A SOMEWHAT fortunate goal by the opportunist David Clifford sent St Brendan’s College, Killarney on their way to a stunning 1-14 to 0-4 over Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne who were seeking a fifth Corn Uí Mhuirí title on the trot as well as their third Hogan Cup win in succession.
The defending All-Ireland title holders came unstuck, in no uncertain terms, at Lewis Road this afternoon when they struggled to contain a really up-for-it and hugely impressive Sem side, trained by the astute Garry McGrath, in a fascinating quarter-final tie.
The towering David Clifford, one of the most naturally gifted young stars in the game in Kerry, was a major injury doubt before the tie and, like Spa corner forward, he had to undergo intensive treatment before the throw-in. But he lined out at centre forward and his goal was the crowning glory in a very emphatic victory.
Seeking a point, he pumped the ball high from distance but he could scarcely believe his luck when Dingle goalkeeper, Deividas Uosis, fumbled and it ended up in the back of the net.
The floodgates really opened on the hotly fancied Dingle side, trained by Kieran Moran and Tommy Griffin, but their remarkable run in Munster came to a sudden halt when they encountered the very sleek and stylish Sem team made up of several of last year’s All-Ireland winning Kerry minors and a number of this year’s squad.
In today’s other semi-final St Flannans of Ennis shocked Rathmore’s Scoil Pobail Sliabh Luachra by a single point, 1-9 to 1-8, and St Brendan’s College will now meet the Clare outfit on February 6.
In the other quarter finals Rochestown had a 1-6 to 0-7 victory over Cork rivals Clonakilty while Clonmel High School neat Bllincollig’s Colaiste Cholim 1-11 to 1-8.
St Brendan’s College: David Carroll (Spa); Michael Potts (Dr Crokes); Chris O’Donoghue (Glenflesk); Cian Gammell (Legion); David Naughton (Dr Crokes); Dan O’Brien (Glenflesk); Niall O’Donoghue (Firies); Lee O’Donoghue (Glenflesk); Billy Courtney (Dr Crokes); Dara Moynihan (Spa); David Clifford (Fossa); Peter McCarthy (Legion); Evan Cronin (Spa); David Shaw (Dr Crokes); Mike Casey (Dr Crokes).
Subs: David Spillane (Spa); William Courtney (Firies); Finbarr Murphy (Legion); Mark O’Shea (Dr Crokes); Creagh Courtney (Dr Crokes); Donnchadh O’Sullivan (Firies); Adam O’Shea (Dr Crokes); Cian O’Callaghan (Firies); Ciaran Flynn (Firies); Cathal O’Shea (Firies); Mark Harnettt (Dr Crokes); Jamie O’Donoghue (Kilcummin); Michael Pierce (Legion); Sean O’Leary (Kilcummin).
