Spioraid Naoimh blitz Tralee to roar back into Corn contention
Coláiste an Spioráid Naomh players Tomas O'Keeffe, Sean Connolly, Odhran Foley and Mark O'Brien surround Jerh Brosnan, Tralee CBS during their TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí group 2 match at Banteer, Co Cork. Picture Dan Linehan
Four goals in the second-half completed a stunning performance from Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in the TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí at the 4G in Banteer on Wednesday. Following this nine-goal thriller, it means all four teams in this Group 4 are now on two points. However Tralee CBS have yet to play HHS Bandon (next Tuesday), and HHS must play Skibbereen CS (Friday).
While qualification is out of the Bishopstown school’s hands having completed their group matches, if it does come down to score difference, they would appear to be in a healthy position.
Four green flags were shared in the opening half, Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in front 2-7 to 2-5.
It was the CBS who got into an attacking stride straight from restart with Ronan Carroll’s pile-driver giving them the initiative. While it looked like they might pull away, Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh gave themselves a fighting chance when Kevin Murphy levelled, 3-6 to 2-9.
Then with the bare minimum between the sides, the goals started to flow, and the Cork representatives ran riot in the fourth quarter.
Mark O’Brien’s effort was saved by Oisin O’Halloran but Tomás O’Keeffe made no mistake with the rebound. Two minutes later, O’Brien bagged one of his own.
Second-half substitute Adam O’Sullivan (not started because he was due to play a hurling match later) had the Midas touch for the next two goals in the 55th and 57th minute - Kevin Murphy and Neil Crowley played major parts in his first, while Darragh O’Donovan set up the second.
In the end, a winning margin of 10 points.
And all the more impressive as they trailed 1-3 to 0-4 after quarter of an hour. Luke Rochford the Tralee goal getter after he intercepted the kick-out in the third minute.
It took Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh until the 22nd minute to build up any degree of momentum, O’Donovan booted a goal, and it ignited a green flag burst before the break.
Jake Foley, following an excellent one-two with Pat Brosnan got a second major for the CBS.
Not to be outdone, back came Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in first-half stoppage through Crowley who netted after Murphy hit the woodwork.
A O’Sullivan (2-1), T O’Keeffe (1-2), G Holland (0-5, 0-1 free), D O’Donovan (1-1), M O’Brien and N Crowley (1-0 each), O Foley, K Werner (free) and K Murphy (0-1 each).
L Rochford (1-3), R Carroll (1-2, 0-1 free), J Foley (1-0), J Brosnan (0-3, 0-1 free), M McKivergan, O O’Halloran (’45) and H Lenihan (0-1 each).
S Cronin (Bishopstown); C O’Sullivan (Inniscarra), M Ahern (St Finbarr’s), C Dineen (Inniscarra); D O’Donovan (Bishopstown), M O’Brien (Ballinora), O Foley (Bishopstown); T O’Keeffe (St Finbarr’s), K Murphy (Bishopstown); J Brady (St Finbarr’s), G Holland (Bishopstown), S Connolly (Inniscarra); K Werner (Ballinora), N Crowley (Bishopstown), S Kirby (St Finbarr’s).
A O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig) for S Kirby (half-time), B Cahill (Bishopstown) for K Werner (39), D Byrne (Ballinora) for J Brady (44), S Sheridan (Bishopstown) for N Crowley (61).
O O’Halloran (Ardfert); S Barrett (Na Gaeil) E O’Flaherty (Ardfert) E Moriarty (Ballymacelligott); T Deregee (Austin Stacks) O O’Sullivan (Na Gaeil) M Lenihan (Churchill); J Foley (Kerins O’Rahillys) S Óg Brosnan (Austin Stacks); H Lenihan (Churchill), R Carroll (Austin Stacks) P Brosnan (Moyvane); J Brosnan (Moyvane) M McKivergan (Ballymacelligott) L Rochford (Ballyduff).
F Ryan (Austin Stacks) for S Óg Brosnan (half-time), A Kerins (Tralee Parnells) for H Lenihan (35), L Óg O’Connor (Ardfert) for O O’Sullivan (40), D Corridon (Ardfert) for M McKivergan (42), K Best (Ardfert) for J Brosnan (45).
Denis Hickey (Millstreet).
