St Brendan’s Killarney (Kerry) 2-13
St Pat’s Maghera (Derry) 2-6
Jackie Cahill reports from Croke Park
THE LONG WAIT is finally over for St Brendan’s of Killarney.
The Sem were crowned All-Ireland Colleges senior football A champions at Croke Park this afternoon, with David Clifford contributing a massive 2-5 to help secure a first Hogan Cup success since 1992, and third in all.
Dara Moynihan was also superb as St Brendan’s finished with a flourish to deny St Pat’s Maghera a sixth title, and erase the memories of most recent final defeats in 2010 and 2008.
Both teams were reduced to 14 men in the second half, St Pat’s losing captain and Hawthorn-bound Conor Glass to a straight red card in the 45th minute, before St Brendan’s skipper Dan O’Brien was dismissed with five minutes of normal time remaining.
The sides were level when O’Brien saw red for an off the ball incident involving the leading marksman for St Pat’s, Shane McGuigan, but St Brendan’s outscored their opponents by 2-2 to 0-1 after that.
Moynihan nudged St Brendan’s into a 0-12 to 2-5 lead after O’Brien’s red card before Jack Doherty ended a 20-minute scoring drought for St Pat’s to level matters.
But Clifford netted in the 58th minute and again in the third minute of stoppage time to seal the deal for the Sem, before Moynihan clipped over his fourth point.
Victory for St Brendan’s ensures that the Hogan Cup remains in Kerry, following victories for Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in the previous two seasons.
And yet it was St Pat’s who led by a point at half-time, McGuigan popping over his third point, and second free, to establish a 1-5 to 0-7 interval lead in stoppage time.
On the balance of play, it was just about the right outcome as St Pat’s missed a penalty in the fifth minute, when David Carroll saved brilliantly from Francis Kearney after Oisin McWilliams was fouled by Niall Donohue.
St Pat’s did find the net three minutes later, when Donohue’s slip allowed Patrick Kearney to blast a low shot past Carroll, after taking a handpass from Conal Darragh.
St Brendan’s were slow to settle but they eased themselves into contention and were level by the 20th minute at 0-5 to 1-2, as David Clifford popped over a neat point from play.
Clifford’s free handed the Sem the lead for the second time in the game, 0-6 to 1-2, before points from Shane McGuigan and Shea Downey, son of Seamus and nephew of Derry’s 1993 All-Ireland winning captain Henry, edged St Pat’s back in front.
Lively St Brendan’s forward Dara Moynihan restored parity before McGuigan handed St Pat’s a slim lead at the break
McGuigan opened the second half scoring with a 37th minute goal but St Pat’s went 20 minutes without a score thereafter.
A dramatic second half ensued but when the dust settled, the Hogan Cup was on its way back to St Brendan’s after a 24-year wait.
Scorers for St Brendan’s: David Clifford 2-5 (2f), Dara Moynihan 0-4, Lee O’Donoghue (45), Evan Cronin, David Shaw & Michael Casey 0-1 each.
Scorers for St Pat’s: Shane McGuigan 1-3 (0-2f), Patrick Kearney 1-0, Shea Downey, Jack Doherty & Oisin McWilliams 0-1 each.
St Brendan’s
1. David Carroll (Spa)
4. Cian Gammell (Legion)
6. Dan O’Brien (Glenflesk)
3. Chris O’Donoghue (Glenflesk)
7. Niall Donohue (Firies)
5. David Naughton (Dr. Crokes)
2. Michael Potts (Dr. Crokes)
8. Lee O’Donoghue (Glenflesk)
9. Billy Courtney (Dr. Crokes)
12. Peter McCarthy (Legion)
11. David Clifford (Fossa)
10. Dara Moynihan (Spa)
13. Evan Cronin (Spa)
14. David Shaw (Dr. Crokes)
15. Michael Casey (Dr. Crokes)
Subs:
20. William Courtney (Firies) for Casey (43)
18. David Spillane (Spa) for McCarthy (60)
St Pat’s
1. Seán Cassidy (Slaughtneil)
2. Odhran McKeever (Dungiven)
3. Patrick Turner (Swatragh)
4. Keelan Feeney (Slaughtneil)
5. Patrick McCormick (Moneyglass)
6. Shea Downey (Lavey)
7. Conor McAllister (Slaughtneil)
8. Conor Glass (Glen)
9. Jack Doherty (Glen)
10. Patrick Kearney (Swatragh)
11. Paddy Quigg (Kilrea)
12. Oisin McWilliams (Swatragh)
13. Conal Darragh (Glen)
14. Shane McGuigan (Slaughtneil)
15. Francis Kearney (Swatragh)
Sub:
21. Fergal Higgins (Dungiven) for Darragh (42)
Referee: David Gough (Meath)
For who, he’s better than Jones, and, while he played very well there, I Don’t think Schmidt will trust Zebo at 15 at the business end of the pool stages
I don’t necessarily disagree with you, but why do you say Kearney is better than Jones?
