Frewan Cup final heartbreak for Flannan’s

Tralee CBS  1-11  St Flannan’s  1-10

There was heartbreak for St Flannan’s in the Frewan Cup, Munster Colleges Junior A Football, final at Croagh on Wednesday afternoon when they lost out by a point to Tralee.
In a game where the lead changed hands on a number of occasions, St Flannan’s were unlucky to lose out in the end. A few minutes before the final whistle, Ciarán Mac Mathuna’s effort rebounded off the post with the Tralee defence beaten.
The Éire Óg player opened the scoring in the early minutes with a point before Tralee struck for a rather fortunate goal followed by a point. The Ennis side responded impressively and scored the next four points through
Dara Kerin, Conor Clancy and Martin O’Leary (2) to go one in front. Tralee hit back with a brace before David Conroy goaled
for St Flannan’s to leave them 1-5 to 1-3 in front at half time after playing with the aid of the breeze.
St Flannan’s scored first in the second half when O’Leary converted another free to go three ahead. Tralee had the upperhand for the next ten minutes scoring three points to tie up the game. Tadhg Lynch restored the lead for St Flannan’s but Tralee responded with three points to lead 1-9 to 1-7.
A Barry Lynch point brought it back to the minimum before Mac Mathuna’s effort rebounded off the upright. Martin O’Leary was there to win possession but he was fouled and he pointed the subsequent free to tie up the game at 1-9 each.
Tralee fought back and scored two points before St Flannan’s captain Sean Corry had the final score of the game. St Flannan’s battled bravely in the closing
minutes in search of the leveller but Tralee held on for victory to claim the title for the 11th time in all and their first in three years.
Despite the result, this was a good performance from the Benny Duggan and Donal Vaughan managed St Flannan’s side for whom Shane O’Donnell, Conor Clancy, Sean Corry and Martin O’Leary stood out.

St Flannan’s: Killian Normoyle (Lissycasey); Conor Dolan (Éire Óg), Aidan McGuane (Kilmaley), Rohan Raferty (Michael Cusacks); Stephen Ward (Clarecastle), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg), Conor Clancy (Clarecastle) 0-1; Sean Corry (Éire Óg) capt, 0-1 Ciaran MacMathuna (Éire Óg) 0-1; David Conroy (Doora-Barefield) 1-0, Barry Lynch (Lissycasey) 0-1, Dara Kerin (Doora-Barefield) 0-1; Martin O’Leary (Kilmihil) 0-4, Eimhin Courtney (Éire Óg), Tadhg Lynch (Clondegad) 0-1.