Stronger and shrewder Flannan’s breeze past Críost Rí and into Dean Ryan final

St Flannan’s, Ennis 0-23 Coláiste Chríost Rí 0-8

Playing with a piercing wind in the opening half, the Ennis side struck quickly and decisively to shatter the confidence of their Cork opponents.

The underdogs took to the field bouncing with adrenalin, but with their chief points-taker tied up in midfield they could not find the foothold to build up any sort of momentum.

Five points from David Coughlan was all Coláiste Chríost Rí could manage before half-time, leaving them hanging all their hopes on the influence of the wind after the turnaround.

However, a physically stronger and mentally cuter St Flannan’s 15 closed shop along their half-back line, distributing the play neatly to set up their clinical front six.

Full-forward Gerard Arthur was impressive, clocking up nine points from play. The Ennis men could afford to squander two goal chances in the final quarter, yet still cross the finish line pulling up.

ST FLANNAN’S: M. O’Halloran, C. Doherty, J. McInerney, S. Hickey, D. Ryan, J. Moloney, G. Hannigan, C. Ryan (0-1), P. Moloney, I. Colleran (0-3), C. Madden (0-1), D. O’Halloran (0-3), C. Tierney (0-1), G. Arthur (0-12), Colin Ryan (0-2). Subs: N. Kileen for P. Moloney (22mins), F. O’Reilly for C. Madden (53mins), J. Neilan for G. Arthur (56mins)

COLÁISTE CHRÍOST RÍ: P. Reidy, S. Hodgins, F. Lynch, C. O’Brien, P. Butler, B. McCarthy, K. Murphy, D. Coughlan (0-8), P. Martin, C. Neville, D. O’Donnell, B. Corrie (0-1), R. Walshe, P. O’Sullivan, E. Hegarty. Subs: I. Madden for P. Butler (21mins), C. Leonard for K. Murphy (36mins) S. McCarthy for R.Walshe (47mins)

Referee: M. Reidy