Super Sunday GAA style is in store in Killarney next weekend with an exciting and high-profile championship double header fixed for Fitzgerald Stadium.
Fresh from their stunning 10-points victory away to a fancied Castleisland Desmonds in Sunday’s quarter-final, Fossa will take on the might of Austin Stacks in the semi-final of the intermediate club championship and an epic battle is envisaged.
David and Paudie Clifford will be hoping the lead their club to the decider but they won’t be short of support with the likes of Emmet O’Shea, Rian Colleran, Matthew Rennie, Ruairi Doyle and Cian O’Shea all outstanding on Sunday in the 5-17 to 1-19 extra time victory over a gutsy Desmonds’ side.
It was the host club, in fact, that looked the more likely all through normal time but timely goals from Matt Rennie and a classy effort from Emmet O’Shea had the game wrapped up before the greatest showman, David Clifford, set off on an incredible run from inside his own half, turned his marker inside-out and outside-in again before finishing to the net as only he can to prove, once again, that he is worth his weight in gold, not only to Fossa and Kerry but to the GAA as whole.
Attempting to stop Fossa from realising their intermediate final dream next Sunday will be Billy Lee’s Austin Stacks who,given that they have just dropped down from senior grade this season, will start as firm favourites following their 1-18 to 0-12 win against Glenflesk at the weekend but that, in itself, can be quite a disadvantage.
Still without Joe O’Connor, they have plenty of aces in their pack including the likes of Kerry panelists Jack O’Shea and Dylan Casey sharpshooter Seán Quilter, Shane O’Callaghan and Michael O’Donnell and they will certainly put it up to Adrian Sheehan’s charges in no uncertain terms.
Fossa v Austin Stacks will throw-in at 4.00pm and two hours earlier Killarney Legion and Milltown/Castlemnaine will do battle in the other semi-final.
The astute Peter Keane’s side made it to the last four with a hard-fought win away to Beaufort and although there was never much in the contest, Legion made the stronger start, leading 0-4 to 0-1 after 11 minutes.
This was due to the accuracy of Finbarr Murphy – very impressive this season – but the Mid Kerry side tried to make home advantage count when closing it to 0-7 to 0-6 by half-time.
The second half was an even tighter affair as the ante was upped and the sides were deadlocked at 0-10 each with 10 minutes to go.
But Eoghan O’Sullivan, Cian Gammell and substitute Jamie O’Sullivan struck for three vital points as the rock solid Legion defence held firm in the closing moments.
Awaiting them in the final will be Milltown/Castlemnaine who has a 0-19 to 0-14victory over Kilcummin in a dramatic extra time encounter in the quarter-final with Cian O’Connor pointing the way in a game that saw young Cillian Burke showcase all his skill.
Gavin Horan, Éanna O’Connor, Pa Wrenn, Cathal Moriarty and Dylan O’Neill all impressed for Milltown/Castlemaine.
The senior club final between Kenmare Shamrocks and Dingle, meanwhile, will be played at Austin Stack Park on Saturday at 7.00pm.
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