Tralee pushed all the way by Castletroy

Tralee CBS 0-16 Castletroy CS 2-5

The Tralee school turned over 0-7 to 0-3 in front after playing into a strong wind, but while they always looked likely winners, Castletroy pushed their more fancied opponents all the way in the second-half.

This is one of the better teams the Green has had in a couple of years, and they possess some excellent players in full-back Stephen Browne, centre-back Adrian Greaney, midfielder Liam O’Sullivan and forwards Barry John Walsh and Mark O’Sullivan who hit 11 of their side’s 16 points.

However, mentors John O’Keeffe and Eamon Walsh will be concerned about the ease with which the Castletroy forwards scored two goals after the break.

Despite the defeat, Castletroy should reach the knock-out stages on the evidence of this performance. Defensively they are solid with Jed McDermot, Jer Collins and Garry O’Toole the pick of the bunch. Cormac Joyce did very well on Tralee’s Liam O’Sullivan, while up front Darragh Connolly, Niall Gibbons and Shane Dineen posed endless problems for the CBS defence.

Against the wind, the Tralee side played the possession game to perfection and were full value for their 0-7 to 0-3 half-time lead.

Strangely the Limerick side also found it easier against the elements and showed their prowess with a cracking goal by Darragh Connolly which left just a point between the sides 12 minutes into the second half.

Tralee introduced Shane Hennessy early in the second half and he was influential for them, kicking two excellent points, and with five minutes to go they held a comfortable 0-15 to 1-5 lead, before Castletroy again exposed that weakness in the CBS defence when Diarmuid McCarthy scored their second goal.

The final scoreline was a better reflection of Castletroy’s efforts over the hour and they will fancy their chances against St Flannans in the final preliminary game which should see them take runners-up spot in their group.

Scorers: Tralee CBS: M. O’Sullivan 0-6 (frees); BJ Walsh 0-5 (0-3 frees); S. Hennessy 0-2; D. O’Callaghan, A. Kelly, B. Shanahan 0-01 each. Castletroy: D. Connolly 1-1; D. McCarthy 1-0; S. Dineen 0-2 (frees); L. McGinty, N. Gibbons 0-1 each.

TRALEE CBS: K. O’Shea; A. Brosnan, S. Browne, Joe Scully; B. Shanahan, A. Greaney, D. Costelloe; B. Mangan, L. O’Sullivan; D. O’Callaghan, A. Kelly, C. Barrett; BJ Walsh, P. Cullotty, M. O’Sullivan.

Subs: S. Hennessy for Cullotty; P. Herlihy for Mangan.

CASTLETROY CS: D. Frawley; J. McDermott, B. Dunphy, J. Hoare; D. McCarthy, J. Collins, G. O’Toole; D. Byrne, C. Joyce; S. Dineen, E. Kennedy, D. Hyland; L. McGinty, D. Connolly, N. Gibbons.

Referee: M. Ryan (Limerick).