THE REIGNING ALL-Ireland schools football kingpins were today without a Kerry All-Ireland minor winner due to Aussie Rules trials but that didn’t stop them from clinching a 15-point win in their Munster quarter-final tie.
Champions St Brendan’s (Killarney) were without attacker David Shaw – who is attending this week’s AFL Academy camp in Florida – but still managed to claim an impressive victory against PS Chorca Dhuibhne by 2-18 to 0-9 in Milltown.
With 2016 Kerry All-Ireland minor winners Dara Moynihan and Michael Potts in their ranks, the Killarney school advanced to a semi-final clash with St Flannan’s (Ennis).
Ahead by 0-9 to 0-8 at the interval, they dominated the second half of today’s tie to restrict their opponents to a single point and run out comfortable victors.
At Fitzgerald Stadium, Tralee CBS won the all-Kerry clash against Intermediate School Killorglin by 2-10 to 1-10.
In front by 1-6 to 1-3 at the break, Jason Mortimer pounced for the vital second goal for Tralee CBS in the second half.
Tralee CBS were captained by centre-back Kieran Dwyer, a 2016 All-Ireland minor winner with Kerry, while another All-Ireland minor winner Caolim Teehan was in action for IS Killorglin.
In Rathkeale, St Flannan’s ensured they will fly the flag for Clare at the semi-final stage for a second successive year as they defeated Mercy Mounthawk Tralee by 4-9 to 2-12.
A goalscoring spree in the first-half paved the way for the Ennis school to triumph with Gearoid Cahill (2), Sean Kennedy and Eoghan Thynne all raising green flags.
Bobby O’Regan did hit the net in the opening period for the Tralee school, who had Aidan O’Shea – son of Kerry legend Jack and manager of Munster junior champions Glenbeigh/Glencar – amongst their management team.
Mercy Mounthawk trailed 4-7 to 1-8 at the interval but O’Regan hit his second goal in the third quarter to help cut the deficit that the Tralee outfit faced. St Flannan’s only registered 0-2 in the second half but that proved sufficient as they held on for a three-point victory.
Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-final results
St Brendan’s (Killarney) 2-18 PS Chorca Dhuibhne 0-9
Tralee CBS 2-10 IS Killorglin 1-10
St Flannan’s (Ennis) 4-9 Mercy Mounthawk 2-12
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