Colman’s show stuff of champions
Forced to field without six first choice players after the Kilworth club barred them from playing because of a county minor hurling final replay at the weekend, Colman’s strength in depth was illustrated by a tremendous gutsy performance which the newcomers couldn’t match.
Desperately keen to keep their record of not having lost a Harty Cup game for the last three years, the defending champions found themselves a goal down after just 10 seconds when Ronan Conway careered through unhindered.
However, they showed great heart in battling back to equality after 10 minutes and when Richard O’Connell gave them the lead with a goal in the 20th minute they never looked back. The champions owed much to the brilliance of their defence for their victory and the fact that no CSN forward got on the scoresheet is a tribute to the dominance of full-back Ger O’Connor, centre back Padraig Cotter and wing back Brian Hogan.
Despite the defeat the Bishopstown school, appearing at this level for the first time, are also through to the knock out stages as runners-up in their group, but they got a harsh dose of reality from this game which should stand them in good stead for what lies ahead.
Torrential rain before the game made it extremely difficult for both sets of players to play any decent hurling. At this level and this time of the year, it’s all about grinding out results and Colman’s are past masters at it. Inspirational captain Eamon Condon had his side level by the 10th minute after he hit over three points without reply, while it took CSN 20 minutes to add to their early goal when Ronan Coakley pointed a free which gave them the lead for only the second time.
However, Colman’s response was immediate and from the puck out the ball broke to Richard O’Connell who careered through before unleashing a powerful shot the roof of the net to give his side a lead they never lost. The brilliance of Padraig Cotter in the pivotal position for Colman’s meant CSN could make little headway in attack despite the efforts of Denis Crowley at full-forward and after turning over a point in front, 1-3 to 1-2, the defending champions struck the decisive blow when Alan O’Connor goaled in the 38th minute following excellent approach work by Jamie Kearney.
Colman’s failed to score for the rest of the hour and were forced to defend desperately as CSN came forward in waves. However, they could never get through for the all important goal which might have turned the tide, and their only reward for the sustained pressure were points from frees by midfielder Ronan Conway and centre back Shane O’Neill.
Defensively CSN are fine, with an excellent goalkeeper in Ken O’Halloran, while Paul O’Sullivan and Ronan Coakley can hold their own at midfield, but they will have to remedy their forward deficiency if they are to progress any further in the competition.
Scorers: St. Colman’s: E. Condon 0-4; R. O’Connell, A. O’Connor 1-0 each.
CSN: R. Conway 1-3; S. O’Neill 0-2.
ST. COLMANS: N. Cahill; M. Hegarty, G. O’Connor, J. O’Sullivan; B. Hogan, P. Cotter, K. Kearney; E. Condon, K. Dineen; S. Murphy, R. O’Connell, J. Kearney; E. O’Leary, A. O’Connor, R. Coakley.
CSN: K. O’Halloran; D. McSweeney, B. Nunan, B. Murphy; S. Fitzgerald, S. O’Neill, T. O’Donoghue; R. Conway, P. O’Sullivan; R. O’Dwyer, E. Joyce, T. Creed; P. O’Sullivan, D. Crowley, M. Collins. Subs. M. Shiels for Collins; D. O’Leary for Creed; M. O’Donoghue for McSweeney.
Referee: M. Corcoran (Delanys).
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