Champions sound warning
Tralee won the toss and elected to play with the elements in the opening half. Alan Fitzgerald opened their account in the first minute and Tralee forged 0-4 to nil ahead after 10 minutes with Edmond Walsh scoring half of his side’s tally.
However Dingle showed glimpses of their potential for the next quarter. Seamus MacGearailt and Joe Sheehy impressed at centre and corner forward respectively and with the Tralee attack wasting several chances, MacGearailt opened Dingle’s account in the 20th minute.
The Dingle defence began to impress, particularly Maithiu Guiheen at wing back, and when Pol Ó Geanai landed a second point, the four-point interval deficit (0-6 to 0-2) didn’t seem insurmountable.
Dingle threatened to make a game of it when Eoin MacGearailt cut the gap to three but the Tralee defence in which the Ballymacelligott pair Phillip and Mathew Galvin were superb, were equal to the best their opponents had to offer.
Wayne Guthrie’s move to attack strengthened the Tralee forward division and with Barry John Keane showed his class, the champions struck for three points. Fiachra Mangan’s effort should have been a goal, but with only the ‘keeper to beat, he blazed over the bar.
By the end of the third quarter Tralee led by double scores, 0-12 to 0-6, and Colm O’Mahony was denied a goal by a superb save by Tomas MacPiarsais at the expense of a point.
Dingle went in search of a goal and after a sustained period of pressure they finally breached the Tralee rearguard when Miceal O Geanai set up Joe Sheehy for the game’s only major.
Moments later Sheehy raised Dingle hopes when he pointed a free to leave just three between the sides with five minutes remaining.
However this Tralee side are a resilient bunch as Brian Shanahan and Barry John Keane kicked two insurance points for the champions.
Scorers for Tralee CBS: BJ Keane 0-5 (0-4 frees); A. Fitzgerald 0-3; E. Walsh 0-2 (0-1 free); S. Carroll, F. Mangan, K. Hurley, C. O’Mahony, B. Shanahan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Chorcha Dhuibhne: J. Sheehy 1-4 (0-4 frees); S. Fitzgerald (free), P. Geaney, E. Fitzgerald 0-1 each.
TRALEE CBS: G. Sugrue; P. Galvin, R. O’Callaghan, M. Galvin; D. O’Neill, B. Shanahan, N. O’Shea; S. Carroll, W. Guthrie; F. Mangan, A. Fitzgerald, J. Keane; C. O’Mahony, E. Walsh, BJ Keane.
Subs: K. Hurley for Keane; C. Counihan for O’Neill; T. McCarthy for O’Mahony.
CHORCHA DHUIBHNE: T. MacPiarsais; C. Ó Suilleabhain, E. Ó Conchur, D. Ó Cearbhaill; M. Guiheen, T. Ó Conchuir, D. Ó Suilleabhain; E. MacGearailt, C. O Muircheartaigh; M. Ó Flaharta, S. MacGearailt, M. Ó Geanai; S. MactSithigh, P. Ó Geanai, G. Ó Currain.
Subs: D. Ó Ceallachain in ionaid G Ó Currain; C. Ó Gealbhain in ionaid O Flaharta; T. Ó Caomhanaigh in ionaid Ó Ceallachain.
Referee: P. Lyons (Laune Rangers).
