Tralee edge home and set up an all Kerry final

Tralee CBS 0-12

But, judging on the fare served up in this disappointing semi-final, Coláiste Na Sceilge won’t spend too many training sessions worrying about the opposition, who had to graft mightily to secure their passage.

The game lacked bite and imagination and it was evident from an early stage that there wouldn’t be more than a kick of a ball between the sides.

No question but Tralee, wearing the green and gold of Kerry, had the greater appetite.

On a heavy pitch, following torrential overnight rain, both sides struggled to find their rhythm, but Tralee worked their socks off in the second-half with wing-forward James Sugrue and centre-back Kevin O’Shea giving terrific performances.

And they got their just reward.

However, Douglas will rue a bad mistake by Ken Barry 51 minutes into the game, after he was set up by Mark Harrington.

The full-forward missed a golden goal opportunity at a time when his side were leading by a point and in control.

Instead, it was the Kerry boys who took the initiative and hit back with a couple of frees from Joey O’Connor and one from play by Brian Moran, and although Steve Bermingham reduced the scoreline to the minimum with a late free, Tralee had enough in the tank to hold on.

A very even opening 15 minutes saw Tralee, playing with the strong breeze, lead 0-3 to 0-2.

Eoghan Liston, Moran and Robert Fitzgerald with a free were on target for Tralee with Harrington, easily Douglas’s best forward, getting both his sides scores.

There was no great pattern to the second quarter, end to end, point for point, although Douglas goalkeeper David Dorney had to be alert to prevent Cathal Moriarty goaling in the 21st minute.

Douglas, with corner-back Brian O’Connor in splendid form, were the more economical and must have been happy at the break when trailing by just a point, 0-6 to 0-5, without recording a single wide.

It was a much better second-half, though, with Harrington levelling the scores again in the 38th minute and Douglas were now beginning to look menacing with some splendid combination play.

They should have gone ahead a minute later, but Harrington missed a free in front of the posts and instead, it was Tralee who took the lead again, O’Connor pointing another free after a great run by Chris O’Sullivan.

But Douglas were red-hot now, with Eoin Cadogan super at midfield.

Quick points from another Harrington free, and Paddy White and James Moylan from play, shot them into a 0-9 to 0-7 lead entering the final quarter and they looked well in control.

It was then that Tralee showed their steel and hunger for victory and spurred on by Sugrue and O’Shea, came at Douglas.

Points from Liston and Fitzgerald tied up the scores for the eighth time in the 48th minute at 0-9 apiece, and although Douglas did respond again, Barry’s miss and those three quick Tralee points ensured it was going to be an all-Kingdom decider.

Scorers for Tralee CBS: J. O’Connor 0-4 (all frees), E. Liston, B. Moran, R. Fitzgerald (0-1 a free) 0-2 each, D. Doyle, J. Sugrue 0-1 each.

Douglas CS: M. Harrington 0-5 (0-3 frees), S. Bermingham 0-2 (frees), F. O’Leary, P. White, J. Moylan, G. Drennan 0-1 each.

TRALEE CBS: D. Cunningham; P. O’Sullivan, D. Culloty, G. Kerins; C. O’Sullivan, K. O’Shea D. Doyle; S. Guthrie, B. Moran; J. Sugrue, E. Liston, J. O’Connor; C. Moriarty, R. Fitzgerald, B. Fitzgerald. Subs: S. McMahon for B. Fitzgerald, B. Quill for C. O’Sullivan.

DOUGLAS C.S.:D. Dorney; J. McCarthy, D. O’Connor, B. O’Connor; A. Barry, P. Kelly, M. O’Callaghan; J. Moylan, E. Cadogan; G. Drennan, F. O’Leary, P. White; M. Harrington, K. Barry, S. Bermingham. Sub: K. Murphy for McCarthy.

Referee: M. Walsh (Limerick).