Fitzgerald return puts the wind in Críost Rí sails

CORK minor Paul Fitzgerald emerged as Coláiste Chríost Rí’s hero as the defending Corn Uí Mhuiri champions battled through to an all-Cork semi-final of the Munster colleges’ competition.

Withstanding a late St Brendan’s College comeback in the final 10 minutes of this rain-soaked provincial quarter-final at Knocknagree yesterday and overcoming very difficult playing conditions, Críost Rí laid the foundation for this victory in the first half with two goals in a four-minute burst.

With both Barry Madden and Alan Nolan netting inside the opening 14 minutes to push the Cork school into a 2-4 to 0-2 lead, St Brendan’s were in big trouble, with the wet and heavy conditions not suiting the Killarney side’s neat and tricky forwards, who struggled to get into the game.