Sauerland goal vital in poignant victory

PSCHORCADHUIBHNE 2-13 TRALEECBS 1-10

CORN UÍ MHUIRÍ FINAL POBALSCOIL Chorca Dhuibhne regained their Munster Colleges SFC ‘A’ title thanks to a dominant secondhalf display, beating Tralee CBS in Saturday’s final at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney after what manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice admitted was “a challenging preparation”.

This was due to the tragic death of 14-year-old Chorca Dhuibhne defender Aodhán O’Connor two weeks ago while playing with the school and Aodhán was not forgotten on Saturday.

As a mark of respect, the number 2 jersey which Aodhán used to wear was not used and corner-back Conor Ó Flanúra wore number 28 instead. Fitzmaurice spoke afterwards about how difficult it was to prepare for the delayed final. “I don’t think there is any roadmap on how to deal with those situations,” he said. “Franz (Sauerland, captain) spoke very well about Aodhán in his speech. It is a great to have won a Corn Uí Mhuirí, but all these things are put into perspective. Our thoughts remain with Aodhán’s family.”

The crucial score that saw Chorca Dhuibhne capture their fifth Corn Uí Mhuirí title in seven years came six minutes from time when a high centre from Ruairí Ó Beaglaoich was finished to the Tralee CBS net by Sauerland and two late points from Deividas Uosis ensured there was no late drama.

Tralee CBS dominated the opening quarter with Sean Quilter lording matters at midfield and they raced 0-5 to 0-2 clear by the 20th minute but Chorca Dhuibhne stuck to their task and finished the first half the stronger, scoring four unanswered points, three from Ó Beaglaoich and one a converted free from Uosis to lead 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval.

Inside the opening minute of the second half, Michael Kelleher set up Fergal O’Brien for a Tralee goal. Dylan Ó Geibheannaigh then put Cillian Ó Failbhe in and he finished to the net to edge his side into a 1-6 to 1-5 lead. The sides were level on three occasions thereafter before Sauerland pounced for the defining score. SCORERS – PS Chorca Dhuibhne: R Ó Beaglaoich 0-6 (4f); F Sauerland, C Firtéar 1-0 each; D Uosis 0-3 (2f); D Ó Géibheannaigh 0-2; J Ághas, C Firtéar 0-1 each. Tralee CBS: M Kelleher 0-3 (2f); F O’Brien 1-0; S Quilter (1 ‘45), D Regan 0-2 each; D Fitzmaurice, D Goggin, J Mortimer 0-1 each.

TRALEE CBS – D Burns; P White, T Brick, D Bourke; J Walsh, S Hamilton, J Myers; S Quilter, D Fitzmaurice; D Goggin, D Regan, M Scanlon; F O’Brien, J Lenihan, M Kelleher. Subs: E Carroll for White (BC, 32); D Keane for J Lenihan (38); J Mortimer for D Regan (52); D O’Rourke for D Goggin (58); K Williams for Hamilton (60).

PS CHORCA DHUIBHNE – E Ó Brosnacháin; C Ó Flannúra, T Ó Dubháin, C Ó Muircheartaigh; P Ó Cathalláin, G Ó Leidhinn, C Ó Mhuircheartaigh; F Sauerland, J Ághas; N Ó Géibheannaigh, C Ó Failbhe, C Firtéar; D Ó Geibheannaigh, D Uosis, R Ó Beaglaoich. Subs: S Óg O Móráin for Firtéar (58); A Ó Dubháin for Ó Failbhe (59)

REF – D Murnane (Cork)