Munster success for Finuge/Senans and Austin Stacks

IT was a very successful weekend for Kerry clubs in Munster with both Finuge/St Senans and Austin Stacks emerging victorious in their Junior and Intermediate quarter finals respectively.

MUNSTER JFC QUARTER-FINAL Finuge /St Senans 4-12 Na Deise 1-12

FINUGE/ST Senans were first out of the traps on Saturday when they defeated Na Deise of Waterford by 4-12 to 1-12 at Mallow Sports Complex. First half goals from Emma McCarthy and Caoimhe Shanahan set Finuge firmly on their way, and they went into the half time break with a five-point lead, 2-8 to 1-7. McCarthy added a second goal midway through the second half, and soon afterwards Ann Marie Leen got in on the act with a superb effort of her own.

Miriam O’Keeffe was in great form contributing six points from play whilst Kerry camogie star Jackie Horgan showed her prowess with the big ball when she slotted over four points, two of them from play.

Next up for Finuge/St Senans is a Munster Junior semi final next weekend against St Bridgets of Hospital, Limerick with the time and venue tbc.

FINUGE /ST SENANS SCORERS: Emma McCarthy 2-0, Caoimhe Shanahan 1-0, Ann Marie Leen 1-0, Miriam O’Keeffe 0-6, Jackie Horgan 0-4 (2f), Niamh Carmody 0-2.

MUNSTER IFC QUARTER-FINAL Austin Stacks 3-6 Burren Gaels 2-8

IN the Munster Intermediate Championship quarter final Austin Stacks made the journey across the ferry to take on Clare champions Burren Gaels last Sunday.

Driving winds and rain made for very testing conditions, but the Tralee side showed toughness and resilience to claim victory. Mollie O’Carroll was the hero of the hour when her last minute goal snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to claim a one-point victory for the Rock Street girls.

It was O’Carroll’s second goal of the encounter, with the former Kerry All Ireland winning underage star also hitting the net on the stroke of half time to leave Austin Stacks with a slender 1-5 to 0-6 half time lead.

Veteran star Marina Barry added another goal midway through the second period, and further points from Megan O’Brien and Ellen O’Connell left the black and amber just two behind. O’Carroll then struck in the final minute to break the Burren hearts and leave the Austin Stacks players and supporters in raptures of excitement.

Next up for Austin Stacks is a Munster Intermediate semi-final against Kinsale of Cork next week- en, with the time and venue tbc. AUSTIN Stacks scorers: Mollie O’Carroll 2-0, Marina Barry 1-1, Megan O’Brien 0-2, Ellen O’Connell 0-1, Maeve McKivergan 0-1, Karina Quilter 0-1.

NEXT weekend will also see Kerry senior champions Southern Gaels take their bow in the Munster Senior B Championship when the take on Tipperary champions Cahir with time and venue tbc.

The South Kerry girls come into the game on the back of a comprehensive victory over Castleisland Desmonds in the Kerry county championship final. It is over 10 weeks since this game took place and the lay-off from competitive action could have a telling effect on the Southern Gaels girls performance.

Cahir only claimed their county title last Sunday so they will have the benefit of that game under their belts. They also had five players on the Tipperary panel that claimed the All Ireland Intermediate title two week ago, including player f the match Aisling McCarthy.

Southern Gaels have played a number of challenge games against Cork clubs and the form in training is good, so they will be in with every shout of going a step further.

With players of the calibre of Caroline Kelly, Anna Galvin, Megan O’Connell and Linda Cronin in their ranks it would be hard to bet against Southern Gaels, however they can expect to be pushed all the way by the Tipperary champions.