Defending champions Austin Stacks proved too powerful tonight in the quarter-final of the U21 County Championship, running out comfortable winners on a final scoreline of 2-18 to 0-13. Their strength and physicality, particularly in the second half, proved too much for our young side — many of whom will still be eligible to play again next year.
We were just a point behind with eight minutes to go until half-time, but a quick scoring burst from Ronan Carroll and Ryan O'Driscoll saw Stacks raise two green flags. From there on it was always going to be an uphill battle, half time score 2-09 to 0-07.
We had good first half performances from Sean Collins, TJ Heaphy, Ben Hanafin, Jake Foley, Tomás Kennedy and Darragh O'Connor - these players have senior experience and it showed and for our younger players it was a steep learning curve.
Jake Foley had the opening score of the second half but we were unlucky to lose TJ to a black card but the sides were both on 14 when Jack Murphy saw red ( second yellow) for a foul on Tomás Kennedy - Darragh pointed the resultant free, 2-11 to 0-10 but Stacks then began to pull away, Ronan Carroll and Ryan O'Driscoll being their most prominent players.
We battled gamely to the end, Jake with a two pointer and Darragh's free at the end brought the curtain down on proceedings.
Austin Stacks showed their mettle and, on this form, will be hard to dethrone. However, we can take heart from our display — we never gave up, and our younger players will have learned a great deal, not just from tonight’s game but also from last week’s triumph over Mid Kerry.
Team: Seán Collins, Seamus Cahill, TJ Heaphy, Matthew Higgins, Breandán Meehan, Ben Hanafin, Seán O'Mahony, Ben O'Brien, Jake Foley, Gearoid Meehan, Tomás Kennedy, Brayden Pierce, Odhran Kerins, Darragh O'Connor, Jake Hoare.
Scorers: Darragh O'Connor ( 0-04, 4fs), Jake Foley ( 0-03, 1pt,1p), Tomás Kennedy ( 0-03, 1 2ptf, 1p), Breandán Meehan, Odhran Kerins, Gearóid Meehan ( 0-01) each.
Subs used: Aaron Horgan, Ryan Houlihan.
We were just a point behind with eight minutes to go until half-time, but a quick scoring burst from Ronan Carroll and Ryan O'Driscoll saw Stacks raise two green flags. From there on it was always going to be an uphill battle, half time score 2-09 to 0-07.
We had good first half performances from Sean Collins, TJ Heaphy, Ben Hanafin, Jake Foley, Tomás Kennedy and Darragh O'Connor - these players have senior experience and it showed and for our younger players it was a steep learning curve.
Jake Foley had the opening score of the second half but we were unlucky to lose TJ to a black card but the sides were both on 14 when Jack Murphy saw red ( second yellow) for a foul on Tomás Kennedy - Darragh pointed the resultant free, 2-11 to 0-10 but Stacks then began to pull away, Ronan Carroll and Ryan O'Driscoll being their most prominent players.
We battled gamely to the end, Jake with a two pointer and Darragh's free at the end brought the curtain down on proceedings.
Austin Stacks showed their mettle and, on this form, will be hard to dethrone. However, we can take heart from our display — we never gave up, and our younger players will have learned a great deal, not just from tonight’s game but also from last week’s triumph over Mid Kerry.
Team: Seán Collins, Seamus Cahill, TJ Heaphy, Matthew Higgins, Breandán Meehan, Ben Hanafin, Seán O'Mahony, Ben O'Brien, Jake Foley, Gearoid Meehan, Tomás Kennedy, Brayden Pierce, Odhran Kerins, Darragh O'Connor, Jake Hoare.
Scorers: Darragh O'Connor ( 0-04, 4fs), Jake Foley ( 0-03, 1pt,1p), Tomás Kennedy ( 0-03, 1 2ptf, 1p), Breandán Meehan, Odhran Kerins, Gearóid Meehan ( 0-01) each.
Subs used: Aaron Horgan, Ryan Houlihan.
