Sem secure all-Kerry final
CORN UÍ MHUIRÍ SEMI-FINAL
St Brendans 2-12 St Francis 2-8
YET again, The Sem’s campaign to win the Corn Uí Mhuirí for a record 26th time remains unbeaten but slightly unconvincing. Their problems against St Francis Rochestown were largely self-inflicted, and it took real character to get them over the line with a margin that belied how tight the struggle was.
Rochestown made a bright start, The Sem defence doing well to hold out under pressure from Sean Andrews and Adam Cantwell, with Alan O’Hare settling for a point before winning a free for Aaron Sheehy.
O’Hare and Sheehy would form a two man full-forward line but Rochestown left them too isolated as they blanket-packed their defence. With Mark Cooper, Ruairí Doyle, and Tom Doyle superb in The Sem’s defence, it left Rochestown fairly toothless. In fact, the Cork side wouldn’t have another shot for 26 minutes.
Michael Lenihan, though still effective, was clearly still struggling slightly after a shoulder injury, but Eoghan O’Sullivan was simply imperious, giving The Sem a real platform. However, that heavily packed defence was causing a lot of The Sem attacks to break down.
Emmet O’Shea, William Shine, Ryan O’Grady, and Jason Kerins did pick off points, but a lot of moves were breaking down at the last pass. However, The Sem did finally get through for a goal – Ryan O’Grady with a great midfield catch and off-loading to Dylan O’Callaghan.
The Firies player was hugely effective all day, his tackling in particular keeping Rochestown on the back foot, and his pass to Jason Kerins saw the Crokes man neatly drill home. William Shine made it 1-5 to 0-2 and it already looked like there was no way back for Rochestown. The last attack of the half saw Rochestown win a ‘45 that was spilled into the St Brendans’ net by a defender – it owed far more to luck than any skill, but it was a real life-line. Half-time St Brendans 1-5 Rochestown 1-2.
St Francis tore out of the starting blocks in the second half, reeling off four points onthe-trot. The Sem were following their men out, but Rochestown’s ball-carriers were slicing into the gaps and they reeled off four points on-the-trot, Aaron Sheehy with a free and Alan O’Hare with 0-3, 1f). St Brendans were making mistakes, especially with some sloppy passing, and an enervated Rochestown were pouncing with relish on every single one.
It does have to be said that one or two refereeing decisions weren’t helping; The Sem did appear to be denied a clear penalty after Pádraic Looney snapped up Dylan O’Callaghan’s fisted effort off the post and appeared to be fouled by the keeper.
Ryan O’Grady and William Shine nudged The Sem back in front, but once again Rochestown had the perfect response, Seán Andrews setting up Alan O’Hare for a great goal. 2-6 to 1-7. The Sem were beginning to sweat!
They have proven their resilience more than once in this campaign, though, and it came to the fore again. Emmet O’Shea picked off a point and stepped up to a penalty won by Dylan O’Callaghan. Emmet’s shot was brilliant and had to be; Cork minor keeper Cian O’Lerary made a great effort at saving it but failed. 2-8 to 2-6.
Aaron Sheehy (f) cut the gap back to a single point and they kept pressing, but the Sem defence was simply magnificent to a man. Emmet O’Shea and William Shine kept the scoreboard ticking over for The Sem. A great pass by Ryan O’Grady saw Dylan O’Callaghan make it 2-11 to 2-8 and O’Grady kicked a beautiful free after O’Callaghan was fouled.
At the other end there was still time for drama, Eoin Moynihan getting down fast to deny William Buckley from close range.
ST BRENDANS: Eoin Moynihan, Ruairi Doyle, Mark Cooper, Neil O’Shea, Tom Doyle, Terry Sparling, Evan Looney, Eoghan O’Sullivan, Michael Lenihan, Jason Kerins (1-1), Ryan O’Grady (0-3, 1f), Padraic Looney, William Shine (0-4), Dylan O’Callaghan (0-1), Emmet O’Shea (1-3, 1 pen) Subs: Harry Buckley for P Looney, 49, Cian O’Leary for M Cooper, 57
ST FRANCIS, ROCHESTOWN: Cian O’Leary, Mark Harrington, Barry McCarthy, Seán Cummins, Seán Brady, Nathan O’Connell, Seán Andrews, Adam Cantwell, Shane Aherne, Stephen Fenton, Alan O’Hare (1-4, 1f), Alan Connolly, Sean Harrington, Piaras O’Halloran, Aaron Sheehy (1-4, 1-0 ‘45, 4f) Subs: R O’Halloran for S Aherne, half-time, William Buckley for S Harrington, 49, Peter Leneghan for Connolly, 52, Fionn Sheehan for M Harrington, 55
REFEREE: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)