Three was a magic number for Austin Stacks for whom Conor Jordan's third-minute goal put the Tralee side on their way to a three-in-a-row of Kerry senior club championship titles.
The scenesetter for the full county championship which begins in a fortnight, Austin Stacks again emerged as the county’s leading club, beating Kenmare Shamrocks in the decider for the second year running.
Kieran Donaghy lasted the duration at Fitzgerald Stadium and was involved in Jordan's early goal as Stacks eventually won out by 1-16 to 1-11.
Current Kerry star Sean O’Shea’s 1-5 haul for Kenmare included a 50th minute goal that cut his team’s deficit in half, from six points to three.
But that was as close as Kenmare came to reeling in Stacks who will return to action next Saturday week for a county championship Round 1 tie against holders East Kerry.
In neighbouring Cork, Nemo Rangers crashed out of the county championship following a 1-10 to 0-11 defeat to a youthful Douglas.
Daniel Harte’s 58th minute goal was crucial for Douglas who advance to the semi-finals as Group A winners.
As for Nemo, their hopes of a three-in-a-row of county crowns are over despite leading by 0-6 to 0-3 at half-time, wasteful play ultimately costing them dearly.
There was a similar story in London where Fulham Irish, crowned 2020 champions earlier this year like Nemo, also relinquished their crown.
And just like Douglas, St Kiernans celebrated a rare win as they pulled off a 1-13 to 0-12 county final success in Ruislip, securing just their second ever title.
Chris Farley’s 45th minute goal for St Kiernans will go down as the game’s decisive score though the occasion may be remembered for indiscipline.
Remarkably, five red cards were brandished before the second-half began following a tunnel melee. Three Fulham Irish players were dismissed and a fourth walked late on while St Kiernans had two players sent to the line.
At one stage in the second-half, due to a mixture of red and black card dismissals, Fulham Irish had 10 players on the field with St Kiernans marginally better off with 12.
Veteran Offaly attacker Niall McNamee was among the goalscorers as Rhode surged past Durrow 3-9 to 0-10 to set up an October 31 county final date with Tullamore.
Anton Sullivan and Aaron Kellaghan also registered majors while Tullamore advanced on Saturday with a 4-10 to 0-14 win over Ferbane.
Clones will host a double header of Monaghan semi-finals next Sunday with Truagh Gaels v Ballybay first up before the meeting of Inniskeen and Scotstown.
The Fermanagh semi-final draw has paired Enniskillen with Belnaleck while Derrygonnelly will play Ederney or Kinawley. In Donegal, Naomh Conaill will take on Kilcar next Sunday while St Eunan’s advanced to play St Michael’s.
In hurling, there was a sweet Roscommon senior final success for Athleague who overcame fellow parish side Tremane 3-12 to 0-15. Robbie Fallon, Cormac Kelly and Eoin Ward struck the majors.
Extra-time was needed at Parnell Park where county football star Con O’Callaghan and David Treacy hit the insurance points for Cuala in a 1-27 to 0-28 quarter-final win over Ballyboden St Endas.
O’Callaghan thought he’d struck the winner late in normal time but Paul Ryan sent the game to additional time with a 64th minute equaliser for ‘Boden.
The subsequent semi-final draw threw up the following pairings; Cuala v Kilmacud Crokes and Na Fianna v Lucan Sarsfields.
Kildalkey and Ratoath are through to the Meath semi-finals with Trim, Kiltale, Dunboyne and Killyon into the quarter-finals.
Substitute Tony Kelly helped Ballyea overcome Kilmaley 0-17 to 0-16 in the Clare SHC, securing the last semi-final place following previous wins for Eire Og, Newmarket-on-Fergus and Inagh-Kilnamona.
Monday night’s Tipperary semi-final draw will include holders Kiladangan, Borrisileigh, Thurles Sarsfields and Loughmore-Castleiney.
