Mitchelstown CBS lose out in colleges’ thriller

Coláiste Choilm (Ballincollig) 4-14 Mitchelstown CBS 3-12

This high scoring Cork Colleges Senior B HC final at Rathcormac on Monday was a thriller all through. Both sides had their moments, but overall, the winners were the better side and deserved their close win.

Luke Keating was outstanding for CBS all through. Keating (free) and Darragh O’Mahony exchanged an early point. Ballincollig had a goal by impressive Diarmuid Dillon. CBS rallied well with pointed frees from Luke Keating and Darragh O’Brien that had the Avondhu side ahead 0-5 to 1-1 after 13 minutes.

Diarmuid Dillon levelled and followed with a lead point after good play by Adam McCarthy. Luke Keating had the sides level in the 21st minute. Cian O’Driscoll and Zack McCarthy exchanged a point and then, in the closing moments, Coláiste Choilm pointed as they led at the break 1-7 to 0-8.

NIP AND TUCK

On the resumption Se O’Donoghue placed Diarmuid Dillon for a point to extend Coláiste’s lead. Luke Keating kept CBS in touch with a free. The winners had a goal by Darragh O’Mahony who soloed through, leaving it 2-8 to 0-9. Keating pointed another free.

Rapid points by Cian O’Driscoll and Darragh O’Mahony then opened up a two goal lead and in the 47th minute, a foul on Dillon Sheehan led to a penalty that Luke Keating converted - 2-10 to 1-10. O’Driscoll replied with a point for the Mid Cork side. Luke Keating followed with pointed frees as the lead was down to 2 points. CBS edged ahead in the 53rd minute when a free by Luke Keating struck the post and fell kindly for Padraig Harrington who goaled, edging his side 2-12 to 2-11 ahead.

The lead was short-lived as Conor Eagles with a goal in the 56th minute edged his side 3-11 to 2-12 ahead. Diarmuid Dillon then added a point.

The game looked like going to extra time when a sideline cut by Luke Keating was finished to the net by Padraig Harrington, as the sides were deadlocked 3-12 apiece. Ballincollig finished very strong however, Cian O’Driscoll had their 4th goal and Conor Eagles and O’Driscoll with a ‘65, completed the scoring.

John O’Brien, Cork Colleges Board chairman, presented the cup to the winning captain Cian O’Driscoll.

Mitchelstown CBS: Michael Roche (Ballygiblin), Padraig O’Flynn (Kildorrery), Conor McGrath Glenroe), Jamie Fogarty (Harbour Rovers), Daniel Harte (Ballygiblin), Ryan Donegan (do), Shane Looney (Harbour Rovers), Conor Kent (Kildorrery), Stephen Kenneally (Ballygiblin), Dillon Sheehan (do), Darragh O’Brien (Harbour Rovers – 0-1), Padraig Harrington (Kildorrery – 2-0), Zack McCarthy (Glenroe – 0-1), Luke Keating (Kildorrery - 1- 10 (0-8f., 1-0 pen)), Evan Hickey Skeheenarinky). Subs: Sean O’Doherty (Ballygiblin) for Daniel Harte, Mark Walsh (do) for Evan Hickey, David Conroy (do) for Conor McGrath (inj).

The Mitchelstown side were trained by Mr Duggan and Mr Nash.

Referee: Simon Stokes (Tullylease).