PS Inbhear Scéine win Liam Higgins Cup after 11-goal final against Coláiste Choilm

MUNSTER PPS UNDER-17 ‘B’ FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Pobalscoil Inbhearr Scéine 6-10 Coláiste Choilm (Cork) 5-11

POBALSCOIL Inbhear Scéine firmly stamped their mark on this year’s Munster Colleges roll of honour by annexing the Corn Liam Uí hÚigínn – named, for the legendary Kerry full forward of bygone days, Kerry Radio GAA commentator and team mentor to several West Kerry teams.

Higgins would have loved this game. Fast, open football, players unabashedly ambitious with the ball and willing to engage in one-on-one duels. That’s Coláiste

Choilm as well as Inbhear Scéine; both schools did themselves massively proud.

David Grebowiec opened the scoring for Inbhear Scéine and Michael O’Mahony added a goal. Colaiste Choilm were winning good ball but slightly off target with shots – in fact, their first score was slightly lucky, with Seán Murphy’s long effort dropping into the net. Grebowiec fed a good ball to Donnacha O’Sullivan for Inbhearr Sceine to respond with a second green flag of their own and Neal O’Shea added a point. 2-2 to 1-0, and looking good.

The scoreline wasn’t a genuine reflection of the quality of Coláiste Choilm’s play and a fine pass from Cian O’Connor saw Matthew Thompson slot a second goal for them. Ballincollig midfielder Danny Miskella, son of Cork legend John, was the most influential player on view and he added a free to make it a one point game at the end of the first quarter.

Grebowiec slotted a second goal and Kieran O’Sullivan added a point. Neal O’Shea slotted his second goal and Inbhear Scéine led by 4-2 to 2-1. Ballincollig replied with a burst of their own, Danny Miskella racing through for an absolutely stunning goal and they took over the remainder of the first half, nailing four points on the trot, three of them from the outstanding midfielder.

One suspects that Kenmare’s management of Seán O’Shea and Ronan Buckley, both experienced operators in games against Cork teams, were glad to hear the whistle and regroup, even though their school led 4-3 to 3-5 at half time.

There was a lot more than just a shooting duel between two great forwards, but there was no denying that Grebowiec and

Miskella were the key influencers of the scoreboard. Grebowiec drew first blood in the second half with another stunning goal and then adding a point. Colaiste Choilm replied with minors from a mark from Cian Ahern and a goal from Kevin O’Leary to tie things up, 5-4 to 4-7.

Kieran O’Sullivan and Luke O’Mahony exchanged points. Peter Rose (2) nudged the Cork side in front and Luke O’Mahony made it a three point game. In fact, Inbhear Scéine very nearly conceded another goal, only for Colm Cronin to brilliantly clear off the goal-line.

Time was getting very tight now as Inbhearr Scéine by 4-11 to 5-6. When the need was greatest, though, Inbhearr Scéine really rose to their task, notching the next four points through Kieran and Donnacha O’Sullivan and two from the outstanding Greebowiec. Neal O’Shea was on the end of a brilliant team move and confidently slotted it past the keeper to make it a four-point game.

In fairness to Coláiste Choilm, they fought to the very last, with Miskella notching one last goal, but it wasn’t enough to deny a magnificent Inbhear Scéine triumph. 32 scores, just four of them from frees and one mark, and no less than 11 goals. And in a thrilling finale, just two points separated two great teams. How often do you see games like that nowadays?

PS INBHEAR SCÉINE: Donal O’Shea, Jack Sweeney, Michael Casey, Colm Cronin, David O’Brien, Conor Galvin, Seamus O’Donoghue, Liam O’Sullivan, Chulann Hussey, Michael O’Mahony (10), David Grebowiec 2-4 (0-1f), Liam Brown, Kieran O’Sullivan 0-3 (2f), Donnacha O’Sullivan (1-2), Neal O’Shea (2-1). Subs: Rossa Mac Gearailt for L Brown (36), Michael Jones for S O’Donoghue (48), Aidan O’Sullivan for M O’Mahony (56)