Coach David Clifford wins first schools final as St Brendan's break Tralee CBS hearts 

Last-gasp winner from Legion's Cian Hegarty snatches colleges final for Sem from great rivals The Green

St Brendan's flying wing back Ryan Vickers is tracked by Tralee CBS defender Eoin Tansley in Friday's Kerry Colleges Russell Cup (U15A) football final in Killarney. Pic: Adrienne McLoughlin

Kerry Colleges Russell Cup (U15A) final: St Brendans College 4-11 Tralee CBS 4-10.

A 64th minute goal from Cian Hegarty, following a searing run from midfield by New Zealand born Ryan Vickers saw St Brendans College, Killarney snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and in the process break Tralee CBS hearts in a thrilling Russell Cup final at Fitzgerald Stadium on Friday.

The David Clifford-coached Sem only led when Darragh Keane converted a fourth minute penalty and at the death when Hegarty rattled the Green death in the fourth minute of added time.

Sideline guile: St Brendan's coach David Clifford surveys the action .

With football like this, the game needs little adjustment. After the precocious Calvin O’Sullivan gave Tralee CBS the lead in the opening bend, Darragh Keane converted a penalty for St Brendan's though the Sem were over dependent on the Kilcummin youngster for scores.

Tralee CBS then took over with Danny Lane scoring 2-2 as they moved 2-4 to 1-1 in front by the end of the opening quarter.

The Sem struck back in the 16th minute when Keane rifled the ball to the roof of net. However the Green responded with a super goal of their own when Ronan Harrington O’Callaghan finished to the net and before half time, Calvin O’Sullivan and Jason Gaynor added points. Tralee led 3-6 to 2-3 at half time.

A couple of changes at half time by David Clifford - winning his first colleges final as a coach - appeared to improve the Killarney side as Cian Hegarty and Eanna Hennigan added three points but a Calvin O’Sullivan goal for the Green saw them 4-6 to 2-6 in front. 

Hennigan then set up Liam Moynihan for a Sem goal in the 45th minute, before the Sem's Conor Moynihan and Hennigan closed the gap to 4-9 to 3-10. Then Darragh Keane converted a free to reduce the deficit to the minimum in the 55th minute.

In a thrilling finale, Calvin O’Sullivan appeared to have scored the insurance point for the Green, but in one final attack by the Sem, Vickers raced through from half way before finding Hegarty for the winner. 

Scorers: St Brendans College: D Keane (2-4, 1-0 pen, 3f), C Hegarty (1-3, 2f), L Moynihan (1-0), E Hennigan (0-2), R Vickers and C Moynihan (0-1 each).

Tralee CBS: C O’Sullivan (1-6, 3fs), D Lane (2-2), and R Harrington O’Callaghan (1-0), J Gaynor (0-2,1f).

ST. BRENDAN'S: E Clarke (Legion); D Forde (Kilcummin), M Corkery (Spa), P Nash (Dr Crokes); C Moynihan (Kilcummin), K Kelly (Crokes), R Vickers (Firies); P O’Donoghue (Glenflesk), O Lynch (Kilcummin); J Hurley (Legion), C Hegarty (Legion), J Fleming (Legion); E Hennigan (Dr Crokes), D Keane (Kilcummin), S Lyne (Legion).

Subs: D O’Sullivan (Kilcummin) for D Forde (20), L Moynihan (Spa) for J Fleming (h/t), L Clancy (Fossa) for O Lynch (h/t), E Bennett (Fossa) for S Lyne (50), G Moroney (Fossa) for E Clarke (50).

TRALEE CBS: D O’Connor (John Mitchels); C O’Sullivan (Ardfert), M O’Riordan (Austin Stacks), P McElligott (St Senan's); D Cullinan (John Mitchels), E Tansley (Na Gaeil), D Moriarty (Ballymac); A O’Connor (Ballymac), T Slattery (Na Gaeil); C O’Brien (Churchill), C O’Sullivan (John Mitchels), E Quirke (Ballymac); D Lane (Austin Stacks), R Harrington O’Callaghan (John Mitchels), J Gaynor (Ardfert).

Subs: A Costello (Na Gaeil) for C O’Brien (44), S Harty (Ardfert) for D Moriarty (48), C Fitzgerald (Kerins O’Rahillys) for R Harrington O’Callaghan (55).

Referee: S Mulvihill (St Senans)