Frewen Cup: Costello-inspired Tralee CBS stage second-half comeback to topple ISK

Andy Costello had a big say in securing The Green’s place in the Frewen Cup semi-finals at Kerry GAA Centre of Excellence in Currans. Pic: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

Tralee CBS 2-15 Intermediate School Killorglin 3-8 

CBS The Green staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Intermediate School Killorglin by four points in an entertaining Frewen Cup quarter-final at the Kerry GAA Centre of Excellence in Currans. 

Trailing by eight points at half-time, the Tralee school overturned a seemingly commanding ISK lead, with Andy Costello inspiring their recovery.

Killorglin made the brighter start, with Luke Foley, Kieran Patton and Dara O’Connor registering the opening three points before Eric Quirke, Costello and Joe Field brought The Green level.

However, ISK then took control with a devastating attacking spell. Patton intercepted a kickout and, despite coming under pressure, managed to release Darragh McKenna, who finished emphatically to the roof of the net.

Patton followed with a point before McKenna struck again, dispossessing the goalkeeper and finishing brilliantly from a tight angle. 

Luke Foley added another fine point before Patton intercepted possession and embarked on an excellent run to fire home Killorglin’s third goal.

Suddenly, ISK led by eleven points, although late scores from Jason Gaynor, Costello and Field reduced the deficit to 3-5 to 0-6 at the interval.

The Green emerged with renewed determination. Gaynor and Costello traded scores with Patton before a superb two-pointer from Costello provided the spark the Tralee side desperately needed.

Darragh McKenna briefly steadied Killorglin with a point, but Andy Costello responded as The Green continued to build momentum.

The contest was transformed when substitute Eddie Carmody, shortly after his introduction, found the net to reduce the deficit to two points. Moments later, Costello produced another outstanding finish, firing home The Green’s second goal to complete an extraordinary turnaround and put his side ahead for the first time.

Kieran Patton converted a free – the ball marched forward from midfield for dissent – to restore parity, but the momentum was firmly with the Tralee school.

Costello edged The Green back in front from a free before Carmody and Gaynor extended their advantage with further points.

Appropriately, Costello had the final say, converting another free to seal a memorable victory and secure The Green’s place in the Frewen Cup semi-finals.

Scorers for TRALEE CBS: Andy Costello 1-8 (1tp, 4f); Eddie Camody 1-1; Jason Gaynor 0-3, Joe Field 0-2; Eric Quirke 0-1.

Scorers for ISK: Darragh McKenna 2-1; Kieran Patton 1-4 (2f); Luke Foley 0-2; Dara O’Connor 0-1 (1f).

TRALEE CBS: B O’Sullivan (Na Gaeil); S Barrett (Ardfert), M Riordan (Austin Stacks), D Gazi (Churchill); D Ahern (Austin Stacks), S Harty (Ardfert), T Diggin (Ardfert); A O’Connor (capt, Ballymacelligott), J Corridon (Ardfert); J Field (Na Gaeil), C Fitzgerald (Kerins O’Rahillys), E Quirke (Ballymacelligott); R O’Callaghan (John Mitchels), A Costello (Na Gaeil), J Gaynor (Ardfert).

Subs: D Cullinane (John Mitchels) for D Gazi (HT), D Brick (Na Gaeil) for C Fitzgerald (HT), H Leen (Ballymacelligott) for B O’Sullivan (39), D Diggins (Na Gaeil) for D Ahern (42), E Carmody (John Mitchels) for R O’Callaghan (49).

IS KILLORGLIN: D Riordan (Cromane); J Morris(Glenbeigh/Glencar), E Mulligan (Laune Rangers), D Fenton (Cromane); L Scannell (Listry), B O’Shea (Glenbeigh/Glencar), D Gleeson (Laune Rangers); L Foley (Beaufort), E Casey (capt, Listry); P O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar), D O’Connor (Cromane), A Galvin (Beaufort); D McKenna (Laune Rangers), K Patton (Laune Rangers), D Tangney (Listry).

Subs:

C Fitzpatrick (Milltown/Castlemaine) for P O’Sullivan (48), J Rooney (Beaufort) for D Tangney (54), C O’Sullivan (Laune Rangers) for D Gleeson (56).

Referee: Maurice Murphy (St Michaels/Foilmore).