Munster Junior 'B' Championship Semi Final

Cromane 2-20 Banogue 1-04

Kerry's ounty novice champions, Cromane, qualified for the Munster Junior B final with a comprehensive win over Limerick’s Banogue on Sunday last. The game, which was played at the competition’s host club Knockaderry, was never competitive with Cromane picking up where they let off in their county final win over Ballydonoghue last December.
Once corner forward David Moroney goaled in the 10th minute to put Cromane 1-3 to 0-2 ahead it was plain sailing for the seasiders. Soon after the hard-working Niall Dennehy blasted home the Mid Kerry men’s second goal (2-5 to 0-2) which all but sealed the victory with ten minutes still remaining in the first half.
In between Seán Walsh, Seán O’Sullivan and Paul Patrick O’Sullivan had some fine points as Cromane stretched their legs in their first outing of the year. At midfield Donnchadh Walsh and Francis Casey gave Cromane a great platform especially as they were up against two big strong opponents.
Cromane’s backline was never tested as Banogue’s attacks continually faltered under pressure from a tight-marking sextet. By half time Cromane had slipped over the horizon with a 2-7 to 0-2 lead. The Limerick men even though conceding defeat never wilted in the physical exchanges and kept Cromane honest for most of the second half.
Cromane though reverted to shooting practice with Clinton Griffin notching three second half points, having earlier smacked the crossbar and post in the same first half attack. Substitutes Colin O’Sullivan (back after a long-term injury) and Emmet Casey also kept the scoreboard ticking over.
It wasn’t all sweetness and light for Cromane as some sloppiness towards the end allowed the Limerick win to breach their with a late attack resulting in the ball deflecting off a Cromane defender into the net. The game though was a work-out, if nothing else, for the Kerry champions, who will now return to the same venue for the final. That decider will take place on Sunday, March and their opponents will be St Oliver Plunkett’s from Cork.
The Cork champions, from Ahiohill just outside Clonakilty, beat city side Passage (1-13 to 2-7) in the Cork Junior ‘B’ final back in September.

CROMANE: Liam Walsh; Peter O’Reilly, James Foley, Noel O’Reilly; Michael Teahan, Colm Joy, John O’Sullivan; Donnchadh Walsh (0-1), Francis Casey; Niall Dennehy (1-2), Paul P. O’Sullivan (0-2), Seán O’Sullivan (0-3); David Moroney (1-1), Clinton Griffin (0-3), Seán Walsh (0-6). Subs: Fionán Walsh for Colm Joy, Colin O’Sullivan (0-1) for David Moroney, JP McCarthy for Niall Dennehy, Emmet Casey (0-1) for Clinton Griffin, Seán O’Reilly for Noel O’Reilly.