Gort Community School 1-10
St. Kieran’s College 1-13
Seemingly on the ropes after a Leinster semi-final defeat to Dublin South, St. Kieran’s College have bounced back with two consecutive victories to make the All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools semi-final.
Following a defeat of arch-rivals CBS earlier this month, Kieran’s would not be denied in Cappamore on Saturday afternoon.
Neither side could get clear of the other in a tense first half as the tough conditions caused by Storm Eunice wreaked havoc on the game.
St. Kieran’s College talisman Harry Shine notched up five points in the first half with corner forward Anthony Ireland Wall adding a further two points and centre-back Joe Fitzpatrick making up the scoring for the Kilkenny side.
Gort Community School managed to keep within touching distance of Kieran’s at the interval as well-taken points from captain Keith Smyth (5), and one point each from midfielders Sean Slevin and David Keane left the scoreboard reading 0-08 to 0-07 in favour of Kieran’s.
The most successful school in the history of the competition, Kieran’s, led by Kilkenny All-Ireland winning manager Brian Dowling, took control of a tight affair as the second half progressed.
A Harry Shine penalty midway through the first half stunned their opponents as Luke Connellan, Ireland Wall and Donagh Murphy all added points to move the men in black and white six points ahead.
A late Keith Smyth goal proved nothing more than a consolation for a valiant Gort side as St. Kieran’s College deservedly advanced to the All-Ireland semi-final where they will face Tulla.
