Spa welcomed Austin Stacks on Saturday evening in final round of the 2022 Senior Co League. It was a close competitive game throughout with the Tralee side edging the win by a single point.
Cian Tobin and Evan Cronin exchanged early scores with Michael O’Donnell and David Mannix to make it level at 0-2 apiece after the opening ten minutes. Stacks jumped ahead in the second quarter with points from Jordan Kissane and David Mannix (2f) while Ryan O’Carroll replied for Spa. A goal was almost on the cards for the visitors just before the half time break but James Devane pulled off a great save in the Spa goal. Half time Spa 0-3 Austin Stacks 0-5.
Two super scores from Michael Foley and Evan Cronin early in the second half had the sides level once more. There was plenty of back and forth, points from Evan Cronin, Michael Foley and Cian Tobin matched each time by Tralee’s Conor Horan, David Mannix and Michael O’Gara to make 0-8 apiece going in to the final ten minutes.
The Spa goal came in the 52nd minute, Michael Foley working the ball in and laid off to David Spillane who rattled the next. Conor Horan added a point for Tralee before they were soon threatening the Spa goal, the first shot coming back off the crossbar but on the rebound Gearoid Fitzgerald slotted past the Spa keeper in the 56th minute. Michael O’Donnell added another for Stacks while Conor Stack with a long range effort pointed the last score. Final score Spa 1-9 Austin Stacks 1-10.
Well done to our senior panel and the management - Aidan O'Shea, Aidan Cahill, Alfie Giles and Patrick Cronin - on a successful League campaign to finish in 5th place in Division 1.
Wishing a speedy recovery to all our injured players.
Senior Club, County and District Championship dates to be confirmed.
Spa: James Devane, Eric O'Donoghue, Eoin Fitzgerald, Liam Spillane, Eoin Cronin, Dan O'Donoghue, Ryan O'Carroll (0-1), Gary Vaughan, Ciaran Spillane, Cian Murphy, Evan Cronin (0-3), Conor Stack (0-1), David Spillane (1-0), Michael Foley (0-2), Cian Tobin (0-2). Subs: Niall McCarthy, Lee Downing, Eoghan Cronin
Austin Stacks: Wayne Guthrie, Colin Griffin, Barry Shanahan, Joey Nagle, Eoghan Carroll, Ronan Shanahan, Adam Curran, Michael O'Gara (0-1), Michael O'Donnell (0-2), Armin Heinrich, David Mannix (0-4), Conor Horan (0-3), Jordan Kissane, Gearoid Fitzgerald (1-0), Cian Purcell
Referee: Eddie Walsh (Rathmore)
Photos: Anne Holland
