The Green and The Sem clash to decide Frewen Cup honours

MUNSTER U-16.5 ‘A’ FC (FREWEN CUP) FINAL

Tralee CBS v St Brendans Killarney Wednesday, February 26 1.30pm, venue TBC

ST Brendan’s College opened their campaign with a 1-9 to 1-5 win over Bandon – it would have been much tougher if Bandon had been a bit more direct, but The Sem would have been happy overall, especially with their defence. Next up was a quarter-final against Killorglin that never lived up to its billing as an under-strength Killorglin were swept aside by 5-18 to 1-7. The semi-final pitted the school against a Rochestown team who had proven unbeatable in Munster at U-15 grade, but The Sem have worked constantly in improvement since then and won with quite a bit to spare (310 to 0-5). That said, they won’t have been happy at the amount of chances they left after them.

Aaron O’Sullivan is an excellent keeper, while Dara O’Callaghan, Peter Cosgrave, and Harry Byrne have been integral to a very strong defence. Ethan O’Neill and Killian O’Sullivan have been strong in midfield. Up front Cian McMahon is a great target-man and deadly direct, while Cian Foley’s pinpoint accuracy from play and frees is a key weapon, well assisted by Jack Clifford, Liam Randles, and Aodhán O’Neill.

Tralee CBS had a bye straight into the quarter-final (it is a huge pity to see so few Munster colleges competing at this grade) where they faced off against neighbours Mercy Mounthawk. It ended up a comfortable win for the Green, 4-17 to 3-2. Earnán Ferris scored two goals for Mounthawk, who were under-strength because of a basketball final the day before, but Tralee put in a great performance and could be especially pleased about the big spread of scorers.

That put them into a semi-final against Clonmel, and this was a tough battle – Tralee won out by 1-16 to 2-8 in a real test of fitness as well as skill.

Ben Quilter is as solid as a gamekeeper in goal as his older brother is as a poacher. Ruairi O’Connell on the square is flanked by Liam Óg Kingston and Ciarán White, two sticky and skilled defenders.

Conor Horan and Armin Heinrich in midfield are both starters for the Corn Uí Mhuirí Final, Heinrich at no.6 and Horan at no.9 – that game is just four days before the Frewen Final, that’s asking an awful lot of young players in my opinion. Heinrich and free-taker Horan regularly trouble the scoreboard, while the Green have a plethora of dangerous forwards like Donnacha Sayers, Maurice O’Connell, Thomas O’Connell, Josh Lynch, and Ben Hanafin.

Tralee CBS are slightly better at converting chances into scores, while St Brendans generally create more opportunities. It’s likely that the winners of the Corn Uí Mhuirí will carry extra momentum into this one, while the losers will carry extra incentive.