O’Connell for P McCarthy (both 55).
MID KERRY: M Moriarty (Beaufort); G Hartnett (Beaufort), F Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar), P Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar); A Cahillane (Keel), R Murphy (Beaufort), Danny O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar); C McGillicuddy (Glenbeigh/Glencar), T Ladden (Keel); G Sayers (Keel), L Carey (Beaufort), D Walsh (Cromane); G O’Grady (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar), K Courtney (Glenbeigh/Glencar).
Subs: R O’Connor (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for M Moriarty (black, 14); M Burke (Keel) for C McGillicuddy (21); S O’Sullivan (Cromane) for G Sayers, J Hoare (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for R Murphy (both h-t); J Long (Keel) for M Burke (53).
Referee: P O’Sullivan (Firies).
Game-changer
Onlookers may say Austin Stacks’ second goal but Kieran Donaghy’s fisted point in the 48th-minute point, putting them 10 up, sealed the lid on this final.
Talk of the town
Stacks’ latest vintage getting a 20-year monkey off their backs.
Did that just happen?
The nervousness of the Mid Kerry cover that allowed Donaghy in for his goal. The worst thing was the same anxiety let him in for a goal in Tralee last week.
Best on show
The vast majority of the press box voted for Donaghy, understandable, but Mikey Collins was very impressive.
Black card watch
Michael Moriarty saw the line after taking down Donaghy for a penalty.
Sideline superior
Stephen Stack’s decision to keep Kieran Donaghy at the edge of the square, even with William Kirby remaining on the bench deep into the second half, was a bold and ultimately excellent call.
The man in black
Composed game by Padraig O’Sullivan and got the black card call right.
What’s next?
Stacks face Cork champions Ballincollig in Kerry on Sunday week.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved
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Post by Mickmack on Nov 3, 2014 7:51:38 GMT
Another man of the match award left Kieran Donaghy mobbed again by delirious fans after his sensational comeback season climaxed with him mugging yet another unfortunate full-back in Killarney yesterday.
In an uncanny flashback to the Gaelic Grounds this summer, the man they call 'Star' caused havoc in the opening 15 minutes - scoring one goal and then winning a penalty - to lead Austin Stacks to their first Kerry SFC title in 20 years.
"It doesn't get any better than what I have been through in the last three months," Donaghy beamed after adding a long-awaited senior club medal to this year's senior All-Ireland and unexpected All Star.
"Three great months and 16 very tough months before," he added in reference to his sensational return to top form after injury.
"I said it to the missus, and I've said it before, that it must be all for a reason. Not everyone gets to be as lucky as I am, that it works out as good and I just have been fortunate and have to take it in as best I can."
Once again, Kerry's totemic full-forward played the pivotal role as the team from Rock Street in Tralee won their 12th county title.
Yesterday's long-awaited victory puts them two clear at the top of Kerry's glistening pile and will see them play Cork champions Ballincollig in the Munster Club Championship in two weeks. Victory will also likely see Donaghy (31) nominated to captain Kerry next season, a role which his delighted club manager Stephen Stack believes he will definitely do justice.
"He's such a magnificent leader," said Stack. "If he is going to be captain of Kerry I can tell you he is going to be a great captain. In time, I believe he'll be a great coach but, for now, we want to hold on to him as a player and I thought he was magnificent again today."
After punching over the opening point, Donaghy scored the opening goal in the fifth minute, toying with unaided Fergal Griffin for what seemed like an age before finishing brilliantly. Ten minutes later he was headed for goal again, though was lucky to get away with a push when winning the initial ball. Mid Kerry keeper Michael Moriarty took him down to concede the penalty, which earned him a black card, and Stacks wing-back Pat McCarthy tucked the spot-kick away past sub keeper Rory O'Connor to put the Tralee men into a 2-5 to 0-1 lead.
Changes
A week earlier, Stacks had moved Donaghy all around the park but yesterday they made changes elsewhere that allowed their inspirational full-forward do what he does best - terrorising the goal-mouth.
He wasn't Stacks only man of the match candidate, as Mikey Collins, Shane O'Callaghan and their full-back line were all excellent too but, apart from scoring 1-2, he also cleared vital ball off his own goal-line at times, just as he did for Kerry this summer.
He revealed that his replay experience in that two-game saga with Mayo provided useful advice to pass on to his club teammates.
"Stephen got the calls right, moving Greg (Horan) to midfield was a big thing for us and keeping Dan (Bohan) at half-forward," Donaghy added. "We probably didn't use our panel in the last game and I think the management were unbelievable today and got all the big calls right, even with the subs."
The 'Rockies' were ten points up at half-time (2-7 to 0-3) but had goalkeeper Darragh O'Brien to thank also for making two good stops off Martin Burke by the break, which their manager acknowledged.
