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A report from Tralee CBS on the Munster Schools Under 18½ Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final 2nd Replay at Ballyvourney on Saturday with photos by Adrienne McLoughlin…
Tralee CBS 1-10
Coláiste Críost Rí 0-11
Action from the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Tralee CBS have finally progressed to the final of the Corn Uí Mhuirí at the third attempt as they saw off Coláiste Críost Rí following yet another rip-roaring tussle in Ballyvourney.
The Green tore into their opponents from the outset and were four up within five minutes with Tom Hoare claiming both a goal and a point.
Looking fresh and energetic the Green were totally dominant in the opening half with wing backs Michael Scanlon and John Walsh particularly impressive.
Indeed Críost Rí only registered one point in the opening 25 minutes with The Green adding three more from Michael Kelliher (2) and another from the marauding Tomas O’Connor.
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Tommy Lynch, Brandon Patterson and particularly Niall O’Mahoney had the Críost Rí attack well marshalled throughout this opening half, but two late Cork scores left The Green four up at the interval 1-4 to 0-3.
Such was the history of the tie that a Críost Rí comeback was inevitable and they hit three without reply to reduce the margin to one with 20 minutes left.
Action from the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
The Green needed a break to stem the tide and a black card for Críost Rí star forward Cillian Myers Murray was pivotal to the outcome.
The Green reestablished a three point lead with two frees from Kelleher and Hoare and one from Joseph O’Connor, now repositioned to the edge of the square, put The Green four up again.
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Again one always felt that Críost Rí would rise again and two more points reduced the difference to two, but Joseph O’Connor added another and with ten minutes left, victory looked increasingly likely.
Yet another Críost Rí point might have signalled another grandstand finish, but the Green management however had an ace to play yet, as they introduced the towering 15 year old Sean Quilter, unused thus far in the competition.
He lifted the siege with two inspirational catches to set up man of the match Michael Scanlon for the final Green score.
Another point for Críost Rí reduced it to two but the final whistle came shortly after and euphoric scenes broke out all over the pitch and amongst the sizeable Tralee following contingent.
Action from the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
The Green then are back in the big time as they will contest their first Corn Uí Mhuirí final since 2008 (last victory 2007) when they face off against All-Ireland champions St Brendan’s Killarney next Saturday at Austin Stack Park at 4.30pm.
They will go into this one as big underdogs, but that will suit a team that continues to confound analysis to keep doing enough to keep what is now their ‘Corn Uí Mhuirí odyssey’ alive.
SCROLL DOWN FOR MANY MORE PHOTOS FROM ADRIENNE McLOUGHLIN
Team
1 Shane Foley (Kerins O’Rahillys)
2 Brandon Patterson (Austin Stacks)
3 Niall OMahoney (Na Gaeil)
4 Jack Myers (John Mitchels)
5 John Walsh (Knocknagoshel)
6 Kieran Dwyer(St Pats, Blennerville)
7 Sean Donnellan (Churchill)
8 Tomas OConner (Ballymac, 0-1)
9 Joseph OConner (Austin Stacks, 0-2)
10 Tommy Lynch (St Pats, Blennerville)
11 Tom Hoare (Kerins O’Rahillys, 1-2, 2f)
12 Michael Scanlon (Castlegregory, 0-1)
13 Daire Keane (Ballymac)
14 Gearoid Fitzgerald (Austin Stacks)
15 Michael Kelliher (John Mitchels, 0-4, 1f)
Subs Used
Sean Quilter (Austin Stacks, 48mins)
Austin Clifford (Churchill, 56mins)
Aaron Roche (Kerins O’Rahillys, 57mins)
Subs not Used
Eoin Greaney (St Pats, Blennerville)
David Fitzmaurice (Austin Stacks)
Josh OKeeffe (Ballymac)
David Couchman (Austin Stacks)
Darragh Regan (Ballymac)
Cillian ORiordan (St Pats, Blennerville)
Dylan Burns (NaGaeil)
Michael Hoare (Ballymac, injured)
Sean Hamilton (Churchill, injured)
Jason Mortimer (Churchill, injured)
Action from the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
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Action from the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Action from the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
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Action from the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Action from the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Action from the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
The CBS panel before the game. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Munster Council gate officials Tommy Moynihan and Dan Connolly with 3 assistants.
Tony O’Keeffe, Tim McMahon, Fergus Clifford and Eoghan Galvin. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Tralee CBS fans at the game. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
CBS fans at the game. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
Taking a break from politics to support his alma mater (Criost Ri) and club (Nemo Rangers) was Michael Martin T.D. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
CBS fans at the game on Saturday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
