Davis hurlers beat Fermoy to claim county title
close range. The Davis College defence took over with Matthew McGlynn and Eoghan Buckley dominating the spine of the defence. It was between the 14th and 18th minute that Mallow made it count as Danny Buckley (2), James Fitzpatrick, Darragh Buckley and Ronan Sheehan all pointed to leave it 2-7 to 1-2.
The work-rate around the middle of the field was a trait of the Davis College side all day with Darragh Buckley and John Brown going through some Trojan work. Danny Buckley added two more points as Fermoy put one over before the short whistle, 2-9 to 1-2 to Davis College at half time.
The second half continued as the first half finished with Ronan Sheehan adding to his tally from distance after some great work by Eoghan Buckley, Eddie Cotter and Darragh Buckley.
Eoghan Buckley, leading as captain from centre back, added a long range free. Denis O’Neill grew in ascendency to deflect the challenge of Coláiste an Craoimhín as they battled to get back into the game. The full back line of Séan Browne, McGlynn and Daniel Fitzpatrick were outstanding along with goalkeeper Cian Lankford.
Eddie Cotter added a huge point from his own half and Ronan Sheehan followed suit within a minute to leave it 2-13 to 1-2 at the three quarter mark. Danny Buckley added another four minutes later.
There was no score for the next ten minutes as the game lost its shape and Mallow became more defensive as Fermoy tried hard for goals. Resolute defending eventually led to a break from defence for Davis College with time entering injury time and sub, Jack O’Connor, just back from a broken collar bone, was on hand to smash the ball to the roof of the net to seal the game in style.
Overall there was no doubting that Davis College were stronger on the day but the score line is not a true reflection of the quality of the Coláiste an Craoimhín side. There was some good hurling from both sides in a very free flowing match and realistically the Fermoy school could have had a much larger tally if it hadn’t been for some stout defending from the Mallow school.
Captain Eoghan Buckley, from Killavullen, collected the cup on behalf of the school from the Cork Post-Primary Schools board officer.