The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
The Rockies need to recover verve from Cahersiveen draw
COUNTY SFC ROUND 3
Austin Stacks v West Kerry
Saturday, July 9 Austin Stack Park, 6.45pm SO which is it? Which Austin Stacks is the real Austin Stacks?
The Austin Stacks who travel to Cahersiveen and go toe-to-toe with the reigning champions? Or the Austin Stacks who surrender tamely a week later to the same opposition on their home turf?
The Austin Stacks from Cahersiveen would comfortably have what it takes to see off West Kerry this weekend. The Stacks from Connolly Park would likely struggle. Something manager Stephen Stack is acutely aware of.
At their best the Rockies are a vibrant force, but sometimes they seem to lose their way, if only just a little and that little bit can be the difference between success and failure.
Against West Kerry they’ll have the usual advantage a club side holds – West Kerry’s last match was in May, whereas Stacks played a county league game just last weekend. Even having to make do without Kieran Donaghy for county league fixtures that’s a huge advantage.
West Kerry too have had something of an up and down campaign. They were absolutely blitzed by Dr Crokes – few teams are coping with Pat O’Shea’s new look Crokes this year admittedly – but recovered well enough for their second round clash with Kilcummin.
The return to the side of Marc Ó Sé undoubtedly stabilised them and with guys like James Crean and Sean M Ó Conchuir playing well – Ó Conchuir scored two from play for the Kerry juniors just last week – they seem to have a little more about them in front of the sticks than has been the case on occasion over the last couple of years.
This is a game that could come down to the midfield battle – Stacks have Wayne Guthrie and Michael O’Donnell, while West Kerry are likely to go with Tomás Kavanagh and Éanna Ó Conchuir. Advantage Stacks with Donaghy another option.
Verdict: Austin Stacks