The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
St. Flannan’s will face Cork’s St Francis College Rochestown in the Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster U19A Senior Football Championship) quarter finals.
The Ennis outfit finished second in their group as Clonakilty CC upset the odds to beat Tralee CBS in their final group game on Tuesday.
This meant that the three aforementioned sides all finished level on points with Clonakilty CC enjoying a score difference of +17, St. Flannans finished +6 while Tralee CBS +2 tally was not enough to avoid elimination.
Clonakilty’s huge opening round win over Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore (Kerry) was ultimately what helped them claim top spot but after a disappointing opening round defeat, St. Flannan’s will be glad to have progressed through to the last eight.
The Ennis side lost their opening round game to Tralee CBS, 1-9 to 0-10. St. Flannan’s came up against an inspired goalkeeping display from Sean Collins as an early major from former Kerry minor Colm Browne gave his side the advantage.
St. Flannan’s saw a penalty by Darren Cleary excellently saved by Collins as despite Darren Keane and Sean McMahon kicking eight points between them, it wasn’t enough for victory.
In their second game of the group, St. Flannan’s overcame Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore.
Four goals in a 15 minute period through Luca Cleary (two), Fionn Cotter and James Hegarty powered St. Flannan’s home despite them seeing a 10 point lead slashed to two by the end of the contest.
The final game of the group saw St. Flannan’s defeat Clonakilty CC 3-8 to 0-11. Despite the Cork side firing over six points in a row in a 20 minute first half spell, St. Flannan’s retained their composure and grew in to the contest thereafter.
A Paddy Nagle goal helped St. Flannan’s slash their arrears to just a point after 38 minutes. James Doherty made a sizeable impact off the bench plundering home two goals in the final quarter as it proved enough to help them reach the last eight.
The quarter finals are down for decision on Wednesday, January 18.
Corn Uí Mhuirí Quarter Finals
St Francis College Rochestown v St Flannan’s, CSN Bishopstown v Skibbereen CS, St Brendan’s Killarney v Hamilton HS Bandon, Clonakilty CC v Mercy Mounthawk
