Austin Stacks in pole position for Kerry Division 1 League title after derby win
Austin Stacks put themselves into pole position to be crowned Kerry SFL Division 1 champions in two weeks time as a second point from substitute Ben Murphy on the stroke of 60 minutes was enough to see them overcome Tralee rivals Kerins O'Rahillys 0-17 to 3-7 at Connolly Park.
Both sides were level at the top on 15 points coming into Sunday afternoon's encounter as Stacks chose to start Kerry panelist Armin Heinrich while Kerins O'Rahillys chose to play Kerry's late scoring substitute against Cavan, Tomas Kennedy, in the second period.
The first of two Paddy Lane two-pointers put Stacks 0-4 to 0-1 ahead after 12 minutes but Strand Road punished them on the break by scoring two goals from Daniel Bowler and Darragh O'Connor, although O'Rahillys would regret missing another two goal chances by full-time.
The visitors' advantage at half-time stood at 2-5 to 0-8 but O'Rahillys failed to score in the third quarter as five unanswered Stacks points put the hosts 0-13 to 2-6 in front.
Read More
Kerry SHC: Late drama as gutsy Tralee Parnells grab draw and history
Stacks had decided to chance some of their U21 contingent like Murphy, who face a Kerry U21 final meeting with St Kierans on Wednesday night. But it had the desired outcome although Ben Hanafin would soon end O'Rahillys' long wait for a score before Padraig Griffin got a third goal in the 52nd minute to put them 3-6 to 0-13 ahead.
It looked like Strand Road might push on to win but Murphy's first point along with Niall Fitzmaurice and Sean Quilter scores gave Stacks the lead again before Conor Hayes levelled the game again at 0-16 to 3-7 on 59 minutes.
Murphy remained composed though and he put Stacks back in front for the final time as four additional minutes saw Strand Road miss two potential levelers while substitute Ronan Carroll was dismissed late on for the hosts.
The result means Stacks only need to avoid defeat to Laune Rangers on the last day to win Division 1, a year after winning Division 2. Kerins O'Rahillys need to defeat already relegated Glenbeigh/Glencar in their last game and hope for a favour from the Killorglin side to force a playoff for the title.
Rangers are in the relegation zone themselves heading into the final day as they lost a relegation 'four-pointer' away to Rathmore, 2-16 to 1-10.
They must better fellow Mid Kerry side Beaufort's result on the final day to stand a chance of staying up as Beaufort had started the weekend with a 1-14 apiece draw away to Glenbeigh/Glencar.
In the last round, Beaufort face a Kilcummin side that are officially safe after a 0-23 to 1-20 draw at home to Glenflesk who are also now assured of another year in Division 1.
Spa gave their hopes of staying up a major boost by defeating Dr Crokes 2-13 to 0-17 meaning they only need to avoid defeat to Glenflesk on the last day to stay up.
Ballymacelligott, meanwhile, became the second side relegated from Division 1 despite putting up a good show in their return to their home pitch against Killarney Legion before going down by 0-22 to 2-14.
The result means their four year stay in the top flight will end in 2026.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘We were on a little boat with oars' – Ger Brennan admits Donegal storm sank Louth's summer
GER BRENNAN knew Louth would need a bigger boat when Donegal smelt blood in Ballybofey. The 2 Donegal sailed past Leinster champions Louth on Sunday afternoon 2 Louth manager Ger Brennan admitted his side were no match for the Ulster men But A devastating spell of 1-7 on the bounce blew Louth out of the water as Ciarán Thompson marked his 50th championship appearance with his first championship goal and hometown hero Oisín Gallen fired 0-5. Two-pointers from Michael Langan and Michael Murphy along with Peter Lynch's black card left the Wee County clinging for life before they gradually sunk out of the championship. And Brennan admits the high of winning their first Leinster title in 68 years caught up with them as they lost three out of their next four games to bow out. READ MORE ON GAA He said: 'It was a perfect storm. Unfortunately, we were the ones on the little boat with the oars. We couldn't survive it. Donegal just steamed through on a cruise liner and punished us for every error. 'Credit to them, very efficient, and they're a superb team. Second half, just the tempo, intensity, just upped it everywhere. 'Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, a great bunch of fellas, we just weren't able to live with it. 'In terms of a quick reflection as a management and a group of players, I think the winning of a Leinster final after 68 years, going into the All-Ireland Series took more of us than we realised.' Most read in GAA Football Louth were right in the game at the break thanks to 0-4 from the brilliant Burns and some poor shooting from the hosts. Donegal fired five wides and saw three shots drop short in the opening 35 alone, as their efficiency in front of goal let them down badly in a game of chess in the Ballybofey heat. 