St Brendan’s survive spirited Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne rally

St Brendan’s, Killarney 1-15 Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne 0-11: St Brendan’s, Killarney survived a spirited second-half rally by an Eamonn Fitzmaurice-managed Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne to win the Munster Post Primary U15½ A football final at Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney.

Both teams are to be commended for the manner in which they coped with the inclement weather, and the game was in the melting pot thanks to four Dylan Geaney frees that saw Corca Dhuibhne cut St Brendan’s lead to just three points (1-11 to 0-11) with seven minutes remaining. However, the Sem, with the wind, finished powerfully, and four unanswered points from Darragh Lyne (Legion) with two frees, and one each from Ryan Kelliher and man of the match, Patrick Darcy, settled the issue.

Both sides played better against the wind, with St Brendan’s carrying the ball well in the opening half, Patrick Darcy, Dylan Murphy and Niall McGillycuddy kicking some fine points. But the crucial score came in first-half injury time, when Darcy and Darragh Donoghue set up Michael Linehan for the only goal of the decider.

St Brendan’s led 1-8 to 0-7 at the break and despite the courageous play of Aodhain Ó Dubhain, Colm Ó Muircheartaigh, Cathal Ó Beaglaoich and the accuracy of Geaney; Corca Dhuibhne never looked like causing an upset.

Scorers for St Brendan’s:

P Darcy (0-5, 0-2 frees), M Linehan (1-1), D Lyne (0-2 frees), D Murphy (0-2, 0- 1 free), P O’Shea and N McGillycuddy (0-2 each).

Scorers for Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne:

D Ó Géibheannaigh (0-6, 0-5 frees), C Ó Beaglaoich and C Ó Catháin (0- 2), R Ó Beaglaoich (0-1).

ST BRENDAN’S:

M Kelliher; C Ryan, C Sheahan, E Smith; G O’Connor, M Cooper, P O’Sullivan; P O’Shea, D Lyne; P Darcy, M Lenihan, R Kelliher; D Murphy, D Donoghue, N McGillycuddy.

Subs:

T Doolan for N McGillycuddy (41); E Finnan for D Murphy (58); R Doyle for R Kelliher (59).

CORCA DHUIBHNE:

E de hÓra; A Ó Conchúir, S Óg Ó Móráin, B Ó Grifín; C Ó Flannúra, Colin Ó Muircheartaigh, O Dáibhis; A Ó Dubháin, Colm Ó Muircheartaigh; C Ó Failbhe, C Ó Beaglaoich, C Ó Riagáin; D Ó Géibheannaigh, R Ó Beaglaoich, C Ó Catháin.

Sub:

S Ó Laoithe for C Ó Riagain (41).

Referee:

M Hickey (Milltown/Castlemaine).