Match Report: Austin Stacks v Kenmare Shamrocks
Our senior footballers produced an excellent display in Connolly Park yesterday to claim two valuable league points against Austin Stacks in Round 9 of the MIG County League Division 1.
We settled quickly into the contest and opened the scoring after six minutes when Jack Tagney found space and split the posts from play to give Shamrocks an early advantage. Austin Stacks responded with a point of their own, but Kenmare regained the lead through James McCarthy, whose well-taken effort from play left us leading by 0-2 to 0-1 after nine minutes.
A fiercely contested period followed as both defences tightened their grip on proceedings. Austin Stacks managed to level matters at 0-2 apiece, but we were beginning to dominate possession and looked the more threatening side going forward.
Donal O’Sullivan then extended the advantage with a well-struck free on 23 minutes, rewarding a spell of sustained pressure from the visitors. We continued to push forward with the influential Jack O’Sullivan pulling the strings in midfield. Zack O’Shea added another fine point from play on 27 minutes to open up a two-point cushion. Our defensive unit was working tirelessly at the other end, restricting Austin Stacks to just two scores in the opening half and forcing them into difficult shooting positions.
The defining moment of the half arrived just before the break when James McCarthy capped an impressive opening period by finding the net from play. A long delivery from Zack O’Shea caused problems in the Austin Stacks defence and McCarthy reacted quickest, fisting the ball to the net. The goal was a major boost and ensured we headed to the dressing room with a deserved five-point advantage after dominating possession for long spells of the opening half.
Half Time: Austin Stacks 0-2, Kenmare Shamrocks 1-4.
Leading by five points at the break, we knew that we would face a determined response from Austin Stacks in the second half. Conor Horan converted a free for Stacks inside the opening minute, but this was cancelled out by Donal O’Sullivan. David Hallissey replaced Dan McCarthy on 33 minutes, and soon after that, Stacks kicked three points in a row through Gavin Casey and Conor Horan.
A pivotal moment arrived on 38 minutes when Clubber TV “Man of the Match” James McCarthy produced a superb two-point score from play. The long-range effort pushed us 4 points ahead and was quickly followed by a Donal O’Sullivan free, leaving the Shamrocks in a commanding position at 1-8 to 0-6.
Another important score of the game came approaching the midway point of the half. David Hallissey, introduced as a substitute shortly after the restart, made an immediate impact when he finished to the net on 49 minutes. The goal stretched Kenmare’s lead to eight points, which again was deserved.
Austin Stacks refused to give up and responded almost immediately with a goal of their own through Ronal O Carroll to reduce the deficit. However, again we showed great composure under pressure. Donal O’Sullivan landed two excellent points from play to steady the ship and restore a healthy cushion as the game entered the closing stages. Shane O’Sullivan replaced Stephan O Brian in the 53rd minute, and Cian O’Sullivan came on for Kevin O’Sullivan at the same time. Four minutes later, Eoghan McCarthy replaced Jack Tangney.
Austin Stacks mounted a late rally and registered four unanswered points in the final ten minutes, but the Shamrocks defence stood firm when it mattered most.
When the final whistle sounded, Kenmare Shamrocks had secured a deserved 2-10 to 1-10 victory. It was a performance marked by intelligent game management, excellent finishing and resilience under pressure, with key contributions throughout the field. James McCarthy’s 1-3, Donal O’Sullivan’s accuracy, Jack O’Sullivan’s influence around midfield and David Hallissey’s impact off the bench were central to an impressive away win.
Our senior footballers now have a 4-point cushion with just two games to go. We need
Second Half Scorers:
- David Hallissey 1-0
- James McCarthy 1-3 (One 2-Point)
- Donal O’Sullivan 0-5
- Jack Tangney 0-1
- Zack O Shea 0-1
Full Time: Austin Stacks 1-10, Kenmare Shamrocks 2-10.
1. Kieran Fitzgibbon
2. Liam O Sullivan
3. Dara O Shea
4. Darragh O Connor
5. Dan McCarthy
6. James McCarthy
7. Tommy Cronin
8. David Ciuciu
9. Kevin O Sullivan
10. Zack O Shea
11. Donal O Sullivan
12. Stephen O Brien (c)
13. Jack Tagney
14. Jack O Sullivan
15. Jimmy Lehane
17. Shane O Sullivan
18. David Hallisey
19. Cian O Sullivan
20. Eoghan McCarthy
21. Jack Sweeney
Management
Peter O Sullivan
Timmy Palmer
Dan Lucey
