Flannan's firing on all cylinders
It helped ro keep St Flannan's on course to retain the Croke Cup.
It came at a crucial stage after the Kilkenny side, aided by the strong wind, had cut Flannan's half-time lead of 0-6 to 0-2 to the minimum with three unanswered points by Mark Bergin, whose free taking was impeccable. While the Leinster champions brought the deficit down to a point a second time late in the match, magnificent defending by the reigning champions kept them in front to the final whistle.
Should Flannan's go on and retain their All-Ireland title on May bank holiday Monday, at Dublin Colleges' expense, they'll look back on the display of their centre back Seamus Hickey in this semi-final as the principal reason why.
A current member of the Limerick senior team, the Murroe Boher youngster added to his already growing reputation with another outstanding display.
Yesterday it was Hickey, along with Ciaran O'Doherty, Conor Cooney and Eamon Glynn, who again turned up trumps when the need was greatest.
Understandably team coach James O'Connor heaped praise on his defence. "All you ask of fellas at this time of the year is go at it hammer and tongs and give 110%. The lads did that."
"Score lines are never going to be high like they are in summer weather. 13/14 points will win most matches at this time of the season, and I'm extremely pleased at the way we fought it out to the very end.
"It was a cracking game where two very honest teams gave it their all, and I'm relieved to come out of it with the one-point win. It could have gone either way in those hectic closing minutes, but we defended superbly and got our just rewards."
Kilkenny won the toss and elected to play into the strong wind, a decision which looked the correct one as Flannan's wasted numerous chances and could only manage a three-point lead after 20 minutes.
It took the Leinster champions until the 23rd minute to open their account when Mark Bergin pointed before Conor Tierney stretched Flannan's lead with a point.
Flannan's upped the ante coming up to half time with further points, but were grateful to their 'keeper Donal Tuohy who was off his line very quickly to deny Aidan Stapleton a certain goal which have left Kilkenny just a point down a the break, instead of four, (0-6 to 0-2).
The Ennis side resumed the second half with county minor Enda Barrett on at midfield, but the strong wind was clearly a factor and, in the space of eight minutes, Kilkenny had the deficit down to the minimum with three Mark Bergin points.
You would have fancied them from this juncture to go on and win the game, but champions die hard and, inspired by the brilliance of Seamus Hickey, at centre back, Flannan's struck for the game's most decisive score, a goal by Colm Madden after a great run by Hickey.
Back came Kilkenny and again Flannan's were grateful to Donal Tuohy for another excellent save, this time to deny Eoin Cody, but magnificent points from side line cuts by John Fitzpatrick had the game back in the melting pot.
Flannan's were under enormous pressure but coped superbly and, as the tension and excitement mounted, the sides swopped points to leave just one between them as the game went into injury time. Extra time looked very likely and there were would have been few complaints, but the reigning champions defence held firm for a thrilling victory.
Kilkenny mentor Sean Breathnach said he felt the goal chance they got just before half-time cost them the match. "Had we gone in just a point down and turning to play with the strong wind in the second half, we'd have won that game. It's heart breaking, but that's the way games go."
"We battled extremely hard on the change over but needed a goal if we were to win it. We got a chance of one but didn't avail of it. I'm very proud of the efforts our lads made and we'll come again."
: St. Flannan's: C. Madden 1-0; J. Conlon, C. Nealon 0-3 each; C. Tierney 0-2; B. Coffey, D. Ryan (free), R. Horan 0-1 each. Kilkenny CBS: M. Bergin 0-6 (0-5 frees, 0-1 65); M. Kelly, J. Fitzpatrick (line balls) 0-2 each; A. Stapleton, J. Comerford, D. Walsh 0-1 each.
: D. Tuohy; C. O'Doherty, C. Cooney, S. O'Regan; E. Glynn, S. Hickey, D. Ryan; F. O'Reilly, D. Stack; R. Horan, C. Madden, B. Coffey; J. Conlon, C. Tierney, C. Nealon.
. E. Barrett for O'Reilly; C. O'Connell for Coffey.
: D. Molloy; J. Traynor, S. Maher, D. Webster; P. Nolan, D. Langton, J. Cleere; S. Tyrell, J. Comerford; M. Kelly, M. Bergin, J. Fitzpatrick; C. Starr, E. Cody, A. Stapleton.
. L. Ryan for Tyrell; P. Guinan for Starr.
: B White (Tipperary).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
