CREDIT UNION COUNTY LEAGUE. Asdee 2-11 Austin Stacks, “B” 0-9.
At Connolly Park, Tralee on Saturday evening last Asdee had a hard earned but fully deserved victory over a depleted Stacks who in fairness played some superb football but when it came to the scoring department they failed dismally; however credit the visitors defence in which Brian Coughlan, Sean Keane and Eoin O Carroll who worked tirelessly throughout making scoring that bit harder for their opponents.
The game opened with the home side getting out of traps quickly and despite kicking 5 terrible wides during that opening 6 minutes they raced into a 2pt lead with full forward Sean Dukes splitting the posts on 2 occasions and a Brendan Cable effort that just went wide with goal all written over it. At this stage Asdee were finding it difficult to get their hands on the ball as the home team dominated; however a quick break out of defence saw Eoin Kennedy opening his sides scoring after 8 minutes followed by a pointed free from Mike Breen to tie up the game.
Kyle Fitzgibben and Eoin Kennedy exchanged points as we approached the 23rd minute to leave it all square at 3 points each. Asdees play seemed to improve and Mike Breen was jus off target with a goal attempt. Suddenly the visitors got the break they needed and in a 3 minute spell John Doran and Eoin Kennedy hit for goals to put a bit of daylight between the sides. Kyle Fitzgibben pointed for Stacks as the Referee blew for half time; Asdee 2-4 Austin Stacks “B” 0-5.
The second half opened with Stacks as the did in the opening half get off to a flying start with Kyle Fitzgibben and Calvin Foley on target after 5 minutes. Again Asdee weathered the storm and 4 unanswered points from Eoin Tydings, (2) Mike Breen and John Doran and by the 18th minute Asdee had built up a commanding lead; Asdee 2-8 Stacks 0-7; Seamus Bastible their full back coming up field to slot over their 7th point of the game. The visitors had now used up their bench as Michael Walsh with his first touch and Darragh Keane split the uprights by the 23rd minute. Stacks Kyle Fitzgibben and the impressive Sean Dukes closed their sides scoring with John Doran replying for Asdee.
Overall a most entertaining game with Referee John Dineen, Fossa adding to the enjoyment; Cathal O Reilly, Seamus Bastible, Louis Ryle, Dale Counihan, Kyle Fitzgibben were others to impress for Stacks while for Asdee besides those already mentioned; John Doran, Kieran Kelly, Eoin Tydings, Eoin Kennedy, Darren Russell excelled.
Teams and scorers; Asdee; Conor Coughlan, Sean Keane, Eoin O Carroll, Brian Coughlan, David O Connor, Darren Russell, Michael Tydings, Kieran Kelly, Darragh Keane, 1pt, Mike Breen, 3pts, Eoin Kennedy, 1-1, Padraig Ruddle, Dinny Dalton, Eoin Tydings, 2pts, John Doran, 1-3. Subs, Michael Walsh, 1pt for David O Connor, Keith McNamara for Kieran Kelly, Patrick Horgan for Darragh Keane, Padraig Buckley for Brian Coughlan.
Austin Stacks; Sean Purcill, Brian O Sullivan, Seamus Bastible, 1pt,John Murphy, Paul Galvin, Cathal O Reilly, Sean Fitzmaurice, Calvin Foley, 1pt, Shane Walsh, Dale Counihan, Louis Ryle, 1pt, Kyle Fitzgibben, 4pts, Brendan Cable, Sean Dukes, 2pts, Alan Griffin.
Referee, John Dineen Fossa.