The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Clifford masterclass helps The Sem to Hogan Cup glory
TWENTY-FOUR years after they last won it, and for just the third time in their storied football history, St Brendan’s College, Killarney were crowned Hogan Cup champions.
It was a long time coming but the classes of 1969 and 1992 have new companions as Hogan Cup champions, after The Sem dug deep in Croke Park to claim a gripping All-Ireland College SFC ‘A’ title against St Patrick’s from Maghera in Derry.
The Killarney school’s record in these Hogan Cup finals wasn’t great: in six previous finals they had managed just those two victories.
Defeats in the 2008 and 2010 deciders had been bitter pills to swallow, but out of those heart-breaking defeats a new dawn emerged within the famed Killarney football nursery.
The Derry school could, with good cause, feel this was another final thrown away from a winning position, but when nerve and discipline was required St Pats were found wanting where St Brendans were not.
Conor Glass, Maghera’s classy county minor midfielder, was sent off for a petulant off-the-ball hit and the absence of their team captain for the last 16 minutes proved very costly for the Ulster champions, at a time when they led by three points.
When their need was greatest, David Clifford and Dara Moynihan produced superb performances for The Sem.
Clifford reeled off three points to level the contest before Dan O’Brien was sent off for the Kerry side – again, like with Glass, only the referee and officials seemed to spot the incident that led to the red card.
A Clifford goal in the 57th minute put The Sem three points ahead as they sensed victory and the Fossa teenager capped a magnificent personal performance with a second goal in the added-time to crown a memorable day for St Brendan’s.
The significance of the achievement wasn’t lost on two-goal hero Clifford.
“The players that have won it before are always remembered, and I suppose when you look at the players who have played for the school in the past and haven’t won it makes it all the more special,” he said.