Corn Uí Mhuirí: Skibbereen CS find St Brendan's too strong losing to the Kerry side by 24 points

St Brendan’s, Killarney 4-23 (4-2-19)

Skibbereen CS 0-11 (0-1-9)

St Brendan’s, Killarney booked their place in the quarter-final of the Corn Uí Mhuirí with a 24-point victory over Skibbereen CS on Wednesday afternoon in this Group 4 game.

The Sem knew they needed at least an eight-point victory for safe passage to the knockouts - they did that and then some - but victory for Clonakilty against Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, was the cherry on top, securing second place for the Kerrymen.

Forwards Ben Kelleher and Liam O’Brien were on form for The Sem, contributing 1-16 of their side’s scores on the day.

The Sem had the ball in the net after just the 4th minute of play. 

It was hardly the most aesthetically pleasing goal, however, Ben Kelleher was quickest to a ball in the square, poking it into the net to give his side some early encouragement.

The sides traded scores (1-3 to 0-4 to The Sem) until the quarter-hour mark, when the Killarney school began to take hold of the contest, putting together a five-score streak - four points for Liam O’Brien including a towering two-point effort from a free plus a Ben Kelleher free off his right side.

Skibbereen weren’t ready to roll over though and put together a five-point streak of their own at the end of the half, bringing it to a two-point game. 

Kelleher would point from a free just before the whistle to nudge The Sem three ahead.

The second half painted a different picture, though. 

The Sem came out all guns blazing from the restart, posting a quick-fire 0-3 thanks to usual suspects O’Brien and Kelleher plus a finely finessed effort by half-forward Joey McCarthy.

Skibb’s O’Sullivan took his point nicely from a free to pull one back but after this the flood gates opened. 

The Sem would claim 13 of the next 14 scores including three goals from John Henderson, Mark Kenneally and sub Jack Dempsey.

Scorers for Skibbereen: L O’Sullivan 0-4 (1tp, 2f), D McCarthy 0-4, J Goulding, O Herlihy and N O’Callaghan 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Brendan’s: L O’Brien 0-10 (2tp, 4f), B Kelleher 1-6 (3f), J Henderson, J Dempsey and M Kenneally 1-0 each, S Scroope and M O’Carroll 0-2 each, J McCarthy, B Walsh and C Clifford 0-1 each.

SKIBBEREEN: A Limrick (Castlehaven); D Courtney (Castlehaven), A Daly (O’Donovan Rossa), N McCarthy (O’Donovan Rossa); M Murphy (O’Donovan Rossa), J Goulding (O’Donovan Rossa), A Demsey (O’Donovan Rossa); P Collins (Ilen Rovers), N O’Callaghan (Castlehaven); O Herlihy (O’Donovan Rossa), D McCarthy (Castlehaven), W O’Donovan (Clann na nGael); E O’Donovan (Castlehaven), L O’Sullivan (O’Donovan Rossa), A Whooley (Ilen Rovers).

Subs: R Collins (O’Donovan Rossa) for D Courtney (HT), C Daly (Ilen Rovers) for O Herlihy (HT), M Hurley (Ilen Rovers) for W O’Donovan (40), E Buckley (Castlehaven) for N McCarthy (55), R Hourihane (O’Donovan Rossa) for A Whooley (62).

ST BRENDAN’S: C Mitchell (Spa); D McCarthy (Listry), A Cremin (Firies), B O’Connor (Legion); C Clifford (Dr Crokes), Z Cronin (Kilcummin), J Nash (Dr Crokes); M Kennelly (Fossa), B Walsh (Legion); F Blackwell (Legion), J McCarthy (Spa), M O’Carroll; L O’Brien (Glenflesk), B Kelliher (Dr Crokes), J Henderson (Firies).

Subs: C Stack (Kilcummin) for B O Connor (HT), S Scroope (Legion) for J Henderson (45), J Hallissey (Fossa) for C Clifford (53), J Dempsey (Milltown Castlemaine) for J McCarthy (55), C Breen (Fossa) for F Blackwell (58).