Big win for SP Sliabh Luachra over Ballincollig

CORN UÍ MHUIRÍ QUARTER-FINAL SP Sliabh Luachra 2-16 Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig 0-6

SLIABH Luachra are the debutants at this level and also have one of the youngest teams in the competition (no less than five of their players are Under 16 this year – in an Under 19 competition!), but they looked like veterans here.

They led by 0-5 to 0-0 early and by halftime they were up by 0-7 to 0-3 against the wind, with a confident defence marshalled by Kerry Under 20 Alan Dineen and Paul O’Leary soaking up Ballincollig pressure and forcing rushed and way ward shots.

In the second half, with Ronan Collins (Irish basketballer) and Dan Murphy (Kerry Under 20 footballer) lording midfield, they had a platform to really cut loose. They also had the players – Cathal Ryan has two brothers with All Ireland medals but neither of them kicked 1-5 in a game like this, while James Darmody cut loose with 1-4 – Slaibh Luachra were only denied further goals by the excellence of Ballincollig keeper Chris Walsh.

They might have inflicted the most damage, but this was a perfect team performance.

In fairness to Coláiste Choilm, they did have good performances from the likes of Seán Leisk and Fergal O’Leary, but they were completely outclassed overall by the new kids on the block.

It’s worth noting that while Sliabh Luachra established themselves by reaching the Paddy Drummond (All Ireland B) Final last year, only half of that team started for the school in Mallow. Sliabh Luachra have unquestionably got plenty of innate talent, but manager David McCarthy also has a great foundation and building blocks to draw on.

Rathmore were giants in the old Vocational Schools championships (champions in ‘78, ‘87 (CC), ‘93 (CS), and ‘95 – Gerry Murphy remains one of the most incredible young footballers I have ever seen) and also have a great record in Ladies football (they last reached senior and junior All Irelands in 2016), but these days they are definitely breaking new ground.

SP SLIABH LUACHRA: Ian O’Connor, Michael Dennehy, Alan Dineen, Damien Cronin (0-1), Cian Dineen, Paul O’Leary (0-1), Andrew Moynihan, Ronan Collins, Dan Murphy (0-1), Paudie O’Leary, Cathal Ryan (1-5, 3f), Michael McSweeney, James Darmody (1-4, 1f), Aaron Cronin (0-2), Dylan Roche (0-2) Subs: Tommy Bowler for A Cronin, 51, David Gleeson for P O’Leary, 55, Kevin Bowler for D Roche, 56

Photo by Joe Hanley Pupils of Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn give loud cheers at their school on Tuesday for Na Gael as nNa Gael Play in the Junior Cup All Ireland Final in Croke Park, on Saturday