Mercy Mounthawk made history as a late second half surge saw the Tralee school lift the Corn Uí Mhuirí trophy, Paddy Lane with a starring role for his school.

History made as Mounthawk claimed the top honour in Munster, it was far from easy, despite leading 0-9 to 0-4 at the interval, a late penalty almost saw Tralee CBS produce a stunning comeback. 

Lane was in his element, one for the future as he will look to make the Kerry Senior team in the coming years, an incredible moment for a school who have been a sleeping giant for many years.

Mounthawk started brightly, Odhran Ferris the captain striking the ball over for the opening score inside three minutes. Momentum stayed with Mounthawk, Sean Corkey sending a high ball for Paddy Lane the prolific forward looking for an early goal, The Green defended well but a free gave Lane the chance to add another score in the process.

Ronan Carroll struck a beautiful long range free to cut the gap, down the other end Lane claimed a mark as Mounthawk went back on the attack and extended the gap back to two. The Green replied swiftly, Jerh Brosnan powered his way ever closer to the Mounthawk goal, his shot hitting the side netting, advantage occurring Hugh Lenihan struck the resulting free over for a one point game, 0-3 to 0-2.

Mounthawk started to build a lead as the opening quarter neared completion, Noah Townsend and Lane unfurling the white flag for a three point game. Lenihan added another free as the Green remained at arms length.

It was again the scenario where Mounthawk would pull away as the minutes ticked by to the break, two points from Lane and a Tomás Kennedy effort stretching their lead 0-8 to 0-3 by 28 minutes.

Andrew Kerins soon saw a black card towards the end of normal time, that did not change the landscape too much. Mounthawk did have a host of goal chances in those final ten minutes they failed to take.

Ferris and Lane with goal bound efforts that trickled into the hands of Oisin O’Halloran in The Green net. It looked like Lane had indeed got a second bite of the cherry when he fisted to the net shy of stoppage time as the ball fizzed across the face of goal, referee Conor Lane ruling the goal out for a square ball. Caroll and Lane exchanged points in stoppage time, Mounthawk ahead 0-9 to 0-4 at the interval. 

The Green came out of the traps the better in the opening minutes of the second half, while Lane would grab another score for Mounthawk coming from a 45, two Darragh Cunnane frees and a Mairtin McKivergan effort from play reduced arrears 0-11 to 0-7 by the 41st minute.

Pressure remained on Mounthawk minutes later, McKivergan had a shot dropped shot Mounhawk goalkeeper Michael Tansley under it and did well to fend off pressure from the onrushing Cunnane to clear the danger.

Luke Rochford soon cut the deficit down to three points, Lane’s marksmanship at the other end was quick to cut that score out. Mounthawk again looked dangerous when they got forward and a terrific save from O’Halloran denied Ferris a chance at goal from close range that would have potentially sealed the win for Mounthawk.

Tralee CBS battled hard late on and were awarded a penalty with 53 minutes on the clock, Cunnane with a strike at goal that was deemed a footblock by Lane. Carroll stepped up and rolled the ball to the bottom right corner to level the game 1-09 to 0-12.

Mounthawk were resilient in the final minutes, Kennedy with his second point restored the lead for Mounthawk shy of the hour mark. Lane continued to lead by example and struck for a two point lead shy of stoppage time.

Ben Murphy could have wrapped the game up in stoppage time, he raced through on goal but his shot was high over the crossbar. CBS threw everything at it in the dying embers but Mounthawk were diligent in defence. 

Post Match

Odhran Ferris - Mounthawk Captain

Aidan O'Shea - Mounthawk Manager