Holders always in control

Coláiste Chríost Rí 3-6 St Brendan's Killarney 1-8:HOLDERS COLÁISTE Chríost Rí coped with near impossible conditions and a late St Brendan's rally to deservedly book their last-four place in Knocknagree yesterday.

The champions started spectacularly, racing 2-4 to 0-2 in front after the opening quarter, following goals from Barry Madden and Alan Nolan, and they enjoyed a 2-5 to 0-4 interval advantage.

The weather deteriorated further on a sodden pitch in the second half, when scores were difficult to come by, though captain Paul Fitzgerald settled Chríost Rí with a gem of a point from the right after 39 minutes.

A goal 10 minutes from the end, created by Enda Dennehy and tucked away by Madden, killed hopes of a St Brendan’s revival.

COLÁISTE CHRÍOST RÍ: C Keane; TJ Murphy, I Lucey, B Wharton; E Dennehy, S Cronin, D O’Neill (0-1); P Fitzgerald (0-2), D Scannell; R Scully, A Nolan (1-0), P Kelleher; B Madden (2-0), C Horgan (0-1 from a free), G Joyce (0-2). Sub: E Smith for Wharton (ht)

ST BRENDAN’S: R Kelleher; D O’Keeffe, C Sheehan (0-1), B Lynch; D Osterloh, D O’Donoghue (0-1), D McCarthy; Kieran D Murphy (0-2, one free), C Lawlor; D Stack (0-1), B O’Shea (1-1), C Ó Lionáird; G O’Shea, C Keane, G Kelly (0-2 from frees). Subs: B O’Donoghue for Ó Lionáird (ht), J Aherne for O’Keeffe (36 mins), J Spillane for Kelly (39 mins), Kieran I Murphy for B O’Donoghue (52 mins)

Referee: M Meade (Limerick)