Sem see off Críost Rí to set up all-Kerry decider

St Brendan’s 1-10 Coláiste Chríost Rí 1-5

There was no disputing the better team won, but the Capwell school pushed them all the way in a typical Kerry-Cork clash and were shaping up as likely winners after opening up a one-goal lead midway through the second half while playing into the wind.

The St Brendan’s talent was very evident however and after James O’Donoghue tied the game with a great goal in the 50th minute, Críost Ri had nothing left in the tank and the Killarney school tacked on five unanswered points to set up a repeat of last year’s decider, on March 9.

Both teams featured plenty of talent but head and shoulders over everyone else was corner-back Fionn Fitzgerald, who was magnificent and must have covered every inch of the ground, clearing the danger at one end and setting up scoring chances at the other.

Brendan’s deservedly led 0-3 to 0-1 after 17th minutes despite playing into the wind, principally due to Jamie O’Sullivan and James Coffey at midfield.

Críost Ri were in need of at least a six-point half-time lead to have any chance and Philip O’Sullivan raised their hopes with a cracking goal made for him by John Holland.

However the Sem were very dangerous in attack and after the impressive Cian Tobin pointed — their first score for 19 minutes — it took a magnificent save by Críost Ri ‘keeper Darren Farry to deny James O’Donoghue a goal as the Killarney side finished the half strongly to go in at the break just two points down, 1-3 to 0-4.

There was far more urgency in Críost Ri on the changeover. Eoin Keane thundered into the game at midfield and with full forward John Holland roaming freely, a magnificent point by Holland put his side three up at the three quarter stage.

The game eventually turned on shrewd sideline substitutions by the Sem. Chris O’Leary and Alan Courtney were introduced in order to add a bit more penetration up front and the moves worked well.

There appeared to be no danger as Críost Ri attacked up the centre but Philip O’Sullivan lost possession and the ball was swept downfield where Cian Tobin picked out James O’Donoghue, and the Legion youngster rifled a rocket into the corner of the net to tie the game for the second time.

That goal rattled Críost Ri and the impressive Brendan’s attack, superbly led by Cian Tobin, tacked on four unanswered points, two by Tobin, to run out deserving winners.

Scorers for St Brendan’s: C. Tobin 0-6 (0-2 frees); J. O’Donoghue 1-2; D. Twomey, C. O’Leary 0-1 each.

Scorers for Críost Rí: P. O’Sullivan 1-0; D. Sweeney 0-2; S. Martin, I. Leahy, P. Holland 0-1 each.

ST BRENDAN’S: B. Kelly; F. Fitzgerald, B. Russell, J. O’Mahony; D. O’Sullivan, P. O’Connor, J. Lyne; J. O’Sullivan, J. Coffey; J. O’Donoghue, S. O’Neill, E. O’Mahony; D. Twomey, K. Regan, C. Tobin.

Subs: C. O’Leary for O’Mahony; A. Courtney for Regan.

COLÁISTE CRÍOST RÍ: D. Farry; K. Punch, A., Hickey, S. Sheehan; G. O’Connor, D. Twomey, J. Dwyer; E. Keane, B., Coughlan; S. Martin, P. O’Sullivan, D. Sweeney; G. Browne, J. Holland, I. Leahy. Subs: D. McCarthy for Browne; A. Cronin for O’Sullivan.

Referee: B. White (Tipperary).