Patrician Academy hold out for great win

Patrician Academy (Mallow) 3-10 Colaiste An Piarsaigh (Glanmire) 1-15

THIS was a thrilling Cork Colleges Senior B HC final at the 4G Pitch in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Very little separated two evenly matched sides all through. Academy opened with an early point by Barry O’Shea. Good play by Tomas O’Lonergain and Cathal O’Leannachain led to a fine point by impressive Cathal MacCarthaigh. Academy hit the front with a long range pointed free by Kieran Twomey. David Walsh landed a long range free after Eanna O’Hanlon was fouled.

The winners had their first goal in the 10th minute when Ben O’Connor and Colm O’Shea worked well for Barry O’Shea who netted. Colaiste An Piarsaigh had two wides but they had their goal in the 13th minute when Timmy O’Suilleabhain, Pierce O’Cuimin, Cathal O’Leannachain and Tomas O’Lonergan were all involved in placing Cathal MacCarthaigh who goaled. Academy were off target from a free with Cathal O’Leannachain having a very good point for the Colaiste side. Academy battled back well. Eanna O’Hanlon soloed through and pointed.

Colaiste got back on terms raplidy. First Colm Mac Carthaigh put Cathal O’Leannachin in for a fine point. In the 20th minute Cathal MacCarthaigh soloed through and levelled for the second time at 1-4 each. Colaiste An Piarsaigh hit the front with a Cathal O’Leannachain free. Academy replied with a Kieran Twomey long range free that tied them up at 1-5 apiece. The Glanmire side hit the front when Oisin O’Duinneacha was fouled and Cathal O’Leannachain made no mistake from the free. Academy were narrowly wide from a ‘65’. In the 27th minute O’Leannachain landed another free. David Walsh replied for Academy. In injury time impressive Evan O’Rothlain soloed through and pointed as Colaiste held a two point interval lead 1-8 to 1-6.

Academy introduced Charlie Carroll for the second half who played very well. Evan O’Rothlain with an early point opened up a three-point lead. Academy were quick to get back on terms when Eanna O’Hanlon worked well for Conor McMahon who belted to the net despite being surrounded by three defenders 1-9 to 2-6. Tomas O’Lonergain edged Colaiste An Piarsaigth ahead again. A foul on Eoin Kelleher led to an equalising point by David Walsh (free). Evan O’Rothlain added another point with Concubhair O’Leannachain working well for Tomas O’Lonergain who put two between the sides. Charlie Carroll had a very good point for Mallow but Cathal O’Leannachain with another free regained the two-point lead 1-13 to 2- 8.

In the 49th minute Charlie Carroll had a great point. Academy had two wides Academy defence did very well making some great clearances. David Kearney in goal also did very well. Academy had their third goal when a long range free by Niall O’Riordan found Conor McMahon who soloed through and goaled under pressure as the Mallow side moved 3-10 to 1-13 clear. The last 10 minutes were very tense. David Walsh pointed a free after Charlie Carroll was fouled. That was Mallow’s last score. Colaiste made a few substitutions. Cathal MacCarthaigh pointed and Pierce O’Cuimin pointed a ‘65’ in injury-time. Deep in injury-time Colaiste An Piarsaigh made valiant efforts to force extra-time. Academy defence held firm despite massive pressure. The final whistle followed and Academy were crowned Co Senior B HC winners for the first time in 20 years.

After the game John O’Brien Chairman Cork Post Primary Schools Board presented the cup to the winning captain Kieran Twomey amid scenes of wild excitement amongst the large Academy following. PATRICIAN ACADEMY: D Kearney (Kilshannig), B O’Connor (Clyda Rovers), N O’Riordan (Mallow), D Taylor (Kilshannig), O Carroll (Mallow), K Twomey 0-2f (Kilshannig), S Kelly (Clyda Rovers), D Walsh 0-4f (do), C O’Shea (Kilshannig), C O’Driscoll (Mallow), E O’Hanlon 0-1 (Kilshannig), S O’Flynn (Mallow), B O’Shea 1-1 (Kilshannig), C McMahon 2-0 (do), E Kelleher (Mallow). Sub: F Magnier (Killavullen) for D Taylor (inj), C Carroll 0-2 (Mallow) for S O’Flynn.

COLAISTE AN PIARSAIGH: F MacUaid, P Pleimeann, C O’Murchu, D O’Suilleabhain, E O’Mathuna, P O’Cuimin 0-1 ‘65’, O O’Duinneacha, B O’Drisceoil, C O’Leannachain, E O’Rothlain 0-3, T O’Lonergain 0-2, T O’Suilleabhain, C MacCarthaigh 1-3, C O’Leannachain 0-6 (4f), C MacCarthaigh. Subs:

T O’Muirthile for B O’Drisceoil, S O’Riordain for P Pleimeann, C O’Dughghail for E O’Rothlain.

REFEREE: Simon Stokes (Tullylease)

THE 2018/19 season marked a brilliant period for the Academy Senior hurlers and Senior footballing sides. Nearly all the same players were involved in both hurling and football with Kieran Twomey the captain of both the hurling and football sides.

In a remarkable season they won the Cork Colleges Senior A FC title for the first time ever namely the prestigious Simcox Cup. They followed with a win over Dungarvan in the Munster Senior B C FC final. They later were crowned All-Ireland Senior C FC kingpins when they defeated Oughterard in the All-Ireland final in Limerick by a three-point margin.

The senior B hurlers then finished off the playing season with a close win over Colaiste An Piarsaigh. They are a well balanced both in huring and football and their trainers and coaches have been very dedicated all season. Many of the panel will collect four medals after a most productive season.