'Just in time for Father's Day' - Dublin GAA legends welcome the birth of precious baby daughter Defensive tactics prevailed early on as Brendan McCole put the shackles on Sam Mulroy, and Donal McKenny did the same to Murphy at the other end. But despite Donegal's poor shooting, Conor O'Donnell's goal was the difference right after Dara McDonnell's super score made it 0-6 apiece. Murphy rose highest to flick on Shaun Patton's bullet restart to Gallen, and Ciaran Moore's fist pass played the Carndonagh man clean through to smash home. It was harsh on a Louth team asking serious questions despite falling 0-5 to 0-1 behind on 17 minutes. Peadar Mogan, O'Donnell, Murphy, Oisín Gallen and the brilliant Finbarr Roarty all scored before Gallen fired a sitter wide when Michael Langan played him clean through. The next three scores read Burns, Burns, Burns as Donegal fell into Louth's burning ring of fire and Ryan McHugh and Thompson added to the misses at the river end. Gallen ended a 14-minute wait for a score to banish his missed goal chance, but Louth kept coming at them as McDonnell's boomer levelled it. With 32 minutes on the clock, Murphy made his mark when he got a hand to Patton's kick-out and Moore read O'Donnell's run to perfection for him to lash home. Burns had the final say of the half with his fourth from play, before a different Donegal emerged. Hugh McFadden began to lord the skies when he replaced Jason McGee, and his team-mates all moved up a gear to power home. Roarty, Mogan, Eoghan Bán Gallagher and Moore ran at their opponents constantly as Thompson and Murphy began to pull the strings inside. Gallen and Langan fired over before McFadden won the next kick-out for Murphy's epic two-pointer. It opened up a six-point gap before their second goal when Gallen fed Thompson and he lashed home from distance to make it 2-11 to 0-9. Louth were all at sea as Lynch was black carded for a late hit on Murphy and the relentless hosts kept turning the screw. Langan boomed over another two-pointer as Conor O'Donnell, Gallen, Daire Ó Baoill and Shane O'Donnell followed suit to finish the devastating 1-7 flurry as McGuinness rolled in the cavalry from the bench. Mulroy thought he had scored on the double at the other end, but Patton got a hand to it to reduce it to one as they failed to stay in the game. Donegal skipper Paddy McBrearty failed to score, but created the next 0-3 for Niall O'Donnell, Ó Baoill and the brilliant Caolan McColgan before McFadden completed the rout on the hooter. And McGuinness beamed as 12 of his players hit the mark to fire them back to Croker against Monaghan or Meath this weekend. He said: 'In terms of the team, it's very important now that we dial-in very quickly to the next challenge which is going to be Monaghan or Meath and we wait for that draw to come and then we can start the ball rolling again for another week. 'Very happy, very happy obviously, one game more than we wanted but at the same time we're happy to take the game. 'Obviously loads and bits of pieces to work on as well, particularly in the first half in terms of decision making and stuff. 'We were clinical and done a good job to get over the line and get over the line with 20 minutes to spare basically and give us a chance to get some players on the pitch as well that have been doing well in training. 'Odhran McFadden-Ferry has been doing well in training, Niall O'Donnell coming back into it again. Daire Ó Baoill I thought was very very good when he went on and Patrick when he went on as well, and I think Patrick might have had three assists. 'Whenever we got beat against Tyrone we knew we'd be in this situation potentially and we were targeting these three weekends. So we're delighted we have an opportunity at the third game now.' DONEGAL 2-22 LOUTH 0-12 DONEGAL: S Patton, F Roarty 0-2, B McCole, P Mogan 0-1; R McHugh, EB Gallagher, C Moore; J McGee, M Langan 0-3, 1tp; C McColgan 0-1, C Thompson 1-0, S O'Donnell 0-1; C O'Donnell 1-2, M Murphy 0-3, 1f, 1 tp, O Gallen 0-5. Subs: H McFadden 0-1 for McGee HT; D Ó Baoill 0-2 for McHugh 49; P McBrearty for Murphy 51, N O'Donnell 0-1 for C O'Donnell 54, O McFadden-Ferry for Gallagher 54 LOUTH: N McDonnell; D Nally, D Campbell, D McKenny; E Carolan, P Lynch 0-1, C Lennon 0-1; T Durnin, D McDonnell 0-1; C McKeever, C Downey 0-1, D Corcoran; P Matthews 0-1, S Mulroy 0-3, 1f, R Burns 0-4. Subs: C Grimes for Carolan HT; S Callaghan for Durnin 48, R Walsh for Matthews 51, C McArdle for Lennon 53, C Byrne for Burns 57 REFEREE: B Cassidy (Derry)
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Austin Stacks in pole position for Kerry Division 1 League title after derby win
