St Francis College dig deep to shake off Intermediate School Killorglin

St Francis College Rochestown 3-10 Intermediate School Killorglin 3-7: Last season’s beaten finalists St Francis College, Rochestown had to dig deep in Millstreet yesterday to see off the persistent challenge of Intermediate School Killorglin, and book their place in the last eight of the Corn Uí Mhuirí. 

They finished top of Group A on scoring difference, sharing equal points with High School Clonmel and Tralee CBS.

In a compelling encounter that produced six goals — three in either half —the Roco boys twice led by seven points but were pegged back, and with five minutes left the teams were level.

The Cork side regained control to edge it four points to one thereafter. St Francis College blasted home two goals in the opening five minutes from Evan Ryle and Shane Kingston to lead 2-2 to 0-1. But the tricky crosswind caused problems for Rochestown and it was ISK that moved the ball with greater efficiency and points from Patrick Daly (2), Daniel Griffin, and Caoilim Teahan got them back into the game.

And when a goal arrived from Jamie Clifford the teams were tied 1-5 to 2-2. Despite not having raised a flag for over 20 minutes, the Cork boys regrouped in time to kick a brace before the break from Matthew McAuliffe and a Ryle free, leaving it 2-4 to 1-5 at half-time.

St Francis started the second half like the first, hitting 1-2 without reply. Nathan Walsh slotted over a point followed by a goal and a point from Ciarán Cormack.

Quick-fire goals from Daniel Whittleton and Fiachra Clifford had ISK in contention and when Daly angled over a free, the sides were level 3-6 apiece on 52 minutes. Kevin O’Donovan was then fouled and Ryle did a one-two pass for the lead. Sub Conor Russell stitched on another point before James Holland pushed the gap to three.

ISK won a close-in free at the end of normal time and Daly had to go for goal but his effort was deflected over for a point. The Roco boys held a dangerous two-point lead but a second white flag from Russell made it safe.

Scorers for St Francis College:

E Ryle (1-3, one free), S Kingston and C Cormack (1-1 each), C Russell (0-2), M McAuliffe, N Walsh and J Holland (0-1 each).

Scorers for ISK:

J Clifford, D Whittleton and F Clifford (1-0 each), P Daly (0-4 frees), D Griffin (0-2), C Teahan (0-1).

St Francis College:

C Denn (St Michael’s); D Murphy (Douglas), N Quirke (Carrigaline), R Ó Colmain (St Michael’s); K O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers), N Walsh (Douglas), L Grainger (St Michael’s); C Cormack (St Michael’s), E O’Brien (Douglas); S Collins (Douglas), S Powter (Douglas), M McAuliffe (Douglas); J Holland (Douglas), E Ryle (Carrigaline), S Kingston (Douglas).

Subs:

J Lyons (Nemo Rangers) for L Grainger (48), C Russell (Douglas) for S Collins (50).

ISK:

D O’Neill (Glenbeigh); C O’Connor (Beaufort), N O’Brien (Laune Rangers), I McGillycuddy (Beaufort); C Kennedy (Beaufort), D O’Sullivan (Laune Rangers), J McAuliffe (Dr Crokes); M Breen (Beaufort), C Teahan (Glenbeigh); F Clifford (Laune Rangers), P Daly (Laune Rangers), J Clifford (Laune Rangers); J Glinwood (Beaufort), D Griffin (Glenbeigh), D Whittleton (Laune Rangers).

Subs:

D O’Connor (Laune Rangers) for J Glinwood (38), P Carey (Laune Rangers) for I McGillycuddy (50), P Tyther (Laune Rangers) for D O’Sullivan (55).

Referee:

Denis Hickey (Cork).