Críost Rí must step up a gear
Because, despite their comprehensive semi-final win over a disappointing Killorglin side at Carrigadrohid yesterday, the Cork students failed to shine and will need to up their overall performance if they are to beat holders Coláiste Na Sceilge, the Munster Colleges senior football champions, in a few weeks time.
True, they had little difficulty in winning this uninspiring contest and only came under pressure for a brief period at the start of the second-half. But a much-vaunted Críost Rí team failed to fire on all cylinders, despite their 12-points winning margin
Wing back Jonathon Lane, half forward Roy Leahy and full-forward cum midfielder, Jonathon O’Sullivan, stood out as Críost Rí scaled this hurdle but such was the quality of the opposition that the Turner’s Cross lads should have won much more convincingly.
They took the lead with an Eric O’Sullivan free after four minutes and although Killorglin equalised with a point from centre-forward Edwin Kelliher shortly afterwards - their only score from play over the hour - it was clear even at this early stage who was going to win.
With the splendidly organised Críost Rí defence in control, the last remaining Cork standard-bearers led by two points after a very mundane opening quarter. The first goalscoring chance came Killorglin’s way in the 21st minute but midfielder Raymond O’Connor’s shot was brilliantly saved at the near post by outstanding Críost Rí net-minder Denis O’Sullivan.
Roy Leahy settled Críost Rí’s nerves with a point from a free and to compound Killorglin’s anguish the Cork side broke swiftly for Leahy to set Jonathon O’Sullivan for a peach of a goal in the 26th minute.
With outstanding wing back Lane and centre forward Paul Kerrigan pointing superbly, Críost Rí led 1-6 to 0-2 at half time, Killorglin's second point of the first-half being scored by wing forward Michael Hallissey from a free in injury time.
For the first and only time, Killorglin piled on the pressure after the resumption. First, full-forward Darren O’Sullivan pointed a free. Then a goalbound shot from midfielder Fintan Coffey was again magnificently saved by Denis O’Sullivan. But Killorglin kept coming. Sean Riordan kicked over another free and reduced the deficit to five points. And the Kerry boys could have been even closer but for some wayward finishing.
But Críost Rí moved up a gear and three points in succession from Leahy, Jonathon O’Sullivan and Eric Hegarty put the game beyond Killorglin’s reach. Críost Rí’s victory was copper-fastened at the start of the last quarter when corner forward Hegarty punched home a floating lob from centre-forward Paul Kerrigan. Now 2-9 to 0-4 to the good, Críost Rí simply went through the motions in the closing stages and to compound a woeful day for the Intermediate School, who failed to score from play in the second-half, they had midfielder Raymond O’Connor sent off at the end after receiving a straight red card for an off the ball incident in what was otherwise, a very sporting, if, sub-standard game.
: Colaiste Chríost Rí: J. O’Sullivan 1-2; E. Hegarty 1-1; R. Leahy 0-4 (0-3 from frees); J. Lane 0-2; E. O’Sullivan and P. Kerrigan 0-1 each. Intermediate Killorglin: D. O'Sullivan 0-2 (0-2 from frees); M. Hallissey (free), S. Riordan (free) and E. Kelleher 0-1 each.
: D. O'Sullivan; G. O'Shea, C. Murphy, C. O'Brien; M. O'Sullivan, R. Keating, J. Lane; F. Lynch, E. O'Sullivan; R. Leahy, P. Kerrigan, P. McCabe; D. Coughlan, J. O'Sullivan, E. Hegarty. Subs. E. Clarke for Hegarty; R. O'Keeffe for J. O'Sullivan (injured); M. O'Leary for Lane (injured).
: V. Costello; J. O'Keeffe, J. O’Reilly, P. O'Reilly; M. Griffin, C. Kelliher, L. O’Sullivan; R. O’Connor, F. Coffey; M. Hallissey, E. Kelliher, S. Riordan; A. O’Sullivan, D. O’Sullivan, E. O’Mahony. Subs. P. O’Sullivan for Hallissey; G. Sayers for Riordan.
: B. Tyrell (Clonmel).
