Classy Críost Rí in control
But for two magnificent second-half saves by their goalkeeper Liam Sheehan, the Caherciveen school would have been well beaten by a far slicker Cork side who adopted to the very difficult conditions far better than their opponents.
Críost Rí served notice of their intentions as early as the opening minute when a snap shot by theircaptain Paul Kerrigan was taken off the goal-line by Na Sceilge full back Colin O'Sullivan with his goalkeeper beaten.
The new champions did their homework on their opponents to perfection. Their highly rated defence completely blotted out the threat of Patrick Curran and Paul O'Connor, reducing the former to just a single point from play, and credit must go to a number of Críost Rí defenders.
Curran could make no headway against the Cork centre back Ray Keating in the first half and got little change off Colin O'Brien when moved to right corner forward on the change over.
O'Brien was magnificent in the Críost Rí defence and was ably assisted by Chris Murphy who had a fine match after a shaky start on Rory Keating, Gearóid O'Shea and Ray Keating.
Facing into the near galeforce wind in the first half Críost Rí played the possession game to perfection, and after Roy Leahy gave them the lead at 0-4 to 0-3 in the 18th minute, the Capwell school struck for their opening goal a minute later.
Winning possession on the 65 metre line, Paul Kerrigan took off on a great run before putting David Coughlan through and the corner forward shot low to the corner of the net for a splendid goal which helped his side to a 1-4 to 0-4 half time lead, and Críost Rí were well on their way to their 14th title.
Na Sceilge resumed the second half with substitute Alan Curran on the 40 and his namesake Patrick at right corner forward, but it mattered little as the Críost Rí defence which had been outstanding all season, maintained its dominance over the opposition.
A Paul O'Connor point from a free early in the second half hinted at a recovery by the defending champions, but that was firmly nipped in the bud five minutes later by a second Críost Rí goal and what a magnificent effort it was.
It came following a tremendous four man passing movement which saw Roy Leahy on the end of it and from 20 metres out he gave the Na Sceilge 'keeper no chance with a rocket of a shot to the roof of the net.
Leahy showed his worth to his attack with a point two minutes later which put his side 2-5 to 0-2 in front, and defending champions were clearly in trouble.
Na Sceilge threw caution to the galeforce wind by switching their full back Colin O'Sullivan to midfield and it left a huge gap in defence which Críost Rí failed to exploit.
To be fair goalkeeper Liam Sheehan denied Roy Leahy a second goal and Jonathan O'Sullivan another with superb saves.
Críost Rí's dominance was illustrated when corner back Gearoid O'Shea came up to land a point in the 51st minute while Alan Curran kicked one for Na Sceilge two minute later, their first for 23 minutes play.
In the end it was all too easy for the Capwell school who will face far stiffer opposition from Leinster champions St Pats (Navan) in next Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final in Nenagh.
: Críost Rí: R. Leahy 1-2 (0-2 frees); D. Coughlan 1-1; E. Hegarty, P. McCabe, E. O'Sullivan, G. O'Shea 0-1 each. Na Sceilge: P. O'Connor (frees), P. Curran (0-2 frees) 0-2 each; A. Curran 0-1.
: D. O'Sullivan; G. O'Shea, C. Murphy, C. O'Brien; J. Lane, R. Keating, D. Newman; F. Lynch, E. O'Sullivan; P. McCabe, P. Kerrigan, R. Leahy; E. Hegarty, J. O'Sullivan, D. Coughlan. Subs. M. O'Sullivan for Newman; G. Cummins for Coughlan.
: L. Sheehan; W. Hunt, C. O'Sullivan, A. O'Sullivan; K. O'Shea, K. Young, T. O'Sullivan; C. O'Driscoll, G. O'Sullivan; G. O'Driscoll, P. Curran, K. O'Leary; D. Walsh, R. Keating, P. O'Connor. Subs. D. King for Walsh; A. Curran for O'Leary.
: M. Ryan (Limerick).
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