October 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\nThe west Kerry men were anything but slick in a first half where they lost Mark O\u2019Connor to an early black card and Paul Geaney to a bang on the head \u2013 both for ten minutes. But they were crabbit and dogged and as they went down the tunnel must have been well pleased with their interval declaration, 0-4 to 0-8.<\/p>\n
Stacks kicked an early two pointer via Armin Heinrich and another monster conversion from Joe O\u2019Connor in the 11th minute. They were their only efforts from outside the arc in the first period. Paddy Lane looked sharp and nimble inside, and the score of the half came when Joe O\u2019Connor fizzed a 50m delivery into Lane who turned with delightful economy to put the Tralee men 0-7 to 0-2 up after 19 minutes.<\/p>\n
Mention too for teenage midfielder Ben Murphy, who landed two fine first half score. If you listened closely enough to the applause for same, you might have detected a few \u2018He\u2019ll be some loss\u2019 headshakes. Brisbane and the AFL beckons.<\/p>\n
That Dingle would outscore the Rock in the remaining ten minutes of the half was a damning reflection of Stacks\u2019 territorial supremacy, Paul Geaney reducing the lead to four points just before the hooter.<\/p>\n
But whatever Dingle could do against the wind and rain, Stacks could try likewise and with Dylan Casey an early second half introduction, they dominated the initial tempo after the break. Jordan Kissane knocked over a point that felt like more, but Dingle found their feet and Conor Geaney\u2019s two point free in the 39th minute gave them the foothold, and the momentum, they needed. Stacks no longer had their pursuers at arm\u2019s length \u2013 more like a hand apart \u2013 but in Murphy they had lively ammunition, and his third point restored a two point lead, 0-10 to 0-8 with 43 minutes gone.<\/p>\n
It was still two when Conor Geaney went, and failed, with a two point attempt for a Stacks three up breach, but three minutes later their uncertainty evaporated. A long delivery from Tom O\u2019Sullivan seeking Paul Geaney \u2013 how many times have the worked that tandem in their careers \u2013 ended up nestling in the Stacks\u2019 net for the final\u2019s first goal. Replays showed it was anything but fortuitous. O\u2019Sullivan won the loose ball off the restart to point and make it 1-10 to 0-11. Dylan Geaney nailed a crucial two point free \u2013 1-4 without reply now – to give Dingle room to focus on controlling the clock, but the edginess was back in the final on 55 minutes when Stacks\u2019 Colm Browne was fouled by Dingle keeper and Cian Purcell drilled home the penalty \u2013 1-13 to 1-11.<\/p>\n
A break in play for an injury to Stacks defender Colin Griffin gave Dingle the time and space they needed to clear their head, not that Paul Geaney needed any time-out.<\/p>\n
He was sitting in wait, with history in his crosshairs. \u201cThe Bishop,\u201d he said in his victory speech, \u201cis finally coming back west.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Scorers for Dingle: P Geaney (2-2), C Geaney (0-4, 1 2pf), D Geaney (0-3, 1 2ptf), T O\u2019Sullivan (0-2), B O\u2019Connor, T de Br\u00fan (0-1 each).<\/p>\n
\n Scorers for Austin Stacks: B Murphy (0-3), C Purcell (1-0, pen), P Lane (0-3, 1 free), A Heinrich, J O\u2019Connor (0-2 each), J Kissane, G Horan (0-1 each) DINGLE: G Curran; B O\u2019Connor, P O\u2019Connor, T O\u2019Sullivan; T.L O\u2019Sullivan, C Flannery, A. O\u2019Connor; M O\u2019Connor, B O\u2019Connor; T de Br\u00fan, P Geaney (capt), N Geaney; C Geaney, F Flaherty, D Geaney.<\/p>\n
\n Subs for Dingle: (D O\u2019Sullivan for P Geaney, temp 7), N O Riain for B O\u2019Connor, M Geaney for T de Brun (both 51), C Bambury for C Geaney (59), S Og Moran for TL O\u2019Sullivan (60).<\/p>\n
\n AUSTIN STACKS: M Tansley; C Griffin, J Nagle, N Fitzmaurice; E Carroll, A Heinrich, R Shanahan (capt); J O\u2019Connor, B Murphy; M O\u2019Donnell, C Horan, D Kirby; P Lane, C Purcell, J Kissane.<\/p>\n
\n Subs for Stacks: J O\u2019Shea for Carroll (half time), D Casey for Fitzmaurice (36), G Horan for C Horan (41), R Carroll for Kissane (51), C Browne for O\u2019Donnell (54), Temp: J Murphy Griffin (59)\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Referee: S Joy (Laune Rangers).<\/p>\n