The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kilcummin see off gallant Stacks in thriller
MARY JO CURRAN CUP B FINAL
Kilcummin 2-13 Austin Stacks 3-7
KILCUMMIN were crowned Mary Jo Curran B champions after a pulsating contest with a gallant Austin Stacks side in Farranfore.
This was a great game from start to finish. The match got off to a quick start with the sides exchanging points in the opening minutes – Stacks’ opening two points coming from frees scored by Megan O’Brien and Caoimhe Barry Walsh.
A goal by Kilcummin was cancelled out by a goal from the boot of Mollie O’Carroll. Three unanswered points from Kilcummin followed and they led 1-4 to 1-2 before Marina Barry Walsh kicked a sweet point from play in the 23rd minute.
Kilcummin added another point from play and converted a free.
Caoimhe Barry Walsh who was unerring in her free taking throughout the day converted a long range free to narrow the gap to three points in the 27th minute.
Kilcummin finished the half with another point from play to leave the half-time score Kilcummin 1-8 Austin Stacks 1-4. Stacks started the second half brightly with two quick points from play by Megan O’Brien and a beautiful well worked goal converted by Marina Barry Walsh to put us into a one point lead 2-6 to 1-8.
However their lead was short lived as within a minute Kilcummin found the net themselves after a well worked move out of defence. Kilcummin added four unanswered points and it looked at this stage as if the Intermediate Champions were going to pull away for an easy win, but this young and very industrious Stacks side kept their heads in the game and their fighting spirit paid off when Mollie O’Carroll goaled in the 48th minute.
This was quickly followed up by a point from Megan O’Brien her fourth of the day (third from play) and with just 10 minutes remaining on the clock that dangerous lead of two points was all that separated the sides.
Both sides had chances in those closing minutes, but it was Kilcummin who kicked the insurance point to secure the victory.
AUSTIN STACKS: C Fitzpatrick, K Slattery, L Flynn, G O’Connor, S Fitzgerald, S Hoare, C Nix, C Murray, E O’Sullivan, B Slattery, C Barry Walsh (0-2f), M O’Brien (0-4 1f), M Barry Walsh (1-1), M O’Carroll (2-0), L Raymond for B Slattery, K Nagle for L Barrett
KILCUMMIN: L Teahan. A O’Donoghue, R Murphy, L O’Connor, E Dwyer, S O’Connor, C Stagg, M Doherty (1-3), B Brosnan, A Brosnan (0-1), C Crowley, A O’Sullivan (01), M O’Shea, C Kearney (0-5), A Hannigan (1-2) Subs: E Finn (0-1)