Cian, I think it’s at this stage it’s based only on experience. Leaving that out, I think they’re possibly on a par.
Very much so
Kearney is better than Jones. He may not be playing well at the minute but apart from a dip in form for most of last season he’s clearly one of the best fullbacks in the world.
No coach has ever picked Jones ahead of him, he’s been on lions tours, won a grand slam, triple crowns and six nations titles as well as HC’s with Leinster, he also won ERC player of the year in 2012.
No doubting Jones is a good player and playing well but really he’s not in a on form Kearneys class
I agree with Chris.
Players aren’t robots they are human like anyone else.
Form is temporary but class is permanent.
Kearney will be at 15 for Ireland when it counts.
He’s clearly behind Dagg, Falou, Halpenny, brown, Le Roux, Hogg so consider your statement Chris. He’s not near the top.
as u said your self Kearney’s not in form! Going in the WC Would u prefer a form player playing out of his skin or a player who’s as u said was out of form all last season n his last world class game was 2/3 years ago
Going by current form, there is no way you can consider Kearney as being one of the best fullbacks in the world. It might not be nice to hear but he’s not that great and is living off his 2009 form. The man does nothing in attack, hasn’t been that dominant in the air and has never been great defensively. The best fullbacks in the world know how to run with the ball, step, pass. He’s a very rigid player.
He’s a better footballer, better in the air, more experienced and a good option for a drop goal. I like Jones but think Kearney is better. For the record I reckon Zebo would be a great option at 15 if Kearney isint doing his stuff
If you took an on form Kearney and on form halfpenny, then, aside from the kicking of halfpenny, I’d say Kearney is a lot better. But other than that I agree with you.
No way! halfpenny all day (kicking is really important BTW)
Kearney could be under pressure for the 15 spot
We’ll see how “mentally tougher” media darling Kearney is when Schmidt eventually drops him. Could happen in the next few weeks…
so bitter!
Pretty odd comment to make but each to their own.
It he carries over this lack of form from last season, he shouldn’t make the starting 15. Form players win theses tournaments
I am not pro or anti any province, I only give my honest opinion on players regardless of where they play their club rugby. Might I suggest lonestar that u take the blue tinted glasses off any call players on face value for the next 7/8 weeks
Philip you are without doubt one of the most anti Leinster trolls on this site.
I’m far from anti Leinster, maybe ur too pro Leinster to see it, I’ve a feeling ud like to have Shane Jennings in the back row
Philip you are getting embarrassing at this stage…you call it as you see it? All you seem to ‘call’ is the faults of any Leinster player in the Ireland set up.
I’ve been very critical of Kilcoyne & Hurley, I’m always saying I don’t think Matt Healy deserves as much praise as he gets and I’ve never rated touhy or cave as nothing more than journey men but caves last outing did impress me. Alex u seem to get hyper defensive when someone criticises a Leinster player. Do u think my criticism
of R.kearney is unjustified?
The majority of your comments on Leinster players are negative. It’s a trend noticed by many on the42 and I am by far sensitive. Kearney had dipped in form by HIS standards but I’d have him starting 15 everyday of the week over Jones and Zebo and I’m guessing Joe will pick him too ps he knows more that you and me.
As someone once said…I’m just calling it as I see it….
Kearney is 100% nailed on at FB so the majority of this debate is completely pointless. Get behind the team!
I agree with the majority of the comments about Kearney. He is desperately out of form. The only problem is we don’t have too many viable options. Joe doesn’t seem to trust Jones fully, while Zebo lacks experience, something that Kearney has in abundance and one of the reasons he is still in the driving seat. Experience will only keep him in the team for so long because on form he doesn’t merit the jersey. Zebo might turn out to be a fantastic full back but he needs to start there consistently for Munster. Kearney is a media darling, he is in the indo every second day, this is gonna make his fall even harder. let’s hope he recaptured some form in time for the world cup.
Shocking comments for the most part. Drivel.
Maybe the reason he is the starting fullback is because he has the full trust of Joe, whereas the other options don’t. Plus he know the systems and power plays inside out. If Ireland were playing one of the big teams tomorrow in a match that mattered, I know who I would want at fullback