David Clifford guides Sem to big win over the Green in Frewen semi
The St Brendan's College Killarney team before their Frewen Cup semi-final against Tralee CBS. Pic: Adrienne McLoughlin
David Clifford’s week could scarcely get any better. Seven days on from winning his third footballer of the year award, he was directing operations from the sideline as St Brendan's College Killarney had a statement win over fierce rivals Tralee CBS in the Munster Colleges Frewen Cup semi-final. The holders crushed the Green by fifteen points at Lewis Road.
The Sem were at their absolute best here, while an unfortunate Tralee CBS struggled to come to grips with the swirling breeze and never really produced their form of the earlier rounds.Â
The Sem burst right out of the starting blocks, kicking five points in as many minutes through Cian Hegarty, Jack Culloty, Cillian O'Donoghue, Daniel Cronin, and Darragh Keane.
Keane, the son of Kerry GAA executive officer Tom and nephew of ex-Kerry senior boss Peter, was outstanding throughout and top scored for his side. Tralee, who struggled badly to get their hands on their own kick-out, finally got on the scoreboard through Jason Gaynor, but the Sem replied instantly.
Joe O'Connor superbly set up Cillian O'Donoghue for their first goal. Gavin Deasy and Jack Culloty swapped scores at either end before Culloty, grandson of the late Johnny Culloty, fired home the Sem's second goal and Samuel Scroope popped up a minute later with another. Darragh Keane's free made it 3-7 to 0-2 and, while Calvin O'Sullivan did kick two late points for Tralee CBS, they were facing a nine-point deficit going in at half-time.
Danny Lane (brother of Paddy) did open the second half scoring and was just short with another effort, but points from Keane and Culloty soon had the Sem back on track. Tralee brought goalkeeper Jack Collins out to the forty for the second half and it paid dividends as he kicked a fine point, only for Hegarty to fire home a fourth goal to put the Sem in front by 4-9 to 0-6.
Tralee CBS never gave up and did score a superb goal through Tom Slattery, but realistically their challenge was beginning to peter out, with both sides trading points before Keane sealed an impressive win with a fifth goal just before the final whistle.
D. Keane (1-4, 2f), J. Culloty (1-3), C. O'Donoghue (1-1), C. Hegarty (1-1), S. Scroope (1-1), D. Cronin, M. Looney (0-1 each)
T. Slattery (1-0), J. Gaynor (0-3, 3f), C. O'Sullivan (0-2), J. Collins, E. Mangan, G. Deasy, D. Lane (0-1 each)
J. Murphy (Killarney Legion), K. Kelly (Dr. Crokes), R. Guerin (Glenflesk), C. Clifford (Dr. Crokes), D. Stack (Spa), C. Stack (Kilcummin), C. Lynch (Dr. Crokes), D. Cronin (Firies), M. Looney (Killarney Legion), C. O'Donoghue (Listry), S. Scroope (Killarney Legion), J. O'Connor (Kilcummin), C. Hegarty (Killarney Legion), J. Culloty (Killarney Legion), D. Keane (Kilcummin).Â
Subs: C. Finnegan (Kilcummin) for D. Stack, 45, F. O'Donnell (Dr. Crokes) for J. Culloty, 47, É. Hennigan (Dr. Crokes) for C. Hegarty, 47, L. O'Mahony (Kilcummin) for D. Cronin, inj., 56, L. O'Shea (Dr. Crokes) for C. O'Donoghue, 58Â
J. Collins (Ballymacelligott), E. Mangan (Austin Stacks), D. Field (John Mitchels), E. Tansley (Na Gaeil), D. O'Callaghan, R Kirby (Ardfert), G. Deasy (Churchill), M. Corridan (Ardfert), A. Molloy (John Mitchels), T. Lenihan (Churchill), D. Kingston (Na Gaeil), T. Slattery (Na Gaeil), D. Lane (Austin Stacks), J. Gaynor (Ardfert), Calvin O'Sullivan (John Mitchels).Â
Subs: D. McMahon (Ballymacelligott) for D. Field, 18, L Hanafin (John Mitchels) for E. Tansley, 29, A. O'Connor (Ballymacelligott) for D. Kingston, half-time, D. Cullinan (John Mitchels) for G. Deasy, 37Â
T. McCarthy (Castleisland Desmonds)
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