14-man High School Clonmel dig deep to reach decider

High School, Clonmel, despite playing with 14 men for the majority of the second-half, held off St Flannan’s at Lattin yesterday to reach the Munster Colleges Frewen Cup (U16½ AFC) final.

The Tipperary school enjoyed a seven-point lead early in the second-half but were hit by the dismissal of wing-back Kevin Fahy in the 34th minute. Yet they managed to withstand St Flannan’s revival as Paul Maher, Paudie White and Conor Gleeson all excelled to set up a decider date with PS Chorca Dhuibhne. The foundations for success were lain in the first-half with goals from Gearóid Aherne in the third minute and Richie Gunne in the 25th.

High School Clonmel led 2-3 to 0-3 at the interval and despite their numerical disadvantage the Tipperary outfit were still in pole position when leading 2-5 to 0-4 lead in the 42nd minute.

St Flannan’s then enjoyed a productive spell in front of goal as goalkeeper Killian Normoyle came upfield to convert placed balls while Courtney was also on target from frees.

But significantly they failed to score from play in the second-half and never threatened a goal. Brilliant late points by Gleeson and Dermot Ryan capped the Clonmel win.

Scorers for High School Clonmel: G Aherne, R Gunne 1-0 each, P White 0-3 (0-2f), C Gleeson 0-2, K Fahy (0-1 ’45), D Ryan 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Flannan’s (Ennis): E Courtney 0-5 (0-4f), K Normoyle 0-2 (0-1f, 0-1 ’45), B Cahill 0-1.

HIGH SCHOOL CLONMEL: J McDonnell (Clonmel Commercials); K Guiry (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), T Cooney (The Nire), R Lyons (Clonmel Commercials); P Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), S Nagle (The Nire), K Fahy (Clonmel Commercials); P White (Clonmel Commercials), D Ryan (The Nire); R Gunne (Clonmel Commercials), S Lonergan (Moyle Rovers), L Boland (Moyle Rovers); G Aherne (The Nire), C Gleeson (The Nire), R Peters (Clonmel Commercials).

Sub: S Crowley (Clonmel Commercials) for Peters (57).

ST FLANNAN’S (ENNIS): K Normoyle (Lissycasey); E Clancy (Corofin), K Malone (Éire Óg), C Crimmins (Clarecastle); C Moloney (The Banner), F Killeen (Corofin), O Hanrahan (Lissycasey); E Hanrahan (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), J Woods (Éire Óg); D Clancy (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), L Corbett (Corofin), B Cahill (Lissycasey); M McGuane (Clarecastle), E Courtney (Éire Óg), P McNamara (Lissycasey).

Subs: E Davoren (Corofin) for Crimmins (inj) (9), B Guilfoyle (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield) for McNamara (49).

Referee: Richard Moloney (Limerick)