Austin Stacks put themselves into pole position to be crowned Kerry SFL Division 1 champions in two weeks time as a second point from substitute Ben Murphy on the stroke of 60 minutes was enough to see them overcome Tralee rivals Kerins O'Rahillys 0-17 to 3-7 at Connolly Park. Both sides were level at the top on 15 points coming into Sunday afternoon's encounter as Stacks chose to start Kerry panelist Armin Heinrich while Kerins O'Rahillys chose to play Kerry's late scoring substitute against Cavan, Tomas Kennedy, in the second period. The first of two Paddy Lane two-pointers put Stacks 0-4 to 0-1 ahead after 12 minutes but Strand Road punished them on the break by scoring two goals from Daniel Bowler and Darragh O'Connor, although O'Rahillys would regret missing another two goal chances by full-time. The visitors' advantage at half-time stood at 2-5 to 0-8 but O'Rahillys failed to score in the third quarter as five unanswered Stacks points put the hosts 0-13 to 2-6 in front. Read More Kerry SHC: Late drama as gutsy Tralee Parnells grab draw and history Stacks had decided to chance some of their U21 contingent like Murphy, who face a Kerry U21 final meeting with St Kierans on Wednesday night. But it had the desired outcome although Ben Hanafin would soon end O'Rahillys' long wait for a score before Padraig Griffin got a third goal in the 52nd minute to put them 3-6 to 0-13 ahead. It looked like Strand Road might push on to win but Murphy's first point along with Niall Fitzmaurice and Sean Quilter scores gave Stacks the lead again before Conor Hayes levelled the game again at 0-16 to 3-7 on 59 minutes. Murphy remained composed though and he put Stacks back in front for the final time as four additional minutes saw Strand Road miss two potential levelers while substitute Ronan Carroll was dismissed late on for the hosts. The result means Stacks only need to avoid defeat to Laune Rangers on the last day to win Division 1, a year after winning Division 2. Kerins O'Rahillys need to defeat already relegated Glenbeigh/Glencar in their last game and hope for a favour from the Killorglin side to force a playoff for the title. Rangers are in the relegation zone themselves heading into the final day as they lost a relegation 'four-pointer' away to Rathmore, 2-16 to 1-10. They must better fellow Mid Kerry side Beaufort's result on the final day to stand a chance of staying up as Beaufort had started the weekend with a 1-14 apiece draw away to Glenbeigh/Glencar. In the last round, Beaufort face a Kilcummin side that are officially safe after a 0-23 to 1-20 draw at home to Glenflesk who are also now assured of another year in Division 1. Spa gave their hopes of staying up a major boost by defeating Dr Crokes 2-13 to 0-17 meaning they only need to avoid defeat to Glenflesk on the last day to stay up. Ballymacelligott, meanwhile, became the second side relegated from Division 1 despite putting up a good show in their return to their home pitch against Killarney Legion before going down by 0-22 to 2-14. The result means their four year stay in the top flight will end in 2026.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Are you ready for Strictly?' – Snooker star Shaun Murphy shows off amazing dance moves while onboard a ‘wine train'
SHAUN MURPHY could be getting ready for Strictly Come Dancing after showing off his dance moves on board a wine train. The snooker star, 42, enjoyed a well-earned break following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Advertisement 2 Shaun Murphy showed off his dance moves on a wine train Credit: instagram @shaunmurphy147 2 The snooker ace enjoyed himself on holiday in America Credit: instagram @shaunmurphy147 Murphy earned £327,900 to rank ninth in the one-year World Snooker Tour list. He suffered a And then the Englishman lost 4-3 to Mark Williams in the Helsinki International Cup in May. Now Murphy is home after letting his hair down with a holiday in America. Advertisement READ MORE IN SNOOKER The Magician took to Instagram with a pair of posts from the trip. The first was a picture of Murphy smiling in a restaurant earlier in June. He captioned it: "Off season going well - not sure I'll remember how to play snooker at this rate." Then the next post from Friday showed Murphy dancing along to music while riding along the road - with a drink in hand. Advertisement Most read in Snooker Exclusive CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He was decked out in a pink shirt, grey trousers and sunglasses as September by Earth, Wind & Fire pumped out of the speakers. Murphy wrote: "Just back from a two-week holiday in the States. Ronnie O'Sullivan is BACK with Strictly star Laila Rouass as they ditch Essex for shock new life abroad "I promise it wasn't all drinking and dancing. Advertisement "Looking forward to getting back on the baize!" And the brilliant video sparked plenty of reaction in the comments. BBC Sport's Jason Mohammad replied: "Scenes." Advertisement Another added: "Hate him or love him, but you cannot deny, he got the moves!!! Enjoy it!!!" A fourth typed: "I can't unsee this unfortunately." And a fifth quipped: "Are you ready for Strictly?" But upon his return home, Murphy did not have long to Advertisement The 2005 world champ took to Instagram again on Sunday afternoon with a photo of himself in action and wrote: "How is it time for the new season???? "Wuhan Qualifier, tomorrow 2.30pm (UK time)."
