ST Brendan’s College’s hopes of making it a hat-trick of Munster and All-Ireland SFC titles ended in a crushing fashion when they lost, for the first time in three years, to the Eamonn Fitzmaurice led Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney this afternoon.
The West Kerry school got off to a great start when last year’s Kerry minor goalkeeper Deividas Uosis, who lined out at full forward today, bulged the Sem net but the impressive Paul O’Shea almost immediately got Garry McGrath’s charges right back into it with a goal of his own.
St Brendan’s College had a four-point lead, 1-6 to 1-2, at the close of the first quarter but gritty Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne flexed their muscle and wing forward Niall Ó Géibheannaigh and midfielder Seamus Aghás both found the net to leave it 3-6 to 1-7 at half-time.
The second half was less lively but the hugely impressive Cian Gammell gave the Killarney school the tonic it needed with a rebounded penalty goal as the game entered its last 10 minutes and another goal, from corner forward Ciaran Flynn, from Firies, left just four points between the sides.
Paul O’Shea cut the gap to three – 3-11 to 3-8 – but, try though they might the Seam’s efforts fell just short and it is Eamonn Fitzmaurice that will be preparing for a clash with the Marc Ó Sé led CBS Tralee.
Scorers for St Brendan’s College: C Flynn 1-2. N McCarthy 0-5 (0-4 frees) P O’Shea 1-1, C Gammell (1-0).
Scorers for Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne: D Uosis (1-1, 1f) R Ó Beaglaoich (0-4, 3f), N Ó Géibheannaigh and S Ághas (1-0 each), D Ó Géibheannaigh (0-3), C Ó Failbhe (0-2) and F Sauerland (0-1)
St Brendan’s College: Robert Osborne (Legion), Sean O’Doherty (Glenflesk), Lorcan MacMonagle (Dr Crokes), Darren Looney (Legion), Mark Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes), Cian Gammell (Legion), Evan Cosgrave (Firies), Jake Flynn (Firies), Darragh Lyne (Legion), Niall McCarthy (Spa), Patrick D’Arcy (Glenflesk), Micheál Devlin (Legion), Barry Keane (Listry), Paul O’Shea (Kilcummin), Ciaram Flynn (Firies),
Subs: Darragh Donohoe (Firies) for Cosgrave; Michael Lenihan (Dr Crokes) for D’Arcy; Gary Ó Connor (Dr Crokes) for O’Doherty; Cian O’Shea (Fossa) for Keane; Josh Fleming (Dr Crokes) for Donohoe.
Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne: E Ó Brosnacháin, C Ó Flannúra, T Ó Dubháin, S Óg Ó Mórain, C Ó Muircheartaigh, G Ó Leidhinn, P Ó Cathalláin, F Sauerland, S Aghás, N Ó Géibheannaigh, C Ó Failbhe, D Uosis, D Ó Géibheannaigh. C Firtéar, R Ó Beaglaoich.
Subs: S Ó Conchúir for Ághas; Colin Ó Muircheartaigh for Ó Mórain; A Ó Dubhain for Firtear; C Firtear for Ó Failbhe.
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