Leahy’s early strike inspires classy Caimin’s to first Munster title

ST. CAIMIN’S created history by winning their first ever Munster colleges football title at Feenagh yesterday.

The Shannon school lifted the Corn na Carraige (Munster U-16 “C”) playing a brand of football well above the grade in a game that produced excellent passages of play that were a credit to both sides.

The winners had a number of outstanding players in Stephen McInerney, Daniel Gallery, Liam Markham, Gary Leahy and Pa Coughlan, while it was no fault of goalkeeper Liam O Flionn who made a string of magnificent saves, that Colaiste Phiarsaigh failed.

The Glanmire school played with the very strong wind in the first half and were quickly into their stride with a brace of points inside the opening two minutes. However St. Caimins settled well and Gary Leahy rifled home a goal after nine minutes.

And it got worse for Colaiste Phiarsaigh five minutes later when Conor McGrath blasted home a second goal and the Shannon school were full value for their 2-1 to 0-3 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

If Colaiste Phiarsaigh were to have any chance, they needed to be at least six points in front at the break, but they failed to penetrate a rock solid Caimins defence in which Gallery and Markham were superb.

However, centre forward Ciaran O Mathuna then helped himself to 1-1 to level the game before an Aaron Leahy point put Caimins in front 2-2 to 1-4 at the break.

Colaiste Phiarsaigh’s Glen O Criodain continued to sparkle in attack and two points in a row had them one to the good after 35 minutes.

The strong wind was clearly a factor and after Sean Collins reduced the deficit with a point, it took a magnificent save by Liam O Flionn to deny Pa Coughlan a certain goal.

However the Phiarsaigh defence failed to clear the danger and Coughlan made no mistake at the second attempt which put his side into a 3-4 to 1-6 lead at the three quarter stage.

Caimins then lost their outstanding centre back Stephen McInerney for a second yellow card offence.

Despite applying enormous pressure Phiarsaigh’s only reward was a late point by Sean O Drisceoil.

Scorers: St. Caimins: G. Leahy 1-3 (0-1 free); C. McGrath, P. Coughlan 1-0 each; A. Leahy, S. Collins 0-1 each. Colaiste Phiarsaigh: C. O Mathuna 1-2; G. O Criodain 0-3 (0-2 frees); M. de Barra, S. O Drisceoil 0-1 each.

ST. CAIMINS: P. Russell; D. Gallery, J. Conroy, M. Frawley; L. Markham, S. McInerney, S. O’Brien; G. Whelan, S. Collins; J. Ryan, G. Leahy, S. Hynan; A. Leahy, P. Coughlan, C. McGrath.

Sub. E. Hayes for J. Ryan.

COLAISTE PHIARAIGH: L. O Flionn; D. MacRuairi, S. O Fearghail, A. O Laoire; D. O Creimin, P. O Suilleabhain, L. O Suilleabhain; C. O Murchu, L. O Caoimh; S. O Drisceoil, C. O Mathuna, M. O Caoimh; G. O Criodain, I. O Braoinain, M. de Barra.

Subs. G. O Murchu for M. O Caoimh; S. O Conchuir for A. O Laore; S. Beecher for L. O Caoimh.

Referee: M. Meade (Limerick).