Stacks praises leadership shown by older players
AUSTIN Stacks manager Stephen Stack was a very happy man with this latest win for his team, putting particular praise on the leadership of some of older players.
“I am absolutely delighted, I’m thrilled for the lads, over the years Crokes have been our nemesis, we had great confidence in the lads coming into this game. I’m incredibly proud of the lads in terms of their application, attitude, hunger and most importantly their composure late on in the game because generally it’s Crokes that finish games like that, doing all the right things and making all the right decisions, I thought that we finished very well in that regard, mentally very strong, fellows trusted each other which was great”.
Stephen admitted that the more experienced players had played a massive part in the victory.
“I was delighted with the leadership that the older fellows showed because we did pull a certain number of fellows out last night and we said ‘if ye lead the rest of them will follow’ and that’s exactly what happened,” he said. “The younger guys took the lead from the older players and they really stood up today. Some of the more senior players have been doing it for years even in situations where we have been beaten so it’s a just reward for them.
“I couldn’t praise my management team enough. Pat Flanagan and Billy Lee have come in this year and they have made a huge difference along with John Walsh, John Joe Sugrue and Micheál Dillon. I’d like to thank the backing of the club and the executive, their support has been absolutely phenomenal.
“It’s a great day for Stacks, but all we are focused on now is getting back to preparing for Kenmare District in three weeks time. “
Meanwhile, Dr Crokes selector Harry O’Neill felt the sending off had a bearing on the outcome
“The loss of Ambrose was crucial. We were in control of the game at that stage, we got a free kick and whatever happened , the linesman called it and our lads had to play 45 minutes of the game with 14 men, you might get away with that for a lot of teams but not when you are up against a team like Stacks that are physically strong and fit. There is a rule there as well that states about the third man in and that did happen today, but look, the referee makes the calls and we just have to get on with it, it was just too big a mountain for us to climb today,” he continued
O’Neill felt that Dr Crokes had their chances to win the game.
“Our lads fought hard, we had chances near the end, if we had 15 men on the field I would have been confident that we would have been able to see the job out. The lads fought hard but Stacks are one point winners and they deserve their victory.”
Dr Crokes had a number of injured players last Sunday but O’Neill was hopeful that they would be back for their County Championship quarter final against Kerins O’Rahillys.
“Hopefully by the time we reach the October 2, Jordan Kiely, Micheál Burns, Luke Quinn and Eoin Brosnan will be fully fit to play and John Payne will be back as well,” he concluded.