St Francis College Rochestown rocked by Tralee CBS physicality says Eoghan Buckley

What began with promise ended in a crushing defeat for St Francis College Rochestown on Saturday, as their Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final challenge was quickly shut down by a Tralee CBS side they were simply no match for.

Rochestown struck first, a crisp two-pointer inside the opening minute suggesting this one might take on a different shape. But, as the Green do, Tralee quickly surged into control and left the Cork school chasing the game for three quarters of the hour.

Selector Eoghan Buckley did not shy away from that assessment afterwards.

“Obviously got off to a great start with kicking a two-pointer inside the first couple of minutes,” he began. “But quickly, Tralee asserted themselves and they dominated us really.

“We had the wind at our backs but we were surprised with how aggressive they were in pinning us in and pressing us up high when we got the ball in our defence. We didn't have a minute to think.

“I suppose how aggressive they were in the tackle and their level of physicality really caught us by surprise. In nearly every other game, we were the team who would have been physically stronger and more powerful,” he explained. “They definitely caught us on the hop there. 

Our kick-outs as well, there were probably a couple of opportunities to go short and retain possession.

“We tended to kick the ball out long to the middle of the park where we really struggled with the breaking ball,” he said. “As the half wore on, after about 10 minutes, I think it was like 0-4 all. But really from there until the end of the first half, Tralee definitely had the upper hand.” 

If the scoreboard did not reflect the full extent of Tralee’s control before the break, that owed much to goalkeeper James O’Flaherty.

His performance between the posts stood out in an otherwise difficult afternoon, as he produced several sharp saves across the hour.

“Thanks to James O'Flaherty, he kept us in it for a couple of good saves,” Buckley added. “But we were really clinging on.

“It was a much improved second half performance by us really. We showed true Roco spirit and heart, we stuck in with them. But no qualms about it, the better team won.” 

The pouring rain that hit Cill na Martra before throw in – and lingered through much of the opening half – could have been the great leveller to suit Rochestown. Instead, it had the oppositive effect.

The night before, I was praying for rain, thinking it would turn into a bit of a dogfight. That's what we wanted.

“But actually what happened then, is their superiority in all their skills and their ball retention really came to the fore, whereas we were fumbling ball and giving away balls we never give away.

SURPRISE

“Just the way they set up and they had their shape, we found it very hard to break through lines. And if we did, there was another fella in tackling. Whereas they probably were able to get through us just that little bit easier.

“I was just surprised with how physically strong they were. Powerful, athletic, all over the pitch. Pound for pound they were just faster, stronger and had better ball skills. So they quickly asserted themselves as a dominant team after a good start by us.” 

It is a painful way for the journey to end no doubt, but, as Buckley stressed, there is pride too.

“The overriding factor is disappointment, but we're very proud of the lads and just the work that goes in in the school. It's all teachers, three teachers on the line from the school, no outside help.

The teachers do it because they love the school and they love of the sport, but that's the culture we have in the school, the lads being who they are and the teachers being who they are. We gave it our best shot, but it just wasn't enough.”