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A report from CBS Tralee on Wednesday’s Munster Schools Under 18½ Corn Uí Mhuirí Quarter-Final at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney…
Tralee CBS 2-10
Intermediate School Killorglin 1-10
THE Green progressed to the semi-finals of the Corn Uí Mhuirí following a titanic tussle against a Killorglin side who were in the ascendency for large spells of this game.
The Green raced into an early three point lead by virtue of a goal strike from towering full forward Geared Fitzgerald, but this was quickly cancelled as a dropped ball from an under hit free was buried to the Green net.
Playing with a slight breeze, the Killorglin men were good value for a 1-6 to 1-3 lead at the interval.
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Indeed their dominance was such during this spell that a three point cushion at the half way mark was to the prove their undoing as they failed to convert a glut of chances, mainly thanks the resolute rearguard of Tommy Lynch, Jack Myers and Brandon Patterson for the Green.
The Green offensive action in the opening spell was at best sporadic. Sean Donnellan, Austin Clifford, John Walsh and the roving David Fitzmaurice were crucial in keeping the ship afloat as the class of Michael Kelleher up top kept the scoreline within reach.
Into the second half and early Kelleher and Eoin Greaney points reduced the deficit, but this was quickly cancelled out and added to as Killorglin stretches the lead to four and looked on course for victory.
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Crucially however, The Green had reserved an ace in the pack as they sprung Jason Mortimer from the bench and his impact was immediate as he goaled to reduce the deficit to a minimum on 42 mins.
With their tails up, the Green drove on and two marvellous points from the outstanding Kieran Dwyer from centre back put them in front going into the final ten minutes.
Killorglin however weren’t without chances and a goal line clearance from Patterson and a point blank save from Shane Foley kept the Tralee boys’ lead intact.
With Tomas O’Connor getting a stranglehold at midfield and Tom Hoare growing in confidence, Joseph O’Connor galloped through for another point and despite a late flurry from Killorglin which failed to land the necessary three pointer, a late Kelleher free gave The Green a three point win.
The Green will be thrilled to have qualified for the final four of this competition, despite performing poorly for large spells of this quarter final.
A semi-final date with Coláiste Críost Rí on February 4th will further test a resolve that hasn’t been found wanting yet.
Team
1. Shane Foley (Kerins O’Rahillys)
2. Brandon Patterson (Austin Stacks)
3. Tommy Lynch (St Pats, Blennerville)
4. Jack Myers (John Mitchels)
5. John Walsh (Knocknagoshel)
6. Kieran Dwyer (St Pats, Blennerville)
7. Austin Clifford (Churchill)
8. Tomas OConner (Ballymac)
9. Joseph OConner (Austin Stacks)
10. Sean Donnellan (Churchill)
11. Tom Hoare (Kerins O’Rahillys)
12. David Fitzmaurice (Austin Stacks)
13. Eoin Greaney (St Pats, Blennerville)
14. Gearoid Fitzgerald (Austin Stacks)
15. Michael Kelliher (John Mitchels)
Subs Used
Jason Mortimer (Churchill) 40mins
Michael Hoare (Ballymac) 52mins
Michael Scanlon (Castlegregory) 55mins
Subs not Used
Aaron Roche (Kerins ORahillys)
Josh OKeeffe (Ballymac)
David Couchman (Austin Stacks)
Darragh Regan (Ballymac)
Cillian ORiordan (St Pats, Blennerville)
Dylan Burns (Na Gaeil)
Sean Hamilton (Churchill)
Joe Looby (Austin Stacks)
