Sem see off a subdued Green

DUNLOE CUP SEMI-FINAL

St Brendans 1-19 Tralee CBS 1-11

ST Brendans Killarney booked their final berth for Kerry’s first major college title of the season with a masterclass against a somewhat subdued Tralee CBS.

The Sem absolutely lorded midfield early on through Killian O’Sullivan and Jamie Alade, repeatedly turning Tralee’s kick-outs into waves of attack. However, they struggled to show that dominance on the scoreboard.

Of their first ten scoring chances, all they had to show were pointed frees from Cian McMahon and Sam Benson and a point from play by Aodhán O’Neill, who also had a goal effort well saved by Ben Quilter. Conor Horan, The Green’s best performer, had two long range efforts (one free) on the board for his team.

However, the Sem re-adjusted their shooting sights and reeled off 0-6 on-the-trot through McMahon (2), O’Neill (2), Liam Randles, and Dara O’Callaghan – the Sem full-back was unquestionably the best player on view, followed closely by McMahon.

Conor Horan added another long free and Donncha Sayers pointed to make it 0-7 to 0-4, but the Sem responded with McMahon (2,1f) and Benson on target again. Conor Horan and Cian Foley exchanged scores before Cian McMahon made it 0-12 to 0-5.

The Green were hanging on in the game, but caught a real lifeline when Donncha Sayers set up Josh Lynch for a great goal. However, straight from the kick-out the Sem surged down the field and Charlie Keating finished a great move to the net.

Horan and Benson swapped scores to close out a fairly one-sided first half tnat saw St Brendans lead 1-13 to 1-6.

The Sem again dominated the third quarter. Cian McMahon (2), Cian Foley (2) and Liam Randles all split the posts and McMahon drew another great save out of Ben Quilter, with Conor Horan responding with two Tralee CBS frees to make it 1-18 to 1-8. The Green did rally late on with points from Josh Lynch, Donncha Sayers, and Thomas O’Donnell, but Jack Clifford’s point for the Sem closed out a comfortable victory.

The Sem await the winners of current holders SP Inbhearr Sceine and SP Sliabh Luachra in the other semi-final.

ST BRENDANS: Aaron O’Sullivan, Micheal Mullane, Dara O’The Sem will now Callaghan (0-1), Peter Cosgrove, Harry Byrne, Rian Colleran, Daragh Fleming, Killian O’Sullivan, Jamie Alade, Charlie Keating (1-0), Cian Foley (0-2), Liam Randles (0-2), Sam Benson (0-3, 1f), Cian McMahon (0-8, 5f), Aodhan O’Neill (0-2) Subs: Michael Moriarty for C Keating (44), Jack Clifford 0-1 for S Benson (44), Cian Doyle for M Mullane (46), Cian Lynch for L Randles (50)

TRALEE CBS: Ben Quilter, Ciaran White, Ruairi O’Connell, Liam Og Kingston, Nathan Rogers, TJ Heapy, Jerome Daly, Armin Heimrich, Conor Horan (0-7, 6f), Sean Healy, Donal Daly, Thomas O’Donnell (0-1), Donncha Sayers (0-2, 1f), Maurice O’Connell, Josh Lynch (1-1) Subs: Eric Mahon for J Daly (34), Sam Pituch for C White (44), Enda Cahill for M O’Connell (46), Ben Hannifin for D Daly (49), Ben Donnellan for N Rogers (51)

REFEREE: Jonathan Griffin (Glenbeigh / Glencar)