This article is from page 66 of the 2011-04-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 66 JPG
ST FLANNAN’S fell at the last hurdle on Wednesday in Croagh as they lost the Frewen Cup Football Final to Tralee on the narrowest of margins in a game that could have went either way.
For the second time this year, Tralee have been the cause of St Flannan’s heartbreak as they ended their Corn Uí Mhuirí hopes earlier this year and last week they became the reason the Frewen Cup is not coming home to the Ennis college.
St Flannan’s opened the scoring through Éire Óg’s Ciarán Mac Mathuna but they were up against it when Tralee pounced for a goal in the ninth minute and followed it up with a point. However, they maintained composure and regained the lead hitting four points without reply. Three coming from the on-form forward Martin O’Leary who looked to be causing major problems.
Tralee then hit two fine points only to find themselves go behind once again right before the half when O’Leary tore through the defence and laid it off to David Conroy who found the back of the Tralee net. St Flannan’s now led 1-5 to 1-3 at the interval after the aid of a strong breeze.
O’Leary again punished the Kerry side as he converted another free from the restart but then some halftime positional switches from Tralee began to pay off.
They started to control matters in key positions around the field and as a result Tralee kicked six of the game’s next seven points.
By the 51st minute, Tralee were in control with a 1-9 to 1-7 lead but St Flannan’s never gave up and battled admirably to the finish.
They responded with a point from Barry Lynch before Mac Mathuna saw his effort rebound off the post but O’Leary then tied things up with a resulting free.
Unfortunately, Tralee surged downfield and scored from their next two attacks.
Captain Sean Corry then had the last score of the game but this wasn’t enough for St Flannan’s as Tralee held onto the one point advantage to claim their second title in four years.
St Flannan’s
Killian Normoyle (Lissycasey); Conor Dolan (Éire Óg);Aiden Mc Guane (Kilmaley); Ronan Raferty (Michael Cusacks); StephenWard (Clarecastle); Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg); Conor Clancy (Clarecastle) (0-1); Sean Corry (Éire Óg) (0-1); Ciaran Mac Mathuna (Éire Óg) (0-1); David Conroy (Doora-Barefield) (1-0); Barry Lynch (Lissycasey) (0-1); Dara Kerin (Doora-Barefield) (0-1); Martin O’Leary (Kilmihil) (0-4); Eimhin Courtney (Éire Óg);Tadgh Lynch (Clondegad) (0-1). St Kier a n’s 2-10 Ár d Scoil Rís 1-11 @ Semple St adium, Thur les