2019/2020 Dean Ryan Cup Under 16.5 A Hurling Quarter-Final – St. Flannans 2-10 Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG 1-11

2019/2020 Dean Ryan Cup Under 16.5 A Hurling Quarter-Final

St. Flannans 2-10 Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG 1-11

Report by Ed Donnelly

St. Flannans recovered from four points down early in the second half to defeat Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG at sunny Kilmallock on Wednesday afternoon in the Quarter-Final of the Dean Ryan Cup.

The opening period saw plenty of endeavour from two evenly matches schools. Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG had the better of the possession stakes but struggled to convert their chances and the Cork side managed to miss ten scoring opportunities before getting their first point from play in the 22nd minute to lead by 0-4 to 0-2.

St. Flannans on limited possession were creating goal chances but good tackling by the Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG defence prevented any green flags in the opening period. The Clare side finished the first half well and three pointed frees by Michael Henegan ensured the sides were level at 0-5 to 0-5 at the interval.

From the throw-in to start the second half, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG managed to score a goal followed by a point three minutes later to open up a four-point lead. At this stage, St. Flannans moved their captain and centre-back Jarleth Collins up to centre-forward and eventually, the Clare school began to get back in to this game. As the match entered the final quarter, the deficit was reduced to just 1-8 to 0-9.

In the 48th minute, Flannans corner-forward Colm Killeen managed to score a goal from close range to put his side in front for the first time, 1-9 to 1-8. Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG replied with two pointed frees to retake the lead heading in to the last five minutes of normal time.

However, the key score arrived in the 57th minute when following good inter-play by the Flannans forwards, a rasper by Jarleth Collins was well saved by the Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG goalkeeper but in the ensuing play, the Cork rearguard failed to clear their lines and Collins followed up with a ground stroke which hit the back of the net to restore Flannans advantage for good, 2-9 to 1-10.

Collins pointed a free for Flannans in the 62nd minute to stretch the lead to three points and despite some late pressure by Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, the Cork side could not find the goal they required and at the full-time whistle, St. Flannans were two points in front – 2-10 to 1-11.

St. Flannans will now play Ardscoil Ris in the semi-final on Friday October 11th.