Eolan O’Leary’s goal keeps Ballincollig hopes alive

Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig 1-9 Coláiste Na Sceilge Cahersiveen 0-9: Although they controlled the game for large periods, Colaiste Choilm of Ballincollig had just three points to spare over Colaiste Na Sceilge at the Dr Crokes GAA Grounds in Killarney yesterday.

It was Eolan O’Leary’s goal in the 14th minute that proved the difference as the Cork School looked comfortable in leading by six points (1-8 to 0-5) at the three-quarter mark.

The Maurice Fitzgerald-managed Kerry outfit struggled for large parts but did have two goal chances in the second period that might have swung the game. The goalpost denied them on the first occasion before Colaiste Choilm goalkeeper Eoin Curzon smothered another effort at goal from substitute Eoghan McDaid in the 46th minute. Sean Warren dominated the scoring stakes for the victors with six points (four from frees), while Muiris Fitzgerald (son of Maurice) scored four frees for Na Sceilge.

Colaiste Choilm defended well as a unit in restricting their opponents to only four points from play. Na Sceilge scored the final three points of the game in the last six minutes to leave only the goal between the sides but couldn’t find an equalising goal.

Coupled with the draw between Tralee CBS and Rochestown, this defeat ends the Cahersiveen’s schools qualification hopes, while Ballincollig need a win over Tralee in the last game to be certain of advancing to the quarter-finals, though a draw might prove enough.

Scorers for Colaiste Choilm:

S Warren (0-6, 4f), E O’Leary (1-0), S Quigley, R Burke (1f) and K Crowley (0-1 each)

Scorers for Colaiste Na Sceilge:

M Fitzgerald (0-4, 4f), J O’Sullivan (1f), O Moran, J Murphy, E McDaid and L O’Shea (0-1 each)

COLÁISTE CHOILM BALLINCOLLIG:

E Curzon; W Ronan, F Warren, S Walsh; D Courtney, L Fahy, S Quigley; C O’Callaghan, K Crowley; R Burke, J Murphy, C Bennett; E O’Leary, F O’Donovan, S Warren.

Subs:

E Kiely for Courtney (42), F Denny for O’Donovan (52), D Cronin for O’Leary and R O’Donovan for Quigley (56).

COLÁISTE NA SCIELGE:

P McGill; M Daly, B McCarthy, K Sheahan; J Donnelly, M O’Leary, C Flaherty; N O’Connor, J Murphy; M Fitzgerald, J O’Sullivan, O Moran; J Curran, C Guiney, L O’Shea

Subs:

E McDaid for Curran (38), N O’Shea for Guiney (46), S O’Connor for Flaherty and I Moriarty for Donnelly (55).

Referee:

T McCarthy (Castleisland Desmonds)