Coláiste Críost Rí stand firm to bridge long 24-year gap

Coláiste Chríost Rí 2-10 St Flannan’s College 2-7: Coláiste Chríost Rí had to endure a strong St Flannan’s fightback before finally securing their first Frewen Cup (Munster U16½A Football Championship) in 24 years in Killeedy, Co Limerick yesterday.

With a difficult crossfield gale to contend with, the sides traded first quarter goals through Críost Rí captain Cillian Myers Murray and Conor Brannock before the Cork college pulled clear with the last six points of the half, including three superb efforts from Mark Cronin, to hold a 1-8 to 1-2 interval advantage.

So when Daniel Lucey slotted home a second goal on the restart, Coláiste Chríost Rí seemed certain for victory as they led by nine with just over 20 minutes remaining.

However, despite a 23-minute barren period, St Flannan’s dug deep to somehow drag themselves back into the tie, with Philip Talty’s 44th-minute goal providing the catalyst for an unanswered tally of 1-4 which slashed the arrears to just three entering the final 10 minutes.

With the momentum now firmly behind them, the Clare school threw everything at their opponents but would find Coláiste Chríost Rí in obstinate form before a brace of Mark Brosnan points on the counter-attack ensured the Coláiste Rí celebrations.

Scorers for Coláiste Chríost Rí:

M Brosnan (0-4); C Myers Murray, D Lucey (1-1 each), M Cronin (0-3); R Dalton (0-1)

Scorers for St Flannan’s College:

C Brannock, P Talty (1-2 each); G Cahill (0-2, 2 frees); E Thynne (0-1, 1 free)

COLÁISTE CHRÍOST RÍ:

C Purcell (Nemo Rangers); C O’Mahony (St Finbarr’s), A McGowan (Nemo Rangers), J Corcoran (Nemo Rangers); S Turner (Nemo Rangers), J O’Brien (St Finbarr’s), J O’Brien (Nemo Rangers); L Hannigan (St Finbarr’s), K Forde (Nemo Rangers); S Hanley (Nemo Rangers), R Dalton (Nemo Rangers), M Brosnan (Carrigaline); M Cronin (Nemo Rangers), D Lucey (Mayfield), C Myers Murray (St Finbarr’s)

Subs:

E Varian (St Finbarr’s) for O’Mahony (48); A Thornhill (Nemo Rangers) for Hanley (58)

ST FLANNAN’S COLLEGE:

T O’Brien (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield); D Hickey (Banner), J Finnucane (Kilmihil), L McGrath (Corofin); G Collins (Éire Óg), D O’Shea (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), I Ugwueru (Éire Óg); I Molloy (Banner), R Cahill (Kilmaley); R Collins (Banner), G Cahill (Corofin), E Thynne (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield); P Talty (Éire Óg), N Galvin (Clarecastle), C Brannock (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)

Subs:

K McDermott (Clarecastle) for Hickey (39); K Keane (Corofin) for Galvin (50), S Talty (Éire Óg) for R. Collins (58)

Referee:

M Meade (Limerick)