Stacks U-14s beat Rangers in high-scoring final

U-14 DIVISION 1 COUNTY FINAL Austin Stacks 5-17 Laune Rangers 3-13

AUSTIN Stacks sprang right out of the traps to score three goals in the opening five minutes, full forward Jordan Kissane simply impossible to contain in an impressive black and amber front line. Eoghan Hassett opened Rangers’ account with a point but Stacks raised a fourth green flag in reply. Tom Whittleton, Adam Owens and Mikey O’Donnell picked off well-taken points for Laune Rangers, but Shane Bastible, man of the match Kissane, and Evan Foley replied and Stacks added three more before adding a fifth goal. Kissane and Foley between them had rattled the net five times and the game looked all but over already at 5-6 to 0-5.

Laune Rangers, however, are famed for their resilience and struck back with some great football before the break to give them real hope, Eoghan Hassett (2) and Callum Moriarty had come close to breaking through the Stacks defence, pointing frees instead, before Adam Owens got in twice and showed that both teams had a superbly clinical finisher in their ranks on each occasion.

The half-time score was Austin Stacks 5-8 Laune Rangers 2-8.

Stacks matched Rangers with 0-3 a piece in the third quarter – Eoghan Hassett (2), and Adam Owens pointing with the Launesider scores but Rockie replies coming from Shane Bastible, Jordan Kissane, and Conor Horan as Stacks maintained a 5-11 to 2-11 lead. Owens completed a hat-trick for Rangers with points also coming from Owens and the very impressive Eoghan Hassett, but the physically strong Stacks were always able to maintain control. They added six more points as Rangers were chasing goals to close out a comfortable win. Coiste na nÓg Chairman Tom Keane presented the Willie Griffin Shield, presented in the memory of the great Coiste na nÓg inspirational mentor from Kerins O’Rahillys, to Austin Stacks captain Joey Nagle.

Well done to referee Paul Hayes, both sets of players, coaches, parents, and supporters on a brilliant game in a resplendent Kilcummin. AUSTIN STACKS: Ben Quilter, Kevin Barry, Ruairi O’Connell, Brian McElligott, Cian Dillane, Joey Nagle, Joshua Lynch, Armin Heinrich, Dean Rusk, Gearóid Kilgallen (01), Shane Bastible (0-5), Johnny Feely (01), Evan Foley (1-2), Jordan Kissane (4-5), Conor Horan (0-3). Subs: Liam Carmody, James Charles, Sean Collins, Donnacha Fox, Leon Gallagher, Gavin Slattery, Cillian Litchfield, Donnacha Sayers, Dylan Hurley LAUNE RANGERS: Jake Reenstierna, James Byrne, Patrick Brennan, James Treacy, Tom Whittleton (0-1), Matt Reenstierna, Darragh Mangan, Calum Russell (0-1), Ryan Diggin, Mikey O’Donnell (0-1), Calum Moriarty (0-1), Jack O’Sullivan, Eoghan Hassett (0-6), Adam Owens (3-3), Marc Clifford. Subs: Darragh O’Grady, Jack Healy, Aona O’Shea, Cathal Crowley. Subs: Ciarán O’Sullivan, Daniel Evans, Sean Twiss, Eoin Lynch, Killian Spillane, Cillian Foley, Cillian Buckley. Division 2 Final Na Gaeil 3-18 Killarney Legion 5-7 Division 3 Final Kilgarvan/Tuosist 4-12 An Ghaeltacht 0-18 Division 4 Final Firies 5-12 Beaufor t 3-11 Division 5 Final Keel/Listry 5-18 Moyvane 4-7 Division 6 Final Renard 4-14 Currow 3-16 Division 7 Final Annascaul/Lispole 4-6 Finuge 1-14 Division 8 Final Skellig Rangers/Valentia 3-16 St. Michaels/ Foilmore 2-18 Division 9 Final Austin Stacks 2-14 Laune Rangers 2-9