Match report and video highlights (below, courtesy of CBS The Green) of Kerry Colleges Under 18½ – O’Sullivan Cup Final…
St Brendans Killarney 1-19
C.B.S The Green 1-7
A damp and wet John Mitchels GAA grounds, hosted a brilliant battle between two of Kerry’s elite level teams, St Brendans Killarney and C.B.S The Green on Wednesday.
The prize at stake; the O’Sullivan Cup. Although the final score suggested a comfortable victory for the Killarney outfit, the game was played at a fierce and fiery pace in which both teams struggled to stamp a foot-hold in the game.
C.B.S started the brighter of the two sides and within a matter of seconds had registered the opening score of the game.
A surging solo run from the lightning quick Stefan Okunbor split the St Brendan defence and he didn’t disappoint as he finished with a point to give the Tralee team an early lead.
The Sem though, responded immensely well scoring five unanswered points from Kerry Minor Micháel Burns, corner forward Michael Foley and full-forward Ronan Buckley.
The score after ten minutes read 0-5 to 0-1 in St Brendan’s favour. A point apiece from the ever prominent corner forward William Hurley and star forward Ivan Parker ensured that the Tralee side wouldn’t lie down and succumb to defeat just yet.
The atmosphere and intensity quietened hugely, and the game went through a period of unsightly football as both teams struggled to keep their footing on a wet and slippery surface.
The C.B.S lacked hunger and determination and in the 24th minute disaster struck for the Tralee team.
St Brendans wing back Gavin White capitalised on a gaping hole in the CBS defence by running through to strike a goal for Killarney, leaving the Tralee side trailing by 1-6 to 0-3 in the closing stages of the first half.
Further points by Sem forward Ronan Buckley, meant that the score at half time read 1-9 to 0-4 for the Killarney men.
The Killarney side started the second half as they finished the first, kicking six points in short order from Micháel Burns, Evan Cronin and Matt Rennie to pull ahead to a 14 point lead; 1-15 to 0-4.
Despite the massive deficit, CBS never lay down and found a glimmer of hope in the 43rd minute. A high ball into the box by Ivan Parker was fielded brilliantly by Stefan Okunbor who fought off the challenge of Shane Courtney to smash the ball to the St Brendans net.
Game on! Two more points from Michael O’Donnell and William Hurley reduced the margin to seven points and the CBS were rocking.
It seemed every loose ball and break was falling to a blue and gold jersey. The Tralee side continued to surge with chances falling to Jack O’Shea and Calvin Foley narrowly missing the targets.
But the true class of the Killarney side was on full display as they coolly and calmly repelled the CBS onslaught.
The Sem survived and wrapped the game up in the later stages of the game with points from Liam Kearney, Evan Cronin and David Clifford, followed by two points from substitute Ciarán Spillane.
It’s back to the drawing board for CBS coaches Tim McMahon, John O’Mahoney and Sean Og, while St Brendans are heavy favourites the win both The Corn Uí Mhuirí and the Hogan cup having won their first silverware of the year with this victory today.
Tralee CBS team: Eoghan O’Brien(Churchill), Dylan Ronan (Keirns O’Rahillys), Cian Sheridan (John Mitchels), Gary Nolan (KoR), Michael Reidy (Ballymac), Jack O’Shea (Austin Stacks), Ben O’Neil (KoR), Micheal O’Donnell (AS), Calvin Foley (AS), Ger O’Conner (Na Gaeil), Stefan Okunbar (Na Gaeil), Tomas O’Conner (Ballymac), William Hurley (St Pats), Ivan Parker (Churchill, Capt), Jack Morgan (AS). Subs: Sean Mortimer (Churchill), Tommy Lynch (St Pats), Aaron O’Keeffe (John Mitchels), Alan Falvey (Annascaul).
Scorers: Stefan Okunbar (1-1), William Hurley (0-2, 1f), Ivan Parker (0-2, 2f), Jack O’Shea (0-1), Michael O’Donnell (0-1).