Alex Finn fires Presentation Milltown to historic Russell Cup triumph

Fin scored 3-6 for Milltown as they pulled off a remarkable comeback in the final 10 minutes. 

Pres. Milltown team celebrate with Russell Cup after their victory over Tralee CBS. Pic: Adrienne McLoughlin

Kerry PPS U15A Russell Cup Final: Presentation Milltown 3-11 Tralee CBS 1-16 

Presentation Milltown continued their steady rise up the Kerry Post-Primary Schools ladder on Friday as they came from seven points down entering the final 10 minutes of play, to defeat Tralee CBS by a solitary point and claim their first ever Russell Cup (U15A) in Kerry. Alex Finn was their hero on a day he scored 3-6 as the closing stages saw an amazing turnaround.

The Green had led by 0-5 to 0-3 after 20 minutes. They looked in control for long stages. Finn’s first goal in the 21st minute suggested the Mid Kerry school could find some spark but Pres Milltown still went in trailing by 1-7 to 1-6 at the break as Eoghan O’Driscoll found the net for their opponents. 

Andy Costello had scored six of the Tralee school’s first-half total and considering they had outscored their opponents 0-7 to 0-1 in the third quarter, the match was starting to feel like theirs. It was 1-14 to 1-7 after 50 minutes.

Everything changed in the 51st minute however when Presentation Milltown were awarded a penalty after a foul on Rian Foley and Finn converted the spot-kick. 

Although the Green managed points from Dylan McEvoy and a ninth on the day for Costello, another Finn goal in the 56th minute put the match right back into the melting pot. Milltown goalkeeper Noah Browne saved a shot at goal from the Green’s Rory O’Connor as Milltown broke down the pitch and were eventually awarded a two-point free which Finn converted to level the game on 58 minutes.

All the momentum was with Milltown now but they looked like they were squandering their chance to win it until they were awarded a late free which Finn put over to complete an eight-point turnaround and give Milltown a second A title in Kerry PPS to go with their Dunloe (U17A) success back in 2019.

Interestingly, they are graded at B level for Munster when the U15 grade is played post-Christmas. The Green will hope to find solace in trying to retain the Brother Taft (A) Cup in this age group at provincial level.

Scorers for Pres Milltown: A Finn (3-6, 1tpf, 2f), R Foley (0-2, 1f), D Allen, J Clifford and L Clifford (0-1 each) 

Scorers for Tralee CBS: A Costello (0-9, 4f), E O‘Donnell (1-0), J Corridan and D Diggins (0-2 each), E Carmody, L Fusco and D McEvoy (0-1 each) 

PRESENTATION MILLTOWN: N Browne (Firies); A Flynn (Milltown/Castlemaine), D Leane (do), TJ Flahive (Annascaul), D Allen (Firies), A Fleming (do), J Kennedy (Keel); C Flynn (do), F Clifford (Firies); D Burke (M/C), R Foley (Keel), J Clifford (M/C); S Moriarty (Keel), A Finn (Firies), L Clifford (Keel) 

Subs: K O’Sullivan (Firies) for F Clifford (43), F Burke (M/C) for L Clifford (45) 

TRALEE CBS: B O’Sullivan (Na Gaeil); H Costello (St Pats/Blennerville), C Maguire (Austin Stacks), J McLarnon (John Mitchels); F O’Callaghan (do), J Corridan (Ardfert), D Diggins (Na Gaeil); K Mockus (Kerins O’Rahillys), R O’Connor (Ballymacelligott); F Boyle (do), E Carmody (John Mitchels), L Fusco (KOR), E O’Driscoll (Annascaul), A Costello (Na Gaeil), D McEvoy (Austin Stacks) 

Subs: E Neary (Ardfert) for L Fusco (40) 

Referee: E Horan (Glenflesk)