Stacks secure promotion back to Division One

DIVISION TWO

DELICATELY poised at both ends of the table with two big ‘back games’ concerning the relegation battle this weekend before we get a true reflection on proceedings! The only thing we can officially say is that Austin Stacks are going back to Division One and going back as champions to boot as their victory over Na Gaeil, coupled with Desmonds’ loss to Kenmare Shamrocks the following day, means the Tralee club stand atop the table by three points.

A large crowd gathered in Killeen for Stacks’ meeting with Na Gaeil, the first major fixture between the Tralee clubs at senior level in some time. There was nothing to separate them at the break; Dara Devine goaled for the hosts after being put through by Kieran O’Donovan but points from a Darragh O’Brien free and a Wayne Guthrie effort had the sides level at 1-5 to 0-8 at half-time. Shane O’Callaghan goaled for Stacks in the 42nd minute to put the tide in their favour as Ferdia O’Brien followed O’Callaghan with points in putting them towards victory. Na Gaeil had to change goalkeeper when Timmy Culloty went off injured but his replacement Eamon O’Neill was equal to Pa McCarthy’s late spot-kick as it meant a 1-14 to 1-8 win for the Rockies.

Na Gaeil must now hope Stacks prevent Desmonds from winning on the final day and better the Castleisland men’s result when they go away to Glenflesk in order to be promoted to the top flight.

Na Gaeil could also go up depending on Kilcummin’s result against Kenmare but the East Kerry side lie one point ahead of Na Gaeil and Desmonds now after getting the better of Ballymacelligott on Saturday evening.

Noel Duggan put in a fine scoring performance for Kilcummin with 1-7 as Shane McSweeney set him up for the goal before halftime that had the hosts 1-10 to 0-5 in front. Ballymac tried to make amends but couldn’t get close enough to worry the Intermediate champions despite scoring a late consolation goal in a 1-17 to 1-10 defeat.

Kilcummin head south to Kenmare on the final day to face a Shamrocks side that caused a stir with a 2-13 to 1-5 win away to Desmonds. That result moves Kenmare out of the relegation zone for now, but three teams below them on the table has a game less played. Ardfert go away to Currow and Milltown/Castlemaine host Dromid Pearses (postponed last weekend due to a bereavement) in back games this weekend when wins for Ardfert and Milltown/Castlemaine would drag Kenmare back into the drop-zone.

That set of results would also relegate Listowel Emmets to Division 3 even though the North Kerry side kept their hopes, however slim, of survival alive with a 3-11 to 1-14 win over Glenflesk at Frank Sheehy Park. Maurice Whelan and Niall Collins impressed for Emmets in the first period as Noel Kennelly scored the first of two goals and Tom McCarthy put over a point to give them the advantage at the break. Substitute Sam Tarrant scored 1-3 for Emmets in the second period before Kennelly palmed in his second to put the game beyond Glenflesk. Brothers Jeff and Lee O’Donoghue had scored the majority of their points before Ian Roche scored a consolation goal in injury time.

Life in Division 2 might officially end for Emmets this weekend with the results of those two back games but even if they do beat Dromid on the last day it is asking too much to expect the amount of results they need to go in their favour.