Boherbue book final berth

Boherbue Comprehensive School 2-11 Coláiste na hÍnse, Bettystown (Meath) 0-7

BOHERBUE Comprehensive School set up a mouth water-watering clash with Monaghan’s Ballybay CC in the All Ireland Colleges D SFC decider thanks to a clinical attacking display against Coláiste na hÍnse (Bettystown)in the semi-final at inclement Killeshin.

Significantly, the Cork side coped well with the squalls of rain and wind that graced the occasion. From the outset, Boherbue enjoyed a clear dominance, a tight rearguard secured the locks at the heart of defence and with a range of scorers, it confirmed a competent all round performance.

At times, the Meath outfit threatened to create inroads on a well organised Boherbue yet they lacked real penetration. Trailing by 1-7 to 0-4 at the break, Bettystown resumed with the wind at their back yet they faced a mountain of a task when conceding a fine individual goal by Jack Curtin upon the change of ends.

That score confirmed Boherbue were comfortably in control of their own destiny, the prize is going forward to an All Ireland Final on Saturday, March 23. Having relented to Belmullet (Mayo) at the penultimate stage two seasons ago, Boherbue, favoured by the elements, sprinted from the starting blocks with Cormac Curtin kicking a lead point.

That score allowed Boherbue settle into the proceedings, their caused boosted further in the second minute, good work by Francis Cronin, linked up with Gerry O’Sullivan to place Alan O’Connor for a well taken goal.

Indeed Boherbue’s game grew increasingly authoritative, their defence especially imposing with Jack Daly, Jack O’Connor and Shane Curtin forming a solid barrier.

From the centre, Cronin and O’Sullivan won an amount of ball, that allowed the attacking flair of Liam Moynihan, Alan O’Connor and Cillian Murphy shoot neat points for a clear 1-4 to 0-1 advantage at the close of the opening quarter.

Coláiste na hÍnse hung in, settling and they grew in confidence with Ross Molloy and Ewan Coughlan shooting points. Boherbue’s earlier sparkle had tapered off though points from Curtin and Luke Murphy following positive work from Moynihan helped secure a 1-7 to 0-4 grip.

Not the most intimidating of deficits for Bettystown with the wind at their back for the restart. However, Boherbue enjoyed a massive boost to the second half, Jack Curtin won possession, carving open the middle of the Bettystown defence, the Rockchapel player fired home a cracking goal.

That score made the task all the more difficult for Bettystown, their cause not helped on a player picking up a second yellow card. Conditions militated against free flowing football and though Bettystown made some inroads, they failed to create a decent impact.

Boherbue remained comfortable, ‘keeper B J Dunstan found a colleague with accurate kick outs, defenders Daly and Seán Murphy remaining strong and resolute.

And Boherbue finished on a positive note, points from Gerry O’Sullivan and Thomas Casey wrapping up matters for an impressive win.

BOHERBUE COMPRHENSIVE SCHOOL: BJ Dunstan (Boherbue); Jack Daly (Kiskeam), Jack O’Connor (Kiskeam), Lee Deane (Boherbue); Sean Murphy (Ballydesmond), Shane Curtin (Rockchapel), Cillian Murphy (Kiskeam) (0-1); Francis Cronin (Cullen), Luke Murphy (Cullen) (0-1); Alan O’Connor (Boherbue) (11), Thomas Casey (Kiskeam) (0-2), Jack Curtin (Rockchapel) (1-1); Liam Moynihan (Boherbue) (0-1), Gerry O’Sullivan (Boherbue) (0-2, 0-1 free), Cormac Curtin (Rockchapel) (0-2) Subs: Owen Harty (Dromtariffe), Anthony Buckley (Meelin), Eoin Collins (Rockchapel), D Ducey (Boherbue)

COLÁISTE NA hÍNSE: Daniel Ehichoya; Gary Burke-Brady, Stephen Breen, Conor Power; Godfrey Ehichoya, Con Gordon, Darragh Kelly; Aaron Lynch, Ferdia Quigley ; Endy Ehichoyia, Ross Molloy (0-3, 0-1f), Sean O’Donoghue; Adam Daly (0-1), Ben Wilde (0-1), Ewan Coughlan (0-2, 0-1f) Subs: Mark Murray, Anthony Brannigan

REFEREE: P Murphy (Carlow)