Tralee CBS ensure Corn Uí Mhuirí knockout progression with dominant second-half display
QUALIFICATION SECURED: Liam Óg O'Connor, Tralee CBS looking to win a breaking ball from Paul Kelly, Hamilton High School, Bandon during their TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí group 4 match at Banteer. Pic: Dan Linehan
Tralee CBS turned on the style in the second-half to secure victory in the TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí at the 4G in Banteer to progress to the knockout stage.
The Kerry team had only needed a draw to qualify from Group 4.
They outscored Hamilton High School 11 points to four in that dominant second period with some quality attacking football, equally matched by some ferocious defending on the other end.
Hamilton High School also qualified, as both teams finished with four points, but they will be disappointed with the result seeing as they were very much in contention at half-time, 1-7 (HHS) to 2-4.
It remained level pegging in the 40th minute, 2-6 to 1-9.
Hamilton High School did have a goal opportunity but Humphry Canty’s effort came back off the woodwork when one-on-one with goalkeeper Oisin O’Halloran.
Tralee CBS then grabbed the initiative.
A flurry of six unanswered points from Jerh Brosnan (chief scorer with 1-7), Hugh Lenihan, Andrew Kerins, Ronan Carroll, Pat Brosnan and Luke Rochford put them in the driving seat. Ill discipline was costly for HHS, with Brosnan at the ready to punish them.
With a clear two-goal advantage coming down the stretch, they weren’t going to be caught.
A green flag in the ninth minute gave Hamilton High School a great boost at the start when Michael Maguire got the final touch to a build-up that also involved captain Seán Mac an tSaoi and Canty. They were 1-2 to 0-1 in front at this juncture.
It wasn’t long before Tralee CBS matched them with two frees from Brosnan, and Ronan Carroll slotted a penalty on the quarter-hour mark after the ball was touched on the ground.
It only got better for the Kerry outfit, they pulled away with a second goal five minutes later after Brosnan did trojan work himself before finding the net.
Points from Carroll and Brosnan in quick succession opened up a double scores lead, 2-4 to 1-2.
But for the remaining 10 minutes, Hamilton High School moved the ball with pace and precision to create a host of chances, which they duly took.
Mac an tSaoi was accurate from frees, nailing two from out on the right flank.
From open play, Oisin McCarthy kicked two wonderful points and there was another from Mac an tSaoil.
All square at the interval, but then came the CBS onslaught.
J Brosnan (1-7, 0-6 frees), R Carroll (1-2, 1-0 pen), H Lenihan (0-3, 0-1 free), L Rochford, P Brosnan and A Kerins (0-1 each).
S Mac an tSaoil (0-6, 0-4 frees), M Maguire (1-2), O McCarthy (0-2), D Flanagan (0-1).
O O’Halloran (Ardfert); A Kerins (Tralee Parnells), E O’Flaherty (Ardfert), E Moriarty (Ballymacelligott); T Deregee (Austin Stacks), F Ryan (Austin Stacks), O O’Sullivan (Na Gaeil); L Óg O’Connor (Ardfert), M Lenihan (Churchill); P Brosnan (Moyvane), L Rochford (Ballyduff), J Foley (Kerins O’Rahillys); H Lenihan (Churchill), R Carroll (Austin Stacks), J Brosnan (Moyvane).
M McKivergan (Ballymacelligott) for T Deregee (half-time), S Óg Brosnan (Austin Stacks) for O O’Sullivan (36), D Corridon (Ardfert) for P Brosnan, S Barrett (Na Gaeil) for E Moriarty (both 60).
J Woods (Valley Rovers); N Daly (Valley Rovers), S Aherne (Bandon), D Crowley (Bandon); S Browne (Valley Rovers), J Cullinane (Bandon), K Dart O’Flynn (Valley Rovers); P Kelly (Newcestown), O McCarthy (Valley Rovers); D Flanagan (Newcestown), S Mac an tSaoi (Valley Rovers), S Barry (Sam Maguires); H Canty (Newcestown), M Maguire (Castlehaven), H O’Mahony (Bandon).
H O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers) for D Flanagan (51), J Hennigan (Sam Maguires) for N Daly (54).
Denis Hickey (Millstreet).
