Corn Uí Mhuirí: Tralee CBS defeat Mallow to book place in final

FINAL COUNTDOWN: Martin McKivergan, Tralee CBS celebrates his goal with Darragh Cunnane during their TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí SFC semi-final match against Patrician Academy Mallow at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney. Picture: Dan Linehan

Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final

Tralee CBS 2-12

Patrician Academy Mallow 0-7

Tralee CBS booked their place in this year’s Corn Uí Mhuirí final after a strong win over Patrician Academy Mallow on a damp and blustery afternoon in Fitzgerald Stadium.

While the final score would suggest Tralee CBS had it largely their own way it was far from the case. 

The Mallow school had they converted a host of goal chances could have made this a much more competitive affair.

A defence that looked to falter at times, Patrician will rue missed opportunities at goal. Tralee CBS will have to look at their defending ahead of the final, with the game very much over in the final ten minutes following Darragh Cunnane’s goal.

Patrician were wayward in the opening minutes, CBS on the other hand opened the scoring after three minutes through Ronan Carroll.

Patrician were finding it difficult to add an early score, a second wide was followed up by a goal chance for Dylan O’Connell but despite beating two CBS defenders to race clear one on one with the keeper, his shot went wide.

It would take ten minutes for the Mallow side to open their account through Ben O’Shea. By the quarters end again a goal looked on the cards for Patrician as Aidan Kelly, after a swashbuckling run, passed across the face of goal and a fisted effort from O’Connell went over the bar.

After a cagey opening quarter, the second quarter was very much all the way of CBS. Patrician were punished for persistent fouling inside, allowing Cunnane and Hugh Lenihan to convert frees for a 0-5 to 0-2 lead with 17 minutes elapsed.

Padraig Britton, Patrician Academy Mallow going to ground after Martin McKivergan, Tralee CBS punched the ball into the net for his goal l during their TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí SFC semi-final match at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney. Picture Dan Linehan

The real body blow arrived with 23 minutes on the clock. Lenihan missed a close range free and with the ball cannoning off the crossbar, CBS recycled the ball and Mairtin McKivergan palmed the loose ball into the net.

Patrician ended the half in strong fashion with Cathal Mullins and Alan O’Connell cutting the deficit with points. Tralee were in control with a 1-7 to 0-4 lead at the interval.

Luke Rochford struck a 40 metre point to open the second half before Alan O’Connell struck back for the Mallow side but a goal was on the cards and the midfielder fired over.

Tralee CBS were living precariously at times, a defence that was carved open too easily, Patrician should have added goals based on their chances but failed to do so.

After some ping-pong between Patrician goalkeeper Devin Fray and cornerback Darragh O’Connor trying to clear the danger, Kerins ended a 16 minute wait for Tralee CBS to get back on the board. 

From the resulting kick out another error went punished. A long ball in for Cunnane was gathered by the full forward and he struck low to the net for a 2-9 to 0-6 lead with 51 minutes on the clock.

Mullins did add a consolation free for the Mallow side late on but The Green by that stage were well on top and saw the game out in convincing fashion.

Carroll had two goal chances saved, while Cunnane, McKivergan and Carroll all chipped over scores to see out the win.

Andrew Kerins gave a man of the match display from wing back for the Green who will now take on Mercy Mounthawk in all Tralee Corn Ui Mhuiri Final at the Austin Stack Park on February 10th.

A first Corn Ui Mhuiri meeting ever between the two schools.

Scorers for Tralee CBS: D Cunnane (1-3, 2f), M McKivergan (1-1), A Kerins, H Lenihan (2f), R Carroll (1f) (0-2 each), L Rochford and P Brosnan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Patrician Academy Mallow: C Mullins (0-3, 3f), A O’Connell (0-2), D O’Connell and B O’Shea (0-1 each).

TRALEE CBS: Ó O’Halloran (Ardfert); S Barrett (Na Gaeil), E O’Flaherty (Ardfert), S Turner (Ballymacelligott); T Deregee (Austin Stacks), F Ryan (do), A Kerins (John Mitchels); L Óg O’Connor (Ardfert), P Brosnan (Moyvane); H Lenihan (Churchill), L Rochford (Ballyduff), M McKivergan (Ballymacelligott); J Brosnan (Moyvane), D Cunnane (John Mitchels), R Carroll (Austin Stacks).

Subs: D Corridon (Ardfert) for J Brosnan, R O’Driscoll (Austin Stacks) for L Rochford, O O’Sullivan (Na Gaeil) for T Deregee (all 55), S Óg Brosnan (Na Gaeil) for D Cunnane (60 +2).

PATRICIAN ACADEMY MALLOW: D Fray (Mallow); D O’Connor (do), N Burke (Clyda Rovers), B Noonan (Mallow); E Walsh (do), G Daly (do), P Britton (do); A Kelly (Clyda Rovers), A O’Connell (Kilshannig); L Walsh (Mallow), B O’Shea (do), C Mullins (do); L Buckley (do), C Geary (Kilshannig), D O’Connell (Mallow).

Subs: C Cooney (Clyda Rovers) for G Daly (Temp, 31-34), C Cooney for L Buckley (40), J Roche (Mallow) for C Geary (42), A Murphy (do) for A Kelly (53), C Corbett (Clyda Rovers) for C Mullins (58).

Referee: J O’Halloran (Limerick).