St Colmans let nine-point lead slip in final

CBC (Cork) 2-22 St Colmans Fermoy 2-16

IT was heartache for St Colmans as they left a nine point lead slip in the county final against first time winners CBC.

St Colmans, with a very strong side, looked impressive for long periods and they led 1-12 to 0-9 at half time, after playing with a useful wind. The Fermoy school moved 2-14 to 0-11 clear 12 minutes into the second half, but a powerful recovery by CBC saw them turn a nine-point deficit into a six-point win in the end.

Brian Roche opened with an early point for Colman’s. CBC levelled when Iarlaith Daly and Declan Hanlon combined for Owen McCarthy who pointed. Declan Hanlon with a pointed edged the City side ahead.

David Lardner landed an equalising free 0-2 each. In the sixth minute Colman’s Brian Roche placed David Morrisson for a goal. Eoin Carey followed with a pointed free.

CBC replied with a Shane Barrett pointed free before Eoin Carey with a very good point had Colmans ahead 1-4 to 0-3. St Colmans had two wides before Darragh Flynn worked well for James Kearney who pointed. Good work by Eoin and Brian Roche led to a good point by Patrick O’Flynn.

Iarlaith Daly landed a long range point with Darragh Flynn replying for the Fermoy side. Jack Cahalane had a very good point for CBC as Colman’s led by double scores 1-7 to 0-5.

CBC kept in touch with Shane Barrett and Iarlaith Daly working well for Jack Cahalane who sent over. Shane Barrett soloed through and pointed 1-7 to 0-7. In the 22nd minute David Lardner with a free opened up a four point lead.

A foul on David Morrisson led to another pointed free by David Lardner. Good play by Ciaran O’Brien to Eoin Roche led to a very good save by Cian Long. In the 26th minute Eoin Roche and Greg Lardner worked well for Brian Roche who pointed as Colmans led by six points 1-10 to 0-7.

CBC finished the half well – Robbie Cotter pointed and a good solo run by Declan Hanlon led to a well executed Kevin Finn point. In the closing moments James Kearney pointed for Colman’s. In injury time Jack O’Kelly placed Declan Hanlon who pointed. At the break St Colmans held a six point lead 1-12 to 0-9.

Colman’s hit the ground running on the changeover. They had a quick point by Patrick O’Flynn after good play by James Kearney. CBC forced a ‘65’ that Shane Barrett converted.

James Kearney pointed in the 38th minute 1-14 to 0-10 David Morrisson had his second goal in the 42nd minute as Colmans moved 2-14 to 0-10 clear. David Lardner followed with another free 2-14 to 0-11.

CBC introduced Padraigh Power and Mark Buckley. Both substitutes made a huge impact. They took control from here to the end holding Colmans to a mere two points. Kevin Finn forced a ‘65 that Shane Barrett converted.

Colmans Eoin Carey soloed through and he placed James Kearney for a point. Padraigh Power pointed for CBC Eoin Carey pointed for Colmans, which was their last score.

CBC gained control in the halfback line and midfield sectors. Their forwards in regular supply took some good scores. Jack Cahalane goaled and Kevin Finn followed with a point 2-16 to 1-15.

A foul on Padraigh Power led to a penalty that Cian Long goaled from and the lead was down to a single point. Declan Hanlon levelled in the 50th minute 2-16 each.

From here to the finish it was all CBC. They hit the front when Kevin Finn and Jack Cahalane worked well for Declan Hanlon who sent over. Padraigh Power added a point and Iarlaith Daly with a long range -point opened up a lead 2-19 to 2-16.

St Colmans were off target but the momentum was now certainly with CBC who added three more points without reply by Owen McCarthy, Iarlaith Daly and Shane Barrett.

Colmans keeper Ben Hogan saved well in the closing minutes from Shane Barrett. There was great excitement at the final whistle as John O’Brien Chairman Post Primary Schools Board presented the cup to Shane Barrett CBC captain for the first time ever.

CBC: C Long 1-0 pen (Glen Rovers), C Daly (Lismore), P Hennessy (Mallow), D Barry (Sarsfields), D Quill (Blarney), C O’Donovan (Douglas), J Scally (Bishopstown), D Hanlon 0-4 (Blarney), K Finn 0-2 (Midleton), S Barrett 0-6 (5f) (Blarney), I Daly 0-3 (Lismore), O McCarthy 0-2 (Inniscarra), R Cotter 0-1 (Blackrock), J O’Kelly (St. Finbarr’s), J Cahalane 1-2 (do) Subs: P Power 0-2 (Blarney) for R Cotter, M Buckley (Inniscarra) for J O’Kelly, G Mulcahy (Glen Rovers) for D Quill, N Hartnett (Douglas) for K Finn

ST. COLMAN’S: B Hogan (Bride Rovers), L Aherne (Fermoy), J Scannell (do), C O’Brien (St Catherine’s), L Doocey (Castlelyons), E Roche (Bride Rovers), G Lardner (Fermoy), D Flynn 0-1 (Ballygiblin), E Carey 0-4 (1f) (Kilworth), D Lardner 0-3f (Fermoy), J Kearney 0-4 (Castlelyons), P O’Flynn 0-2 (Bride Rovers), C Barry (do), B Roche 0-2 (do), D Morrisson 2-0 (Castlelyons) Subs: J Molloy (Fermoy) for C Barry, P Roche (Castlelyons) for J Kearney, P O’Leary (Watergrasshill) for D Morrisson, J Mannix (Bride Rovers) for L Doocey

REFEREE: Cormac Dineen (Douglas)