Lynch hat-trick puts St Colman’s in driving seat

St. Colman’s, Fermoy 4-20 Kilmallock 0-8

It was all too easy for the champions, who got their challenge for a fourth title in a row firmly back on track following a draw with Cashel three weeks ago.

There was never a hint of an upset as Colman’s scorched into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes.

And while Kilmallock battled bravely, they didn’t have enough good players to trouble the Fermoy college.

They did have an outstanding centre back in Gavin O’Mahony, who played himself to a standstill, but he lacked any real support and only Robbie McGrath and Kieran Ryan offered any real resistance.

While it was all too easy for Colmans, they will be happy with the displays of Mark O’Connor at centre back, midfielders Eamon Condon and Padraig Cotter, Paul Hoye at centre forward and of course the delightful skills of Padraig Lynch, who finished the game with a personal tally of 3-6.

The writing was on the wall for the Limerick college at half-time when they found themselves 2-7 to 0-7 down after playing with the aid of the strong wind.

The second-half was purely shooting practice for Colman’s as the scores d came with monotonous regularity, and they’ll face a far sterner test when the play Colaiste Spioraid Naoimh in their final group match next month.

Scorers: St. Colman’s: P. Lynch 3-6 (0-5 frees); R. Coakley 1-1; P. Hoye 0-4; A. Mannix, E. Condon 0-3 each; R. O’Connell 0-2; P. O’Driscoll 0-1.

Kilmallock: E. Ryan 0-3 (0-1 free); G. O’Mahony 0-2 (frees); P. O’Riordan 0-1.

ST. COLMAN’S: C. O’Keeffe; M. Hegarty, S. Russell, J. O’Sullivan; B. Hogan, M. O’Connor, K. Dineen; E. Condon, P. Cotter; R. O’Connell, P. Hoye, J. Kearney; P. Lynch, A. Mannix, R. Coakley. Subs: A. O’Connor for Kearney; E. Kenneally for Hogan; K. O’Keeffe for Hegarty; D. Arnold for Hoye; P. O’Driscoll for Mannix.

KILMALLOCK: S. Heffernan; R. McGrath, L. Hurley, V. Hurley; S. O’Neill, G. O’Mahony, B. Og O’Sullivan; J. McManus, P. O’Riordan; E. Ryan, M. Deedy, L. Conway; J. Kelleher, K. Ryan, J. Manning. Subs: D. Kenny for V. Hurley; S. O’Donnell for Conway; E. Burchill for Kelleher.

Referee: W. Horgan (Cork).