Stacks join Desmonds at the top of Two

IT is difficult to judge the full meaning of results with only three games played at the weekend, but Austin Stacks join Castleisland Desmonds in a share of the lead after overcoming Ballymacelligott by five points in a tricky encounter at Connolly Park. Stacks had led by 0-8 to 0-3 after 21 minutes but Ballymac managed to draw level at the break aided by an Eanna Reidy goal as the half-time score stood at 0-8 to 1-5. Two Aiden Breen points gave the visitors the lead but Stacks responded with a good Darragh O’Brien goal as Michael O’Donnell was involved in the build-up. Reidy scored a second goal to have the game back in the balance but some substitutions worked for Stacks with Pa McCarthy scoring a goal that ensured a 2-14 to 2-9 success for the hosts.

The two Intermediate semi-finalists had contrasting experiences at the weekend. Glenflesk had a strong with over Kenmare Shamrocks but Kilcummin were left with plenty to think about following an eight-point loss at home to Dromid Pearses.

Glenflesk powered to a 3-14 to 1-8 victory below in Father Breen Park as their three goals all came in the first period. Dara and Ian Roche along with Brian O’Donoghue were the scorers as they led by 3-7 to 0-4 at halftime. Paul O’Connor scored all bar one of the hosts total with 1-7 as Dara Roche had 1-5, his brother Ian 1-1 and there was also four points each for Jeff O’Donoghue and Michael O’Shea in a 12 point win for the East Kerry side as they can take some confidence into the trip to Killorglin to face St Marys.

Whether Kilcummin were distracted by what’s to come with Templenoe this weekend or not is hard to say. However, that should not take anything away from what was a very sharp and determined performance by the visitors Dromid Pearses. Bar levelling the scores twice in the opening seven minutes Kilcummin trailed the rest of the way with Chris Farley (0-8, 5f) and Niall O’Shea (1-4, 1f) accounting for a combined total of 1-12 of Dromid’s total. Shane O’Connor and Kevin O’Leary impressed in the Dromid Pearses defence along with Aidan Shine O’Sullivan at midfield as O’Shea scored their goal with a great finish in the 17th minute to put them 1-5 to 0-3 ahead. Despite Chris O’Leary and Matt Keane’s return to the host’s line-up, an injury to Gary O’Leary was a setback in the first period as they trailed by 1-10 to 0-5 at half-time.

Dromid matched efforts at a comeback with scores early in the second period as Graham O’Sullivan made a big defensive block in the 43rd minute for the visitors and the underside of the crossbar came against Padraig Nagle also in the second period in Kilcummin’s only real chance at a goal. Six points for Noel Duggan (four frees) made up the bulk of their scoring with two points each for Nagle and Keane along with a point from substitute Phillip Casey the other Kilcummin scores in a disappointing display.

Two of Dromid’s points came from starting corner-backs in the form of Cian Ó Sé and the aforementioned O’Connor as their packed defence held firm in not allowing Kilcummin a way back. Aidan ‘Shine’ and Gearóid J O’Sullivan were their other points scorers in a deserved 1-16 to 0-11 win.

This weekend sees Desmonds resume at home to Ardfert, the second trip in a row to the venue for the St Brendans side after they beat Gneeveguilla in a relegation play-off there last week.

Listowel Emmets host Milltown/Castlemaine while the game between Na Gaeil and Currow is yet to be re-fixed at the present time.