St Brendan’s slam brakes on Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne’s drive for five

Corn Uí Mhuirí - St Brendan’s, Killarney 1-14 Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne 0-4: This far, but no further, was the stark message issued to Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne as the students of St Brendan’s, Killarney closed the door on their five-in-a-row bid.

Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, prior to yesterday’s quarter-final, had not lost a knockout fixture in the Corn Uí Mhuirí since their maiden final appearance back in March of 2011 and, having emulated the Tralee CBS team of the early 1930s when securing their fourth consecutive Munster crown last spring, the goal this season was to achieve what had never before been achieved – the five-in-a-row.

The task facing the Dingle nursery, however, wasn’t helped by losing 13 of the starting team which successfully defended their Hogan Cup crown last April and while full-back Tom Ó Súilleabháin fought to the bitter end in this one-sided affair, 2015 Kerry minor Conchúir Ó Géibheannaigh cut an isolated figure at the other end of the field. Ó Géibheannaigh, who hit 2-4 in last year’s All-Ireland minor final, operated as the sole Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne forward throughout the first half, despite the reigning champions enjoying the backing of a strong wind at Lewis Road.