Colmans lift Hogan Title

Hogan Cup Final:
St Colman’s Newry 1-18 St Brendan’s Killarney 3-05

St Colman’s College Newry took their seventh Hogan Cup title with a superb performance in Croke Park today. They dominated in every area of the field and their opponents St Brendan’s Killarney never looked like breaking them down for enough scores to deny them their first crown in 12 seasons.

Chris Clarke was TG4’s Laoch na hImeartha. In a superb opening half, he fired over five excellent points from open play and frees, won ball in his own defence and was involved in almost all the College’s forward forages.

As he tired somewhat in the second half, Jerome Johnston took over his role, picking off four excellent points in the third quarter before moving out into a foraging role.

Conor Gough was also immense in the middle of the pitch, while goalie Matthew McNeice and his defence controlled the Kerry side’s forwards.

St Brendan’s earned themselves a penalty nearing half-time at a point when they trailed 0-8 to 0-1. Sub David O’Sullivan sent McNeice the wrong way, but Chris Clarke responded with a late free to put his side in at the break ahead by 0-9 to 1-1.

Although St Brendan’s hit the opening point of the second half after just 43 seconds, St Colman’s took over once more and were 10 points ahead when St Brendan’s got their second goal from the penalty spot.

Sub Shay McCartan earned St Colman’s a penalty moments later. Although Ross McGarry’s shot was well-saved, Shay followed through to toe-poke the Ulster side’s only goal.

Tom Moriarty hit a good late goal for St Brendan’s but there was never any pressure on the Newry side, who ensure that the Hogan Cup is in Ulster for the fourth time in five seasons.