Double delight as Macroom march on

DOUBLE delight for De La Salle, Macroom at Dunmanway yesterday.

A four-point victory over St Fachtna’s, Skibbereen culminated in the winning of the Simcox Cup, Cork Colleges SFC, and, more importantly, secured them a place in the Corn Uí Mhuirí final for only the second time in their history.

A productive opening period against a stiff wind, laid the foundations for the win. But credit St Fachtna’s for battling back against the odds.

Two pointed frees from right half forward Donal O’Sullivan gave Macroom the perfect start and left St. Fachtna’s chasing a game they never looked like winning. With Sean Kiely on top at midfield, the stylish Macroom attack received a plentiful supply of ball to parade their talents, which they did to the full to keep their opponents on the back foot all through.

St Fachtna’s, who kicked eight wides to their opponents’ four in the first half, did spurn some gilt-edged opportunities, from both play and frees, to come on level terms, but De La Salle, with wing forward Paul Healy kicking three outstanding points, always held the whip hand, increasing their lead to 0-6 to 0-2 coming up to the break.

Then, a minute before half time, St. Fachtna’s suffered a setback when a high lob from centre-forward David Goold found full-forward Patrick Lynch unmarked and he made no mistake from close range to power Macroom into a 1-7 to 0-2 interval lead.

It looked all over but St Fachtna’s gave their supporters cause for hope seconds after the resumption when full-forward Colin Crowley punched home a cross from wing forward Aaran O’Regan. However, they were never allowed to build on this.

Macroom’s response was swift with two points in rapid succession from John Ryan and man of the match Kiely, whose workrate throughout was exemplary. De La Salle looked to be coasting when they opened up a six points gap following a superb point from Patrick Lynch entering the last quarter.

But in the 50th minute substitute Sean Cahalane billowed the Macroom net, after receiving from Colin Crowley - his side’s best forward - to bring St Fachtna’s back into it.

Despite Macroom’s all-round superiority, they led by only three points with time running out and St Fachtna’s looked to have a chance. But Macroom’s response was magnificent and points from Healy and centre-forward Goold in the closing stages sealed their deserved triumph.

Not a classic but a sweet win for Macroom, who qualified for the final of the provincial senior championship for the first time since 1978.

Scorers: De La Salle, Macroom: P. Lynch 1-1; P. Healy 0-4; D. O’Sullivan 0-4 (0-3 from frees); D. Goold, J. Ryan and S. Kiely 0-1 each. St. Fachtna’s: C. Crowley 1-2; S. Cahalane 1-0; C. O’Driscoll 0-2 (0-2 from frees); S. Hurley 0-1 (0-1 from free);

DE LA SALLE, MACROOM: S. Casey; J. J. Murphy, P. Lynch, J. Corkery; R. Buckley, D. Cotter, I. Casey; J. Ambrose, S. Kiely; D. O’Sullivan, D. Goold, P. Healy; J. Ryan, P. Lynch, M. McDonagh.

Sub: C. Dunne for O’Sullivan.

ST. FACHTNA’S: E. Daly; D. Harrington, S. O’Brien, D. McCarthy; S. Kiely, M. Cahalane, S. O’Brien; S. O’Driscoll, Conor O’Driscoll; A. O’Regan, Colm O’Driscoll, S. Hurley; L. Shiely, C. Crowley, K. O’Driscoll.

Subs: S. Cahalane for Shiely; D. Lynch for Harrington (injured).

Referee: N. Barrett (Carrigtwohill).