Short a number of regulars — most notably full back Donagh Buckley and wing back Gearóid Dillane — we nonetheless produced a competitive first‑half display into the breeze, built on strong work from our half‑back line and sharp inter‑play up front from Conor Hayes, Nick Lacey, and Darragh O’Connor.
Stacks opened the scoring, but our response was immediate. A slick move, with Nick Lacey heavily involved, carved open the defence and Conor Hayes finished coolly past Michael Tansley to raise the game’s first green flag. From there the contest settled into a rhythm, each side enjoying spells of control. For Strand Road, Barry John, Shane McElligott (excellent in the unfamiliar No. 6 role), and Brayden Pierce were prominent; Stacks leaned on their physicality around the middle, where Greg Horan, David Fitzmaurice, and Ronan Shanahan exerted influence.
Trailing by just two at the break, 0‑10 to 1‑05, management would have been satisfied heading to the dressing room with the breeze to come.
However, the exertions of the opening half seemed to take their toll. Stacks seized control on the restart, tagging on two quick points before veteran substitute Shane O’Callaghan found the bottom corner to deliver a decisive blow. From there we struggled to rediscover the zip and cohesion that marked our first‑half performance.
It fell to Darragh O’Connor to keep the scoreboard moving, landing a pair of well‑struck frees late on, but Stacks were full value for their win as they closed out the game with authority.
One clear positive, however, was the invaluable experience being gained by our younger players. For Ruairí Kennedy, Brayden Pierce, and Nick Lacey, this is their first real exposure to the demands of Division 1 football, and each of them is growing game by game. These minutes — earned in tough, physical contests like this one — will stand to them and to the club as the season develops.
With a two‑week break ahead, the hope now is that injuries clear and key players return, allowing us to field a stronger, more settled side as the season unfolds.
Stacks opened the scoring, but our response was immediate. A slick move, with Nick Lacey heavily involved, carved open the defence and Conor Hayes finished coolly past Michael Tansley to raise the game’s first green flag. From there the contest settled into a rhythm, each side enjoying spells of control. For Strand Road, Barry John, Shane McElligott (excellent in the unfamiliar No. 6 role), and Brayden Pierce were prominent; Stacks leaned on their physicality around the middle, where Greg Horan, David Fitzmaurice, and Ronan Shanahan exerted influence.
Trailing by just two at the break, 0‑10 to 1‑05, management would have been satisfied heading to the dressing room with the breeze to come.
However, the exertions of the opening half seemed to take their toll. Stacks seized control on the restart, tagging on two quick points before veteran substitute Shane O’Callaghan found the bottom corner to deliver a decisive blow. From there we struggled to rediscover the zip and cohesion that marked our first‑half performance.
It fell to Darragh O’Connor to keep the scoreboard moving, landing a pair of well‑struck frees late on, but Stacks were full value for their win as they closed out the game with authority.
One clear positive, however, was the invaluable experience being gained by our younger players. For Ruairí Kennedy, Brayden Pierce, and Nick Lacey, this is their first real exposure to the demands of Division 1 football, and each of them is growing game by game. These minutes — earned in tough, physical contests like this one — will stand to them and to the club as the season develops.
With a two‑week break ahead, the hope now is that injuries clear and key players return, allowing us to field a stronger, more settled side as the season unfolds.
