Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee became the third Kerry school to top a group in the TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí with an improved second-half display to take victory over Pobalscoil Chorcha Dhuibhne.

The result also ended their West Kerry counterpart's hopes of making it to the knockout stages and confirmed Cork’s Coachford College's position as group runners-up. 

Despite a competitive first half between the sides, Chorcha Dhuibhne simply had no answer for Mounthawk in the second period.

A very tight opening half saw Mounthawk lead by 0-6 to 0-2 after 16 minutes as James de hÓra worked wonders at both ends for Chorcha Dhuibhne. 

He put over a long-distance free just outside the 45 metre line and also saved a goal chance for Odhran Ferris in the 22nd minute. A Cian Mac Gearailt free brought Chorcha Dhuibhne back within one before Sean Corkery’s point at the other end made it 0-7 to 0-5 at half-time in favour of Mounthawk.

Seven minutes into the second half, the Tralee side had their first goal as Niall Collins passed to Tomas Kennedy for the finish to make it 1-10 to 0-6. 

The match arguably ended as a contest 10 minutes later when Ferris punished some sloppy passing by Chorcha Dhuibhne. He gave the ball to Paddy Lane and the Austin Stacks clubman - who ended the day with 1-8 (4f) - finished to the net.

Both Cian and Padraig Mac Gearailt were Chorcha Dhuibhne’s only second-half scorers as Ferris eventually got a goal for himself in the 49th minute for his school’s third on the day.

Mounthawk will be delighted to be straight through to the quarter-finals post-Christmas with a 100% record from their three games. 

They can focus on a more local matter now with the O’Sullivan Cup final (Kerry A Championship) against St Brendan's, due for Tuesday week. The Sem and Colaiste Na Sceilge (as group winners) are the other confirmed Kerry sides through to the knockout stages, as things stand.

Chorcha Dhuibhne will not lack regret about the opening day against Coachford and that late, late Max O’Leary goal that saw the debutants snatch victory by a point.

Scorers for Mercy Mounthawk: P Lane (1-8, 4f), O Ferris (1-1), T Kennedy (1-0), J Murphy, D Kirby, N Collins and S Corkery (0-1).

Scorers for Pobalscoil Chorcha Dhuibhne: C Mac Gearailt (0-4, 2f), P MacGearailt (0-2), J de hÓra (0-1, 1f). 

Mercy Mounthawk: M Tansley (Austin Stacks); G Riordan (Ardfert), O McGibney (Churchill), B Sharp (St Pats/Blennerville); P O’Halloran (Austin Stacks), J Murphy (do), O Murphy (Churchill); D Kirby (Austin Stacks), C O’Gara (Churchill); N Collins (Ballymacelligott), S Corkery (John Mitchels); P Lane (Austin Stacks), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahillys), J Hoare (do). 

Subs: J Fisher (Austin Stacks) for B Sharp (H/T), C Mason (Churchill) for O Murphy, B Meehan (Kerins O’Rahillys) for J Hoare (both), N Townsend (Austin Stacks) for P O’Halloran (50), S Lynch (Ballymacelligott) for D Kirby (52). 

Pobalscoil Chorcha Dhuibhne: J de hÓra (Daingean Ui Chúis); D Ó Laighin (An Ghaeltacht), C Ó Fearghaill Gromail (do), JJ Mac Liam (do); C Ó Dufaigh (do), S Ó Cúinn (do), T Ó Cathail (Daingean Uí Chúis); S Ó Conchúir (Lios Póil), N Ó Riain (Daingean Uí Chúis); D Ó Séaghdha (An Ghaeltacht), J Mac Gearailt (do), C Cordubh (do); C Ó Cinnedie (Lios Póil), P McGearailt (Caisléain), C Mac Gearailt (An Ghaeltacht). 

Subs: O Ó Donnagáin (Daingeain Ui Chúis) for T Ó Cathail (21), PS Ó Muircheartaigh (Lios Póil) for S Ó Conchúir (53), Ronan Ó Conchúir (do) for D Ó Séaghdha (57). 

Referee: S Mulvihill (St Senans)