Masita Croke Cup: Pres Athenry reach decider

Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling Semi-Final

Pres Athenry 1-18 St. Flannan's 1-14

By Billy Coss at Kilbeacanty

Presentation College, Athenry advanced to their third Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Senior A Hurling Championship final in the space of four seasons following a deserved victory over St. Flannan's, Ennis.

Cian Hannon's 50th minute goal proved the game's decisive moment while their campaign top scorer Ciarán Leen struck 10 points from a variety of placed balls, several coming when the need was at its greatest during the second half.

Second on the roll of honour with 14 titles, St. Flannan's were chasing a first Croke Cup final appearance for two decades. And though they struck for a 15th minute goal through Harry Doherty and had defenders Sean McNamara and James Cullinan in terrific form, it was a day when they misfired in front of the posts and were left to rue hitting 17 wides to their opponent's seven.

Kilbeacanty GAA Club's impressive grounds in south Galway played host to the clash and the Connacht champions went in 0-11 to 1-4 to the good after St. Flannan's opted to play into a stiff wind.

Ronan Cahalan picked up where he left in Pres Athenry's provincial final win over St. Raphael's, Loughrea and sent over three points from play. Ciarán Leen followed an exquisite sideline cut with four converted frees, while Aodhán McDonagh, Cian Hannon and Shay Brady were also on the mark before the break.

Doherty's well-finished goal gave St. Flannan's their only lead on the quarter-hour mark. Full-forward Thomas O'Connor also posed a serious threat, but an outstanding Pres Athenry defensive effort led by Michael Lewis and Shay Brady stood firm with midfielders Graham Ball and John Barry (three, two frees) accounting for all of the Ennis nursery's four points before the break.

Pres Athenry 'keeper Cathal Mannion was fast off his line to deny O'Connor with a crucial save early in the second half, and Mike Finn, Ronan Badger and Gary Moroney's side edged clear with a further Leen free and Niall McCarthy from play.

Trailing by six points, St. Flannan's stitched together their best spell and closed to within two on the back of unanswered scores from Doherty, Patrick Finneran and John Barry (two, one free). They were also unfortunate not to add a goal during that purple patch when sub Ben Talty cracked a shot off the Pres Athenry crossbar.

Pres Athenry's Leen sent over a 65 into the teeth of the wind at the opposite end and followed with a well-struck free from distance soon after.

Final quarter goals were a hallmark of Pres Athenry's wins over Gort Community School and St. Raphael's inside Connacht and they continued in that same vain. Aodhán McDonagh found Hannon with a fine delivery and after showing great pace to cut inside his marker, the Athenry clubman finished to the St. Flannan's net to make it 1-15 to 1-9 with ten minutes left.

Flannan's rallied with Doherty, Barry and Cullinan on target, while their 'keeper Leon Talty pulled off a remarkable save with his foot to deny Ronan Cahalan when a match-sealing goal looked on the cards for Pres Athenry.

Pres Athenry would close it out with Leen taking his day's return into double-digits and Cahalan sending over his fourth from play as Doherty and Barry, who hit 1-10 of the St. Flannan's tally, responding for the Clare students.

It's back-to-back finals for Pres Athenry who go forward to meet competition kingpins St. Kieran's, Kilkenny at Croke Park on St. Patrick's Day.

Scorers for Pres Athenry: Ciarán Leen 0-10 (8f, 1sl, 1 65), Cian Hannon 1-1, Ronan Cahalan 0-4; Aodhán McDonagh, Niall McCarthy and Shay Brady 0-1 each.

Scorers for St. Flannan's, Ennis: John Barry 0-7 (5f), Harry Doherty 1-3; Graham Ball, Patrick Finneran, Thomas O'Connor and James Cullinan 0-1 each.

Presentation College, Athenry: Cathal Mannion; Éanna McDonagh, Michael Lewis, Shay Brady; Cathal Donoghue, Robert Burke, Ronan McGlynn; Áodhán McDonagh, Iarlaith Leen; Ronan Cahalan, Niall McCarthy, Cian Hannon; Anthony Poniard, Ciarán Leen, Niall Kelly.

Subs: Matthew Cloonan for Kelly (54), Matthew Cox for McCarthy (60), Johnny Dunleavy for Poniard (60+3).

St Flannan's College, Ennis: Leon Talty; Conor Hill, Sean McNamara, Darragh Murrihy; Darragh Ball, James Cullinan (joint-captain), Colm Daly; Graham Ball, John Barry; Harry Doherty (joint-captain), Patrick Finneran, Rory Ralph; Eoin O’Connor, Thomas O’Connor, Darragh McNamara.

Subs: Ben Talty for Hill (37), David Loftus for Eoin O'Connor (51), Jamie Ryan for Darragh Ball (57), Jason Keane Hayes for Darragh McNamara (60+1).

Referee: Cian Ryan (Tipperary).