Flannan's survive as Birr stagelate rally
Comfortable leaders at 2-11 to 0-11 with seven minutes to go, Flannan's looked on their way to a final meeting with St Kieran's of Kilkenny, but in the end were grateful for the referee's final whistle as beaten Leinster finalists made a bold bid for the spoils.
Hurling with supreme confidence all over the field, everything looked to be going according to the script for St Flannan's as they hit Birr early and often with scores to lead 2-8 to 0-6 at the break.
And it might have been more but for a superb save by Birr 'keeper Deven Beale from Bernard Gaffney in the 25th minute. Ultimately, Flannan's owed their success to an outstanding defence which was particularly resolute in the first half.
John Moloney was a colossus at full back, Seamus Hickey lorded it at centre back and Ciaran O'Doherty who found himself all alone as Birr opted to play only two players in the full forward line, did a great job as sweeper.
Flannan's, with the aid of the strong wind, wasted a lot of chances to be completely out of sight, and hit 11 wides to just one for their opponents.
Ian Colleran who was a late replacement at left corner forward more than justified his inclusion with his side's opening goal after 10 minutes, but the Birr keeper was very slow off his line to Gaffney's long delivery.
Ger Arthur added a second and the superb free taking of Colin Ryan had the Munster champions firmly on top as they turned to face the rising wind.
Birr improved on the changeover and with Brian Walkins hurling majestically at wing back and Diarmuid Horan as good at midfield, they laid siege to the Flannan's goal for long periods, but with little reward.
Inspired by Horan, son of team coach, Padraig, St Brendan's were content to pick off their points, but victory still looked beyond them as Flannans held a seven-point lead at the three quarter stage.
The pressure on the Clare defence intensified and Horan was inches away from a goal when he batted wide from five metres out. As the tension mounted, so did the pressure on the Flannan's defence and with three minutes of normal time remaining, full forward Mark Mulrooney had a shot deflected out for a 65 which Colm Coughlan (son of former Offaly great Ger) pointed.
It was all hands to the pump for Flannan's as Birr came at them in waves and the pressure finally told in the 59th minute when Paul Cleary forced the sliothar home after a great run by the magnificent Joe Bergin.
With three minutes of injury time added, you would have expected Birr to go on and win the game, but this is an experienced Flannan's side, and they held their nerve, helped by a later Colin Ryan point from a free to reach their first national final in five years.
: St. Flannan's: C. Ryan 0-7 (0-5 frees, 0-1 65); I. Colleran 1-2; J. Arthur 1-1; B. Gaffney 0-2 (0-1 free); J. Neylon 0-1.
: C. Coughlan (0-1 free, 0-1 65), J. Bergin (0-2 frees, 0-1 65) 0-3 each; P. Cleary 1-0; D. Horan, D. Masterson, M. Mulrooney 0-2 each; B. Nolan, R. Carroll 0-1 each.
: P. Kelly; C. O'Doherty, J. Moloney, M. O'Donnell; C. Neylon, S, Hickey, G. Hannigan; D. O'Halloran, C. Ryan; N. Killeen, J. Neylon, C. Madden; I. Colleran, B. Gaffney, G. Arthur. Subs. C. Tierney for Colleran; G. Lyons for Madden.
: D. Beale; P. Ryan, M. Verney, D. Coughlan; B. Watkins, P. Cleary, R. Carroll; D. Horan, S. Ryan; D. Masterson, M. Quinlan, J. Bergin; B. Nolan, M. Mulrooney, C. Coughlan. Subs: A. Kealy for S. Ryan; K. Larkin for P. Ryan.
: B. White (Wexford).
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