Flannan’s lose out to favourites Tralee

Tralee CBS  1-15

St Flannan’s  1-12

IN a most entertaining Corn Uí Mhuirí, Munster colleges senior football quarter-final at Glin on Wednesday, favourites Tralee CBS had to pull out all the stops to overcome St Flannan’s.

Level at 1-10 each with 12 minutes remaining, there were a number of anxious faces amongst the Tralee supporters. St Flannan’s had the assistance of the breeze in the second half and were causing problems for the Kerry side in a number of vital areas.
However, when the pressure came on, Tralee responded impressively and four points in eight minutes turned this tie their way.
St Flannan’s, to their credit, responded again to cut the margin to two and should have been awarded a free when Conor Cleary was held up as he tried to break through. Referee Michael Meade had other ideas and waved play on. Tralee won possession and launched an attack, which ended with a Niall Sheehy point to seal their place in the semi-final.
The sides exchanged points in the early minutes before the winners edged one in front. It took a great save by Tralee goalie Peter Nammock to deny Martin O’Leary a goal in the fifth minute and Tralee took inspiration from this and struck for three quick points to lead 0-5 to 0-2 by the 10th minute.
With St Flannan’s winning the midfield battle, thanks to the fielding of Alan O’Neill and the excellent play of Tony Kelly, the Clare side fought back and were just a point adrift, 0-5 to 0-6, with five minutes to go to half-time. At the break, it was 0-8 to 0-6 in the winners’ favour and St Flannan’s had reason to be confident, as they would have the assistance of the wind in the second half.
They scored first on the resumption but were then dealt a big blow when Shane O’Callaghan goaled for Tralee after Jamie Moriarty’s effort had been smothered by the defence.
Within a minute, St Flannan’s had cancelled out this score when Cathal Doohan pounced to punish a defensive error by Tralee. His left-footed strike to the net left the minimum between the teams again.
It was point-for-point from here on and Martin O’Leary tied up the game in the 18th minute with a fine effort.
Sensing danger, Tralee stepped up a gear and three points from the classy Jamie Moriarty, a member of the Kerry minor side, helped push them four clear with as many minutes remaining. St Flannan’s fought to the end but time wasn’t on their side and Tralee held on for a narrow victory.
Gearóid O’Connell, Eoin Enright, Alan O’Neill, Tony Kelly, Martin O’Leary and Conor Cleary were always prominent for Flannan’s.
Lawrence Bastible, Robert O’Shea, Niall Sheehy and Jamie Moriarty were best for the winners.

St Flannan’s: Joe Neylon (Clondegad); Manus Malone (Corofin), Gearóid Ryan (Clarecastle), Brian Clancy (Doora-Barefield); Eoin Enright (Kilmaley), Jarlath Colleran (Doora-Barefield), Gearóid O’Connell (Ballyea); Alan O’Neill (Doora-Barefield), Tony Kelly (Ballyea, 0-4); Luke Brannock (Doora-Barefield), Anthony Downes (Kilmihil), Conor Cleary (Miltown, 0-3); Martin O’Leary (Kilmihil, 0-2), Cathal Doohan (Lissycasey, 1-1), Jamie Malone (Corofin, 0-2).
Subs: Enda Boyce (Cratloe) for Ryan (23 minutes), Barry Lynch (Lissycasey) for Downes (40 minutes), Jack Browne (Ballyea) for Colleran (53 minutes) and Conor O’Gorman (Clarecastle) for Brannock (55 minutes).