"Darragh unfortunately had a difficult day the last day but he's been brilliant for us all year. We rallied around him and his confidence never dropped. He's a super keeper," added Stack.
His team looked much sharper and hungrier in that first half but Mid Kerry, for whom ex-Kerry senior Sean O'Sullivan did well off the bench, gave them a better battle on the restart.
They pulled Donnchadh Walsh to midfield, and Liam Carey and Kieran Courtney kept trying but Stacks - who could afford to foul at that stage - weren't afraid to, leaving their opponents too dependent on Gavan O'Grady's free-taking, and his consolation goal only came in the dying minutes.
It was a particularly emotional day for Austin Stacks after suffering a 16-point defeat by Dr Crokes in last year's final and a series of tragedies since. Their manager vividly summarised their tough year.
"We were in a very difficult place last year but I never, ever lost faith in them," said Stack.
"William Kirby said to me, when the two of us were absolutely blind drunk on the counter inside in our own club, he banged it and said 'Stephen we just have to f***ing work harder'," the two-time All-Ireland winner revealed.
"We all felt the same and were prepared to make the sacrifices this year and I'm particularly delighted for William and Darragh Long," Stack added. "One of them is waiting 19 years for this and Darragh will know himself why we're so delighted that he kicked the last score of the game.
"We'd another great colleague of ours that we lost during the year," he said of the tragic loss of their 29-year-old dual player Trevor Barrett, who died of a brain haemorrhage last Easter. "His brother Paul was on the bench today and we were thinking of Trevor today. My dad passed away, our chairman and vice-chairman lost parents - the club had a lot of losses during the year. That was always there behind us, and this is for all of those people, and all those people who have gone before us."
He also paid tribute to Dr Crokes who lent them their facilities to warm up in yesterday.
"That's something we really appreciate. They've been magnificent ambassadors for Kerry, in Munster, in the past four years and we have an obligation, as champions of Kerry, to represent the county as well as Crokes did, and I hope we do that," he added.
Scorers: Austin Stacks: S Carroll 0-5 (4f), K Donaghy 1-2, P McCarthy 1-1 (1 pen), M Collins 0-2, S O'Callaghan, D Mannix and D Long 0-1 each. Mid Kerry: G O'Grady 1-4 (3f, 1'45), S O'Sullivan 0-2, L Carey 0-1.
Austin Stacks: D O'Brien; J Dennis, F MacNamara, R Shanahan; P McCarthy, B Shanahan (Capt), D McElligott; W Guthrie, G Horan; S O'Callaghan, S Carroll, D Bohan; D O'Brien, K Donaghy, M Collins. Subs: D Mannix for D O'Brien (half-time), C Jordan for R Shanahan (inj, 38), F Mangan for Bohan (46), W Kirby for Horan (53), D Long for Collins (56), C O'Connell for McCarthy (56).
Mid Kerry: M Moriarty; P Kilkenny, F Griffin (Capt), G Hartnett; A Cahillane, R Murphy, Danny O'Sullivan; C McGillicuddy, T Ladden; G Sayers, L Carey, D Walsh; G O'Grady, Darran O'Sullivan, K Courtney. Subs: R O'Connor for Moriarty (black card, 15), M Burke for McGillicuddy (21), S O'Sullivan for Sayers (half-time), J Hoare for Murphy (half-time), F Hallissey for Courtney (42), J Long for Burke (53).
Referee: P O'Sullivan.
Indo Sport
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Post by Mickmack on Nov 3, 2014 8:13:32 GMT
Its ten weeks now since EF sprung Kieran Donaghy from the bench with Mayo five points up and time running out.
An All Ireland medal, an All Star and a county championship medal in ten weeks.
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Post by buck02 on Nov 3, 2014 10:26:24 GMT
Like Veteran said, Mid Kerry displayed great naivety in leaving Donaghy isolated one on one with Fergal Griffin - I would have thought it would be a good idea to drop somebody back, if only for the first 15 minutes, and deny Stacks the chance to get on a roll.
But Stacks got on a roll and aided by a dubious refereeing decision (Donaghy fouled his man and then the ball in the lead up to the first goal) were 1-3 up before Mid Kerry even attacked. All Stacks players knew their job and Guthrie often dropped back on top of Gavin Grady before Mid Kerry had the chance to get the ball into him. Darran started full forward but was then deployed behind midfield and looked like he hurt his hamstring early on but he played the full 60 minutes (a pale shadow of his 2011 form it must be said).
Stacks were on top in probably every position, The Shanahans and McCarthy at the back did well, midfield dominated and Callaghan, Carroll, Collins and Donaghy were prominent up front. It was also nice to see Darragh Long come on and kick a point at the end.
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