St Gerald's Castlebar Hogan Cup adventure concluded at the semi-final stage as Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne posted a victory at McDonagh Park,
Nenagh.
A thrilling first half saw Gerald''s score a pair of goals to lead by two five minutes before the break, but everything changed during a
burst of Pobalscoil pressure.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice's side struck 2-3 without reply and it meant that Gerald's went in trailing by seven and they never recovered.
Corca Dhuibhne had signalled their intentions reeling off four points on the spin to seize control, but Gerald's rallied impressively.
A smashing solo goal from Gareth Dunne ended with a splendid 15th minute goal that gave Gerald's hope.
The influential Maitiú O'Flatharta replied with a point for Corca Dhuibhne, but Gerald's netted another goal in the 17th minute.
Ryan Collins manufactured the chance for Dunne, who struck a goal and when Philip Ruddy added a point the Mayo outfit were in front by two.
But Corca Dhuibhne regained the initiative as Brian O'Raoil and Marc O'Conchúir clipped points and then Tomás O'Sé burst through for a tonic goal.
That was followed by an equally crisp finish from Conchúir O'Géinneaigh and a point from Barra O'Suilleabháin stretched the interval advantage to 2-8 to 2-1.
Gerald's kept battling away, but were frustrated by a Corca Dhuibhne side, who recently claimed a third Corn Uí Mhúirí title in a row.
In the past two years Corca Dhuibhne's campaigns were ended at the All Ireland semi-final stage, but they will get an opportunity to parade their skills at Croke Park on April 12 against St Patrick's, Maghera.
Scorers for Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne:
Conchúir O'Géibheannaigh 1-3 (2fs ), Tomás O'Sé 1-0, Seamus O'Muircheartaigh 0-3 (1f, 145 ) Cathal O'Bambaire 0-1, Maitiú O'Flatharta 0-1, Barra O'Suilleabháin 0-1, Brian O'Raoil 0-1, Marc O'Conchúir 0-1.
Scorers for St Gerald's, Castlebar:
Gareth Dunne 2-0, Philip Ruddy 0-1, Daire Morrin 0-1.
Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne: Dáithí O'Conchúir; Conchúir Ó'Súilleabháin, Brian O'Beaglaoich, Tom Ó'Súilleabháin; Máitiú O'Flatharta, Caoimhín O'Beaglaoich, Seán Ó'Gairbhia; Barra Ó'Súilleabháin, Marc Ó'Conchúir; Roibeard Ó'Sé, Brian Ó'Raoil, Séamus O'Muircheartaigh; Conchúir Ó'Géibheannaigh, Cathal Ó'Bambaire, Tomás O'Sé. Subs: Gareth O'Brosnacháin for O'Raoil (47 mins ), Seán O'Bambaire for C O'Bambaire (49 mins ), Cian O'Murchú for O'Gairbhia (55 mins ), Brian O'Murchú for O'Muircheartaigh 56 mins ), Tadhg de Brún for O'Sé (60 mins ).
St Gerald's, Castlebar: Cian Mitchell; Colum Dravins, Patrick Bourke, Sean Kelly; Daire Morrin, Michael Hall, Sean Conlon; Matthew Ruane, Diarmuid Gibbons; Ryan Collins, Michael Plunkett, Stephen McDermott; Philip Ruddy, Gareth Duane, Johnny Maughan. Subs: Dylan Cannon for Collins (31 mins ), James McGinty for McDermott (43 mins ), Eoghan Grady for Gibbons (46 mins ), Jarlath O'Malley for Ruane (55 mins ).
Referee: D O'Mahoney
