Kerrigan turns it for Críost Rí

Coláiste Chríost Rí 1-12 St Fachtnas1-7

It was a result that didn't look likely in the opening half as the Skibb side, backed by the strong wind, had at one stage held a five-point lead. But the Capwell school made their West Cork counterparts pay a heavy price for wastefulness in the second half and Kerrigan's goal was the turning point.

There was little to choose between the teams in the opening quarter at the end of which they had shared six points, the highly impressive Roy Leahy scoring two of Chriost Rí's tally.

Defences were on top in that opening period with Colin Lyons, Michael O'Leary and Ray Keating very prominent for Chriost Rí, while Michael Hellen, Damien O'Neill and Chris Hayes were notable for the Skibb side.

However, the second quarter was totally dominated by Fachtnas' Brian Dwyer and Shane Crowley. The pressure told, a minute from the break when Ger Newman made a timely interception before racing through to rattle the net helping his side to an interval lead of 1-5 to 0-4.

Chriost Rí moved Roy Leahy to full forward for the second half and with the strong wind to their backs, began to use the long ball to great effect.

With Kerrigan and Leahy showing their class, Chriost Rí were level by the end of the third quarter with a succession of well taken points.

Fachtnas' cause wasn't helped by a miss from Brian Dwyer before Colm O'Neill was denied a goal by the superb defending of Chris Murphy.

From that let off Christ Rí swept downfield playing one-touch football and when the ball came to Kerrigan he soloed 30 metres before slipping home a marvellous goal that finally broke the Fachtnas' challenge.

Scorers Chriost Rí: R. Leahy 0-6; P. Kerrigan 1-3; P. McCabe, M. O'Leary, S. Horgan 0-1 each. St. Fachtnas: G. Newman 1-0; J. O'Regan, B. Dwyer 0-2 each; G. O'Donovan, D. O'Driscoll, Colm O'Neill 0-1 each.

CHRIOST RI: D. O'Sullivan; C. Lyons, C. Murphy, C. O'Brien; M. O'Leary, R. Keating, D. Newman; P. Kerrigan, F. Lynch; P. McCabe, M. O'Sullivan, D. Coughlan; R. Leahy, E. O'Sullivan, E. Hegarty. Sub. S. Horgan for O'Sullivan.

ST FACHTNAS: C. Hodnett; C. Long, M. Hellen, P. O'Driscoll; C. O'Driscoll, D. O'Neill, C. Hayes; B. Dwyer, S. Crowley; G. Newman, J. O'Regan, S. O'Driscoll; G. O'Donovan, Colm O'Neill, Conal O'Neill.

Referee: M. Collins (Clonakilty)