Tralee CBS end Mercy Mounthawk's bid for three Kerry PPS O'Sullivan Cups in a row

Nick Lacey in action. Pic: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

Kerry PPS O'Sullivan Cup Semi-Final: Tralee CBS 3-15 Mercy Mounthawk 3-6

Tralee CBS ended the hopes of Mercy Mounthawk’s bid for three in a row Kerry PPS O’Sullivan Cup victories as they put on a strong second half display to beat their cross-town rivals in this delayed semi-final, played in Connolly Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Tralee CBS put Mercy Mounthawk to the sword in the third quarter when they added 2-5 during a purple patch that saw the introduction of Kerry minor corner forward Nick Lacey prove too much for the Mounthawk defence to handle.

It was newly appointed Kerry minor manger Marc Ó Sé’s first win since taking over and along with Liam O’Sullivan, he will be pleased with his side’s performance despite being without six potential starters including Kerry underage stars Ronan Carroll and Gearoid White.

Mercy Mounthawk were very competitive during the opening twenty minutes, thanks to some superb midfield play from Alex Tuohy and the surging runs of Aaron Harty. The sides were tied on 0-3 apiece with Michael Quirke, Sean Hickey and Ryan Hurley kicking points for the Green while Aaron Harty (2) and Luke O’Sullivan replied for Mounthawk.

But Tralee finished the half the stronger as Mairtin McKivergan and Eoin Flaherty began to carve open the Mounthawk defence and two Quirke points were followed by a fortuitous Cian McKenna goal. Then when McKivergan landed a 45, Tralee CBS retired 1-7 to 0-4 in front at half time.

Two early third quarter points from Ryan Hurley and Mairtin McKivergan pushed CBS further clear but then a two pointer from Conor McGibney and a goal from substitute Ryan Onyekwere left just three points between the sides as Tralee decided it was time to spring Nick Lacey from the bench.

Ryan Hurley and McKivergan added points before McKivergan was hauled down for a penalty in the 41st minute by Alex Tuohy. Lacey drilled the spot kick to the bottom corner of Mounthawk net, but even worse news for Mercy was that Tuohy got a black card and that was that.

Eoin Flaherty raced through for a solo goal, Lacey added a couple of points, but Mounthawk did score two late goals in added time, with Michael Sommers getting both but it was merely cosmetic.

Tralee CBS will now meet St Brendan’s College Killarney in the O’Sullivan Cup final at a date to be confirmed.

Scorers for Tralee CBS: N. Lacey (1-2, 1-0 pen), C. McKenna (1-1), R. Hurley (0-4, 1f), M. Quirke (0-3, 1f), M. McKivergan 0-3, 1'45), E. Flaherty (1-0), S. Hickey and C. Hurley 0-1 each.

Scorers for Mercy Mounthawk: M Sommers (2-0), R Onyekwere (1-0), A Harty (0-2, 1f,) C McGibney (0-2, 1tp), M O'Connor and L O'Sullivan (1f) (0-1 each).

Tralee CBS: O Lata (Austin Stacks); M Enright (St Pats), E Moriarty (Ballymac), S Turner (Ballymac); F Ryan (Austin Stacks), E Flaherty (Ardfert), J Costello (St. Pats); M McKivergan (Ballymac), T O'Connor (Ballyduff); T Quilter (Churchill), C McKenna (Churchill), R Hurley (St Senans); S Hickey (Churchill), M Quirke (Ballymac), C Hurley (St. Senans).

Subs: E Mangan (Austin Stacks) for M Enright (ht), M O'Sullivan (Churchill) for J Costello (ht), N Lacey (Kerins O’Rahilly’s) for Michael Quirke (41), D Kingston (Na Gaeil) for S Hickey (48), L Griffin (Ballymacelligott) for T O'Connor (56).

Mercy Mounthawk: R Kennedy (Kerins O'Rahillys); E Crowley (Churchill), K O'Shea (Firies), S O'Neill (Kerins O'Rahillys); D Lyons (Austin Stacks), D Sargent (John Mitchels), C. McGibney (Churchill); A Touhy (Austin Stacks), H Murphy (Austin Stacks); M O'Connor (Ballymac), A Harty (Churchill), D Harty (Churchill); J Coffey (Na Gaeil), L O'Sullivan (John Mitchels), M Sommers (St. Senans).

Subs: R Onyekwere (Kerins O’Rahillys) for L O'Sullivan (inj 21), J. Diggin (Austin Stacks) for J Coffey (48), B Meehan (Kerins O’Rahillys) for S O'Neill (48), A Johnson (Austin Stacks) for M O'Connor (55).

Referee: E Horan (Glenflesk).