Corn Uí Mhuirí: Tralee CBS produce the goods in second-half to see off rivals St Brendan's 

Eoin O'Flaherty of Tralee CBS and Cian Mulcahy of St Brendan's, Killarney. Pic: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

Corn Uí Mhuirí: Tralee CBS 0-12 St Brendan’s Killarney 0-9 

This wasn’t a game for the football purists, but Tralee CBS proved that they were willing to get down and dirty as they produced a much improved second-half display to record a comeback victory over St Brendan’s in the Munster Colleges SFC quarter-final.

This Corn Uí Mhuirí encounter between the age-old rivals was played in difficult weather and underfoot conditions at Austin Stack Park and, trailing by three points at the break, the ‘Green were facing a test of their characters on the changeover.

However, with Gearóid White warming to his task excellently, Tralee CBS, outright favourites for provincial honours from the beginning of the season, showed they had more than enough stomach for the fight in eventually seeing off the most gallant of opponents.

A stupendous two-point 50 metre missile from White, off his trusty left peg, in the 48th minute, gave Tralee CBS the lead for the very first time in the contest. 

Indeed, that orange flag from play, and a previous one from a placed ball by Ronan Carroll, was the ultimate difference between the sides.

With the ‘Green opting to play against the breeze in the opening half, St Brendan’s got off to the proverbial flyer, with Ben Kelliher firing over in the first minute. 

A brace from Liam O’Brien (one free) quickly had the lead out to three points.

Tralee CBS were extremely slow to get into their stride, and didn’t open their account until White tapped over a free in the 17th minute. Indeed, they didn’t score at all from play before the half-time whistle, the John Mitchels’ man adding two more placed balls.

By the break, after a couple of excellent points from play by Samuel Scroope and Mark O’Carroll, the ‘Sem had a three-point advantage at the break, 0-6 to 0-3, and they were full value for that cushion thanks to a very competent opening 30 minutes.

It was a different story on the resumption however. Tralee CBS upped the tempo by a considerable degree, especially in their pressing from the front, with Ryan Hurley and a Carroll free sending out an early statement of intent.

St Brendan’s were not for retreating into their shells though, and two superb points, courtesy of Brian O’Shea and Joey McCarthy had the margin out to three points again (0-8 to 0-5) after 41 minutes, with the contest finally moving up a gear or two.

A textbook White turnover created a point for Nick Lacey, and a booming Carroll orange flag placed ball had the protagonists at parity entering the last quarter. An instant white flag at the other end by Finan Blackwell showed that the ‘Sem still had the belief.

Yet, when all is said and done, everything changed on White’s almost ridiculous two-point missile from deep in the 50th minute. 

St Brendan’s would not register again, with late efforts from substitute Darragh Murphy and centre-back Eoin O’Flaherty sealing the toughest of victories for Tralee CBS.

Scorers for Tralee CBS: G White 0-5 (0-3fs, 1tp), R Carroll 0-3 (0-1f, 1tpf), R Hurley, N Lacey, D Murphy, E O’Flaherty 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Brendan’s Killarney: B Kelliher 0-2 (0-1f), L O’Brien 0-2 (0-1f), S Scroope, M O’Carroll, B O’Shea, J McCarthy, F Blackwell 0-1 each.

TRALEE CBS: O Lata (Austin Stacks); M Enright (St Pat’s), E Moriarty (Ballymac), S Turner (Ballymac); F Ryan (Austin Stacks), E O’Flaherty (Ardfert), M Corridon (Ardfert); M McKivergan (Ballymac), C McKenna (Churchill); T O’Connor (Ballyduff), R Carroll (Austin Stacks), T Quilter (Churchill); R Hurley (St Senan’s), G White (John Mitchels), N Lacey (Kerins O’Rahillys).

Subs: C Hurley (St Senan’s) for O’Connor (45), D Murphy (St Pat’s) for R Hurley (54).

ST BRENDAN’S KILLARNEY: C Mitchell (Spa); D McCarthy (Listry), Z Cronin (Kilcummin), C Clifford (Dr Crokes); J Rudden (Glenflesk), C Mulcahy (Dr Crokes), C Stack (Kilcummin); B Walsh (Killarney Legion), M O’Carroll (Dr Crokes); F Blackwell (Killarney Legion), J McCarthy (Spa), S Scroope (Killarney Legion); L O’Brien (Glenflesk), B Kelliher (Dr Crokes), B O’Shea (Killarney Legion).

Subs: F Doyle (Fossa) for Scroope (49), J Nash (Dr Crokes) for Rudden, inj (54), J Henderson (Firies) for Blackwell (54), C Lynch (Dr Crokes) for Mulcahy (60+2).

Referee: B Griffin (Clounmacon).