The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Pobalscoil do the needful against ISK
Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne 0-16 Intermediate School Killorglin 1-7
AN encounter that felt a bit flat at times with the practically deserted setting in Austin Stack Park but Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne did what they had to do in advancing to the semi-finals as they were better able to convert chances when they came their way last Wednesday lunchtime.
Intermediate School Killorglin won’t lack regrets about a number of goalscoring opportunities that came their way but Pobalscoil were the better team and had a decent range of scorers in the form of Cillian Ó Fáilbhe, Dylan Ó Géibheannaigh and Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich who combined for five/eights (10) of their 16 scores in proceedings.
Pobalscoil goalkeeper Eoghain Ó Brosnacháin had to be vigilant early on in stopping an early goal chance for Killorglin and it became a bit of a theme in the game as despite plenty of endeavour they just lacked the finishing touch to see off their chances. Colm Ó Muircheartaigh and Gearóid Ó Leidhinn were giving Pobalscoil a big platform in the half-back line as they led by 0-6 to 0-1 after the opening 20 minutes.
Gearóid Hassett did make a great break towards goal for Killorglin before the break but Ó Brosnacháin was alert to Cian O’Shea trying to finish off the move as the half-time break approached with Pobalscoil leading 0-8 to 0-3.
They scored the first four points of the second-half to kill off any semblance of a contest as Killorglin had to wait for a point from Darragh O’Connor in the 42nd minute for a first second-half score. All-Ireland Minor All-Star goalkeeper Deividas Uosis was introduced as an outfield substitute midway through the second-half following a return from some time in Eastern Europe over the previous month and he converted a free as part of Pobalscoil’s second-half total. The West Kerry school’s advantage was as high as nine points at one stage of the second-half but to their credit Killorglin kept up their search for a goal.
Ronan O’Shea and O’Connor were both denied in one opportunity in 58th minute as Ó Brosnacháin firstly and Cathal Firtear for the rebound stopped the ball going in. Deep into injury-time however and the goal line was breached as despite another Ó Brosnacháin save, substitute Gearóid Griffin managed to force the ball over the line for a better reflection on the final scoreline for Killorglin.
Ciaran Kennedy and Ian McGuillicuddy tried hard at midfield but the loss of Roan Moriarty, Eoin O’Sullivan and Conor Murphy beforehand proved too much for Killorglin to deal with. The school still await a first semi-final appearance since 2009 but the introduction of Transition Year next year might play a role in making them more competitive. For Pobalscoil now possibly one of the most eagerly awaited Corn Uí Mhuirí games in some time awaits in early February when they face defending champions St Brendans College, Killarney.
The sharing of the last four Hogan Cups and the last six Corn Uí Mhuirí titles between the two Schools making the encounter all the more appealing! POBALSCOIL CHORCA DHUIBHNE: Eoghain Ó Brosnacháin (Daingean Uí Chúis); Sean Ó Morain (do), Tomas Ó Dubhain (do), Conchúir Ó Flannúra (do); Colm Ó Muircheartaigh (Abha Na Scáil, 0-1), Gearóid Ó Leidhinn (do, 0-1), Padraig Ó Cathalláin (An Gaeltacht); Franz Sauerland (do), Seamus Aghás (ANS); Cathal Ó Beaglaoich (DUC), Cillian Ó Fáilbhe (ANS, 0-4), Niall Ó Géibheannaigh (DUC); Dylan Ó Géibheannaigh (do, 0-3, 1f), Cathal Feirtear (ANS, 0-2), Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich (AG, 0-3, 1f). Subs: Deividas Uosis (DUC, 0-1, 1f) for Niall Ó Géibheannaigh, Stiofan Ó Conchúir (AG, 0-1) for Cathal Ó Beaglaoich, Bréanainn Ó Bric (do) for Ó Cathalláin, Sean Ó Beoláin (DUC) for Sauerland and Conn Ó Riagáin (AG) for Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich. INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL KILLORGLIN: Jack Clifford (Cromane); Oisín O’Connor (Glenbeigh/Glencar, 0-1), Kieran O’Sullivan (Cromane), Keith Suter (Beaufort); James Hurley (Laune Rangers), David Mangan (do), Conor Sugrue (Cromane); Ciarán Kennedy (Beaufort, 0-2, 2f), Ian McGuillicuddy (Beaufort); Mark O’Connor (LR), Darragh O’Connor (do, 0-1), Darragh Casey (G/G); Gearóid Hassett (LR), Cian O’Shea (do, 0-3, 2f), Cathal Crosbie (Cromane). Subs: Gabriel Griffin (LR) for Suter, Ronan O’Shea (do) for Casey, Oisín Daly (do) for Hurley, Cian McCarthy (Fossa) for Sugrue and Gearóid Griffin (G/G, 1-0) for Hassett.
REFEREE: Tom McCarthy (Castleisland Desmonds)