Paul Geaney Stars as Dingle End 77-Year Kerry Championship Famine

Dingle have finally ended a 77-year famine to win the Kerry Senior Football Championship, with a famous 2-13 to 1-12 victory over Austin Stacks at Austin Stack Park.

Led by captain and man-of-the-match Paul Geaney, who bagged an inspirational 2-2, Dingle overturned a four-point half-time deficit to capture the county title for the first time since 1948.

In the aftermath, Paul Geaney’s voice was thick with emotion as he reflected on a decade-long journey with this group of players:

Some emotions lifted there when the hooter went and I knew that by the scoreboard they couldn't get us, even a goal didn't matter so it's just its own emotion and I just can't wait to join the lads there.

About ten years ago we decided as a group that the sky was the limit and it took maybe five or six years to get our act together. We’ve been knocking at the door for the last five consistently, and it’s just unbelievable. It’s a great day for Dingle.

Dingle had trailed 0-8 to 0-4 at the break, playing into the wind. But they produced a powerful second-half performance, sparked by Geaney’s two goals, points from Tom O’Sullivan and Conor Geaney, and a composed display from Mark O’Connor who returned strongly after a black card in the first half.

A Cian Purcell penalty briefly gave Stacks hope with five minutes to go, but Geaney’s second goal moments later settled the contest once and for all.

There was another big showing from AFL star Mark O’Connor, who returned from a first-half black card to steady midfield and help Dingle wrestle control down the stretch.

Despite a strong showing from Joe O’Connor, AFL hopeful Ben Murphy and an early lead for Austin Stacks, the Tralee outfit couldn’t match Dingle’s energy and efficiency in the second half, as the men from the west pulled away to make history.