Corn Uí Mhuirí: Coláiste Choilm strike twice in added time to rescue dramatic draw

This Group 3 Round 1 encounter looked destined to go one way, with De La Salle seven points clear after 56 minutes. It was a game they controlled for the vast majority and they were good value too.

But Coláiste Choilm, who were never in front at any stage, produced a remarkable rally with two goals in added time from substitute Michael O’Donoghue and Alex Lehane, followed by a fantastic point from this year’s Cork minor captain Joe Miskella, to rescue a draw for the Ballincollig school.

This will feel like a victory for Coláiste Choilm, who have a bye in the next round given it is a three-team group, while De La Salle take on High School Clonmel, last season’s beaten finalists.

In a game with plenty of bite given the local rivalry, it was the Macroom side that made the better start to a cagey and tough first quarter.

They led 0-3 to 0-2 with Ruairí O’Shea landing two difficult frees.

Coláiste Choilm levelled through Miskella after a clever pass from Evan Stack.

It did not last long as points from Jack Kelleher Leavy (2), Jack Browne and O’Shea gave De La Salle a 0-7 to 0-3 advantage after 22 minutes.

It was extended to five after a fine 45 from goalkeeper Adam Long.

Coláiste Choilm did have chances but found it hard to break through an excellent De La Salle defence, with Eoghan Healy leading the way.

De La Salle held a 0-8 to 0-3 buffer at the short whistle.

They continued to dictate matters. Billy Murphy landed a free before Coláiste Choilm did enjoy a purple patch.

They hit three unanswered points, while Luke O’Mahony had a goal opportunity well saved by goalkeeper Long, leaving it 0-9 to 0-6 after 45 minutes.

The sides then swapped white flags until possibly a crucial score with five minutes to go.

Coláiste Choilm failed to clear their lines, giving Jack Browne an easy finish to the net and a 1-10 to 0-7 lead.

Murphy’s effort looked like the insurance score for the Macroom school, but it was not to be. Coláiste Choilm got their second wind with two goals in added time through O’Donoghue and Lehane.

Both came from well-worked moves as Denis Keohane’s side showed great composure.

In the final action, it was Miskella who had nerves of steel to bisect the posts despite fierce pressure from the De La Salle defence, with the final whistle sounding seconds later.

Two very different emotions greeted the final whistle, with Coláiste Choilm delighted.

Scorers for Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig: J Miskella 0-3, A Lehane, M O’Donoghue 1-0 each, B Mehigan 0-2, É Lynch, R Coakley, C Murphy 0-1 each.

Scorers for De La Salle College, Macroom: J Browne 1-2, B Murphy (0-1 f), R O’Shea (0-2 f) 0-3 each, J Kelleher Leavy 0-2, A Long 0-1 (0-1 45).

COLÁISTE CHOILM, BALLINCOLLIG: D McCarthy (Ballincollig); R Linehan (Inniscarra), F Murphy (Ballinora), C Murphy (Ballinora); A Lehane (Ballinora), J Costello (Ballincollig), É Lynch (Ballincollig); C Cogan (Ballincollig), R Coakley (Éire Óg); B Mehigan (Ballinora), J Miskella (Ballincollig), E Stack (Ballincollig); F Lordan (Ballincollig), L O’Mahony (Ballincollig), C Murphy (Éire Óg).

Subs: M O’Riordan (Éire Óg) for A Lehane (2-6, temp), M O’Donoghue (Ballinora) for J Costello (39).

DE LA SALLE COLLEGE, MACROOM: A Long (Kilmurry); R Fitzgerald (Macroom), E Healy (Macroom), T Hopkins (Macroom); B O’Leary (Kilmurry), C Neville (Macroom), R O’Sullivan (Naomh Abán); S Kelleher Leavy (Macroom), J O’Shea (Macroom); R O’Shea (Macroom), J Browne (Kilmichael), D Moss (Macroom); D O’Shea (Macroom), J Kelleher Leavy (Macroom), B Murphy (Macroom).

Subs: S Hennigan (Kilmichael) for D Moss (38), A Hopkins (Macroom) for D O’Shea (41), O McNulty (Uibh Laoire) for R O’Sullivan, D Donovan (Macroom) for R O’Shea (both 58).

Referee: Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers).