Corn Uí Mhuirí: Ronan Carroll inspires Tralee CBS to win over gutsy Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne

Tralee CBS’s big players thundered into the game when the need was greatest late on.

STAR MAN: Second half goal for Tralee CBS as Ronan Carroll beats the Dingle defence and slots home. Pic credit: Adrienne McLoughlin.

Tralee CBS 2-15 Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne 0-12

Tralee CBS were given a good challenge by a valiant Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne side in this Group 5 Corn Uí Mhuirí opener at Paddy Kennedy Park on Wednesday afternoon.

It was a game that was in the balance for fifty minutes with Tralee CBS leading by a single point (1-9 to 0-11) and a major surprise looked on the cards.

In fact, the Dingle School should have been in front but keeper Oisin O’Halloran made a blinding save when he was almost driven into the net by a shot from Cian Mac Gearailt that he somehow kept out in the 42nd minute.

But Tralee CBS’s big players thundered into the game when the need was greatest and Liam Og O’Connor caught some great ball in midfield, allowing Ronan Carroll and substitute Mikey Corridan to cut loose. 

Five unanswered points from the 51st to the 55th minute from Carroll, Luke Rochford, Mikey Corridan (2) and wing back Eoin O’Flaherty with one of the scores of the game, appeared to completely deflate Pobalscoil.

It was game, set and match in the 56th minute when Liam Og sent Corridan through and it was Ballymac’s Eoin Moriarty, up from the back, who finished the net to make it 2-14 to 0-11.

PS Chorca Dhuibhne hardly deserved to lose the game by nine points but that final ten minute scoring blitz just shows why Tralee CBS are considered one of the leading contenders with Gearoid White and Ryan O’Driscoll still to return.

The first half started with Chorca Dhuibhne dominant thanks to Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich, Sean Ó Cuinn and Paudie Fitzgerald from Castlegregory pulling the strings, while Ronan Carroll scored four frees for Tralee CBS who led 0-5 to 0-4 at half time.

Carroll scored a superb goal in the 38th minute to put his side three points clear but Chorca Dhuibhne, with Ó Beaglaoich driving them on, were soon back within a point with Fitzgerald kicking two points and Ó Mainín with an effort from play.

But Tralee CBS finished with a flourish and Ronan Carroll proved to be their main man.

Scorers for Tralee CBS: R Carroll (1-9, 7fs), E Moriarty (1-0), M Corridan (0-2), E O’Flaherty, L Óg O’Connor, H Lenihan and L Rochford (0-1 each).

Scorers for Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhe: P MacGearailt (0-5, 1f, 1M), P O Mainín (0-3, 2fs), C Ó Cinnéide, and C MacGearailt (2fs) (0-2 each).

TRALEE CBS: Ó O’Halloran (Ardfert); T Slattery (Churchill), E Moriarty (Ballymac), B Pierce (Kerins O’Rahillys); E O’Flaherty (Ardfert), F Ryan (Austin Stacks), M O’Sullivan (Churchill); L Óg O’Connor (Ardfert), P Brosnan (Moyvane); H Lenihan (Churchill), L Rochford (Ballyduff), T Quilter (Churchill); M McKivergan (Ballymacelligott), R Carroll (Austin Stacks), N Lacey (Kerins O’Rahillys).

Subs: M Corridon (Ardfert) for M O’Sullivan (40), T O’Connor (Ballyduff) for T Quilter (54), K Best (Ardfert) for N Lacey (59), S Cahill (Kerins O’Rahillys) for M McKivergan (60).

POBALSCOIL ChORCA DHUIBHNE: O Ó Dhúbhda (Dingle); JJ Mac Liam (An Ghaeltacht), E Ó Fiannachta (An Ghaeltacht), D Ó Laighin (An Ghaeltacht); T Ó Cathail (Dingle), A Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), H Ó Curráin (Dingle); S Ó Cuinn (An Ghaeltacht), N Ó Riain (Dingle); D Ó Séaghdha (An Ghaeltacht), P Ó Mainín (Lispole), C Corduibh (An Ghaeltacht), C Ó Cinnéide, P Mac Gearailt (Castlegregory), C Mac Gearailt.

Subs: S de Róiste (Dingle) for N Ó Riain (37), B de Brún for H Ó Curráin (50), Cathal Corduibh for D Ó Laighin (57).

Referee: E Walsh (Rathmore).