Munster GAA Post Primary Schools Under 15 A Football (Corn An Bhráthair Choilm Taft) Final – St Flannan’s College Ennis 3-5 St Francis College Rochestown 2-7

St Flannan’s College Ennis defeated St Francis College Rochestown by 3-5 to 2-7 in the Munster GAA Post Primary Schools Under 15 A Football (Corn An Bhráthair Choilm Taft) Final on Wednesday November 19th at Ballyagran.

Corn An Bhráthair Choilm Taft Final

St Flannan’s College (Ennis) 3-5 St Francis College (Rochestown) 2-7

Report by Diarmuid Sheehan for the Irish Examiner newspaper

St Flannan’s College Ennis were crowned the inaugural Corn An Bráthair Choilm Taft champions at Ballygaran yesterday after edging out Cork’s St Francis College Rochestown in a thriller.

The U15 football competition got the final it deserved at the Limerick venue with both sides putting in a terrific effort in front of a large and always vocal crowd.

St Flannan’s centre back Gearóid Cahill proved to be the hero of the hour bagging the winning goal late on – less than a minute after setting up his attacking colleague Philip Talty for the Clare boy’s second goal.

Cahill’s dominance was simply perfection as he strode through the Cork side’s midfield at will, causing no end of problems throughout. The number six also scored his side’s opening goal – a penalty in the sixth minute.

For the vanquished side the result was heart-breaking after they fought their way back to lead when a defeat had looked likely for long periods. Flannan’s led by 1-4 to 0-3 at the break.

Second half goals from Rory Doyle and midfielder Shane Downey looked to have given the rebel side the win only for Cahill’s late heroics and a wonderful save from St Flannan’s keeper Daniel Hickey who pushed a last minute game deciding penalty over the bar.

Scorers for St Flannan’s College: G Cahill 2-1 (1-0 pen); P Talty 1-2; E Thynne, K Considine 0-1 each (both frees).

St Francis College: R Doyle 1-3 (0-1 pen); S Downey 1-0; J Kabia 0-2; C O’Mahony, C Russell 0-1 each.

ST FLANNAN’S COLLEGE: D Kelly (Clondegad); D Hickey (Banner), J Finnucane (Kilmihil), M Kenny (Banner); C McDonagh (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield),G Cahill (Corofin), E Breen (Clondegad); I Molloy (Banner), G Collins (Éire Óg); R Collins (Banner), P Talty (Éire Óg), E Thynne (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield); K Considine (Banner), T O’Brien (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), D Daly (Banner). Subs: M McInerney (Éire Óg) for T O’Brien (59).

ST FRANCIS COLLEGE: A Kelleher (Douglas); B O’Neill (Douglas), J Lester (Passage West), J O’Connell (Douglas); D Malone (Douglas), C Russell (Douglas), J Ryan (St Finbarrs); S Downey (Shamrocks), D Quinlan (Nemo Rangers); P Vaughan (Carrigaline), C O’Mahony (Douglas), A Hennessy (St Michaels); R Doyle (Douglas), E Donlon (Douglas), J Kabia (Douglas). Subs: S McCabe for C Russell (BC) (12), D O’Driscoll (Douglas) for E Donlon (half time), Z Slowey (Nemo Rangers) for P Vaughan (45), S McCabe (Douglas) for D O’Driscoll (58).

Referee: R Maloney (Limerick)