Stacks grab Barrett title win from jaws of defeat
BARRETT CUP FINAL
Austin Stacks ‘C’ 1-10 Annascaul ‘B’ 0-11
THE Barrett Cup final played in Caherslee last Friday produced a pretty dramatic finish with the Rockies snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, courtesy of a last gasp goal from their ace opportunist David Courtney in added time.
In a contest which was delicately poised for long periods it ultimately required a key moment, and a crucial score to decide the eventual outcome, and while it was Stacks who finally produced that spark to seal the deal, Annascaul will undoubtedly feel with some justification that they had done enough to garner at least a share of the spoils. They were at odds with the situation for mostly all of the first half, but were the dominant force for prolonged periods of the second, and finished the stronger combination, but were ultimately undone, by that late match winner.
Stacks imposed their presence on proceedings at the outset, and created more scoring chances, but they were still on level terms after seven minutes on two points apiece, with Dara Long exchanging a brace of pointed frees with a similar type return from Jack and Genie Farrell at the other end for Annascaul.
Still deadlocked on three points apiece after ten minutes, Stacks with Barry Walsh prominent in the pivotal centre half back berth stepped up a gear, and, at the end of some enterprising build up play Danny Roche, Mikey Collins, and Dara Long all converted points from play to leave the Rockies three points in front 0-6 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter.
Scorer-in-chief Dara Long converted two more pointed frees to extend his side’s lead before Alan Falvey with the final score of the half left just four points, 0-8 to 0-4, between the teams at half time.
Certainly, a scoring advantage which was fully merited on the basis of the first half exchanges, but, it could, and probably should have been more given the dominance exerted by Stacks for long periods.
However, it was Annascaul who restarted with a bit more purpose and urgency, and after they had kicked two early wides Jack Farrell with successive pointed frees halved the deficit, and followed it with another from play in the fortieth minute, which left just the bare minimum between the sides 0-8 0-7 at the end of the third quarter.
With momentum increasing in their favour, and, Alan Falvey making a significant input in midfield Annascaul, defending with a lot of determination were looking the more likely side to succeed at this particular juncture.
In a sporadic attack Dara Long was denied by a superb save from Stephen Pierce at close range, and, in the ensuing counter attack Annascaul with unmarked players in support were perfectly positioned to capitalise with a goal. However, a foul which resulted in Barry Walsh’s dismissal, having been shown a second yellow card prevented what might well have been a crucial score, and, what was subsequently to prove a pivotal moment in proceedings.
After Annascaul had levelled matters in the 47th minute the encounter developed into a nail biting finale, with the contest being level on two further occasions before Alan Falvey kicked Annascaul 0-11 to 0-10 in front with a pointed free in the 59th minute. It looked as if it might be sufficient to get them over the line, even if, influential substitute Denis Mc Elligott with some probing deliveries was keeping the Stacks challenge intact.
There was one final sting in the tail in the 62nd minute with TJ Hogan abandoning his defensive duties and lofting a high delivery towards goal, which was deflected by Ger Teahan into the path of David Courtney, and his clinical and instinctive finish from close range was inch perfect, being the seventh goal which he had scored in this year’s championship campaign.
Having already won the league title this season it was the eighth time that Stacks have lifted the Barrett Cup, with their team manager Aidan O’Connor guiding them to success on five of those occasions.
AUSTIN STACKS: Paddy Fitzgibbon, Tommy Costello, TJ Hogan, James Quigley, Michael Godley, Barry Walsh, Brian Phelan, Jason Mitchell, William Kirby, Mikey Collins (0-1), Darragh Long 0-8 (7f), Conor Lowe, David Courtney (1-0), David Leonard, Danny Roche (0-1). Subs: Craig Teahan for B Phelan, Ger Teahan for J Mitchell, Sean Dukes for M Collins (black card), Denis McElligott for C Lowe, Joe Looby for D Leonard.
ANNASCAUL: Stephen Pierce, Diarmuid O’Hara, Daniel O’Connell, Robbie O’Brien, Harry Kennedy, Gearoid O’Shea, Joe Kennedy, Sean O’Hara, Alan Falvey 0-4 (3f), Fionn Coakley, Genie Farrell (0-1 free), Dermot Foley (0-1), David Clifford, Emmett Kennedy, Jack Farrell 0-5 (4f). Subs: Dara Hickson for R O’Brien (black card), Joe Hoare for D Kennedy REFEREE: Michael Hennessy (Ballyduff)