Hegarty leads charge as goal-hungry Críost Rí advance
In this winner-take-all Corn Uí Mhuirí clash at Ballinora yesterday, once the Cork kingpins went ahead against Coláiste Choilm the outcome was inevitable.
Inspired by some delightful touches from centre-forward Eric Hegarty, who had a hand in most of their goals, and with wing-forward Shane Martin blasting in a hat-trick, Críost Rí had the game wrapped up by the break despite a good opening spell by Coláiste Choilm in which they took the lead for the first and only time with a seventh minute Dermot Herlihy goal.
Unfortunately, they had to wait until the 46th minute for their next score, by which time Críost Rí were already in the quarter-final draw.
The game got off to a bright start, with Shane McCarthy and Barry Newman pointing for Críost Rí. Kieran Joyce got one back for Coláiste Choilm, who were moving with menace against a sluggish Críost Rí rearguard. Indeed the Capwell side were soon caught out when Steve O’Driscoll’s glorious line ball was finished to the net by Herlihy.
But Hegarty, who shipped a fair bit of first-half punishment, then began to strut his stuff, firing over two more frees and making the first goal for Martin in the 12th minute as Críost Rí led 1-5 to 1-1 after the first quarter. Hegarty was excellent in the second quarter and with big midfielders Brian Corry and Ian Madden also in fine form they tore into Coláiste Choilm. Hegarty set up Newman for their second goal in the 18th minute and just before the break they had two more, the third from Jason Sexton - Hegarty and Newman doing the damage - and the fourth from Martin - his second - to lead 4-7 to 1-1 at the break.
There was no stopping Críost Rí after the restart, Sexton, Ian Madden and Newman tacking on quick points. In fairness to the Ballincollig side they never gave up and it took a fine save from Críost Rí keeper Darren Haines to deny Joyce in the 44th minute. Críost Rí led 4-10 to 1-1 entering the final quarter before Coláiste Choilm at last got their third point from a Joyce free. But Críost Rí simply upped the pace again, with Martin completing his hat-trick in the 48th minute and Shane McCarthy adding a point.
There were substitutes aplenty in the closing minutes but very little scoring. Críost Rí had made their point, finishing second in the three team group to St. Brendan’s, Killarney and now as dangerous as ever.
: Críost Rí: S. Martin 3-0, J. Sexton, B. Newman 1-2 each, E. Hegarty 0-4 (frees), S. McCarthy 0-2, I. Madden 0-1. Coláiste Choilm: D. Herlihy 1-1, K. Joyce 0-2 (0-1 free), C. O’Sullivan 0-1.
: D. Haines; T. O’Connor, D. Bracken, E. Allen; I. Foley, P. Butler, A. Duggan; I. Madden, B, Corry; S. Martin, E. Hegarty, S. McCarthy; J. Sexton, B. Newman, I. Leahy. Subs: D. McCarthy for Butler, K. Murphy for Allen, R. Kenneally for Duggan, C. Cummins for Newman, C. O’Shea for Leahy.
: C. Horgan; R. McKeown, D. Ryan, K. Hickey; B. Hallissey, N. Galvin, E. Neville; C. Lowney, C. O’Sullivan; D. Herlihy, S. O’Driscoll, C. O’Connor; M. Lordan, K. Joyce, K. Ryan. Subs: C. Farrell for Ryan, P. O’Flynn for Neville, M. Ó Cathasaigh for O’Driscoll, J. Walsh for McKeown, C. Deasy for Lowney.
: D. Daly (Redmonds).
AS a result of yesterday’s games, the following schools have qualified for the knock out stages of the Corn Uí Mhuirí. Schools who have already met in the championship will not be paired together again.
The draws will take place after Christmas.
: Tralee CBS, St. Flannan’s.
: Limerick Colleges, Dingle CBS.
: DLS Macroom, St. Fachtna’s.
: St. Brendan’s, Coláiste Chriost Rí.
