ALL-IRELAND SFC ‘A’ SEMI-FINAL (HOGAN CUP): ST BRENDAN’S, KILLARNEY 4-15 ST BENILDUS 0-9
EARLY GOALS SEE BENILDUS UNDONE
Daire Walsh
THERE was disappointment at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh yesterday afternoon for St Benildus College, who were comprehensively defeated by St Brendan’s, Killarney in the much-anticipated Hogan Cup semi-final.
The Kilmacud outfit had reached the penultimate round of the All-Ireland series as a result of their victory over Marist College, Athlone in last month’s provincial decider, but with the Brendan’s full-forward line of Evan Cronin, Mikey Casey and David Shaw exerting a massive influence, their Kingdom counterparts progressed with 18 points to spare (4-15 to 0-9).
AIMING
With players from Kilmacud Crokes, Naomh Olaf, Ballinteer St John’s and Thomas Davis in their starting line-up, James Trimble’s charges were aiming to make a big impact.
However, an impressive Brendan’s set out their stall during the first-quarter, and courtesy of goals from Casey and Cronin in the 11th and 15th minutes respectively, they had created significant dayight between the teams. Indeed – via an excellent pass by Billy Courtney – Dr Crokes’ Shaw added a third goal in the closing moments of the opening period, before Benildus opened their account with a point from midfielder Callum Pearson.
This effort was swiftly followed by another fine score by half-forward Andrew Fox, but when the half-time whistle sounded, the Metropolitans were facing into a 0-2 to 3-7 deficit. This left the Dublin finalists with a mountain to climb upon the resumption, and in an attempt to force their way back into contention, Kilmacud star Adam Kelly was introduced to the Benildus defence.
RESTART
It was certainly a much-improved performance from the southsiders after the restart, with corner-forward Sean O’Brien proving to be particularly effective. O’Brien was joined on the inside line by his his Naomh Olaf compatriots Tom Keane and Tom Fox, and his 0-3 contribution provided Benildus with some solace in the second half.
A 0-2 salvo by Keane was complimented by points from Dan O’Brien and centre-forward Joseph Rafferty, but with Cronin (who finished with a personal haul of 2-3) securing a fourth goal for the Kerry side, it was always going to be a damage limitation exercise.
This was a difficult way for Benildus to end their memorable Championship campaign, but they now have a forthcoming Dublin SF ‘A’ showdown with St Aidan’s CBS to look forward to.
SCORERS – ST BRENDAN’S, KILLARNEY: E Cronin 2-3, D Shaw 1-1, D Clifford 0-4 (1f), M Casey 1-0, D Moynihan 0-3, P McCarthy 0-2, A O’Shea, C O’Shea 0-1 each. St Benildus College: S O’Brien 0-3, T Fox 0-2, C Pearson, D O’Brien, J Rafferty, A Fox 0-1 each.
ST BRENDAN’S, KILLARNEY: D Carroll; M Potts, C O’Donoghue, C Gammell; D O’Brien, D Naughton, N Donohue; L Donoghue, B Courtney; D Moynihan, D Cliford, P McCarthy; E Cronin, D Shaw, M Casey. Subs: D Spillane for Donohue (45), C O’Shea for Casey (51), M Pierce for Potts, C Callaghan for Gammell, A O’Shea for Cronin (all 55), F Murphy for Courtney (56).
ST BENILDUS COLLEGE: A O’Callaghan; P O’Reilly, L Doran, A Walsh; D Keogh, A Bradshaw, S O’Reilly; C Pearson, P Flaherty; D O’Brien, J Rafferty, A Fox; S O’Brien, T Fox, T Keane. Subs: A Kelly for Walsh (h-t), C McRory for P O’Reilly (60).
REFEREE: D O’Mahoney (Tipperary).