Luttrell strikes late for Spioraid Naoimh
And yesterday’s exciting Credit Union Corn Pádraig (Munster Colleges Senior ‘B’ Hurling Championship) decider in Fermoy proved no different, as a sweet injury-time free from Conor Luttrell — from an acute angle — proved the winning point in an all Cork city final that buzzed throughout a cracking second-half, despite the driving rain.
Coláiste Críost Rí will feel hard done by. But, when needed, Coláiste An Spioraid Naoimh steadied the ship when playing against the strong breeze in the second-half to go six points clear entering the final quarter.
They also kept their heads high when they fell behind to a Coláiste Críost Rí onslaught, which yielded 2-2, including a fine Eric Hegarty goal with time almost up.
Undaunred, a levelling point from Eoin McCarthy and Luttrell’s killer strike earned them the spoils, but it took superb displays from Michael Power, who scored two goals, Ian Jones and Paul Honohan — as Hegarty and Gavin O’Connor running the show for Críost Rí — to win the day.
Despite points from a Brian O’Callaghan free, a ‘65 from Luttrell and McCarthy from play, the Bishopstown college struggled as CCR’s Hegarty worked his skills at midfield.
He opened their account in the ninth minute, with a sideline cut that deceived CSN goalkeeper Sean Cremin and ended up in the net. CCRí led 1-2 to 0-3 after the first quarter.
Evan Allen pointed for CCRí in the 17th minute, and, as Spioraid Naoimh struggled, despite playing with the strong breeze, it took a late goal from Power to keep them in touch with the sides level at the break, 1-4 apiece.
The game needed to pick up and it certainly did that as both sides went for it. No question the switch of Paul Honohan to partner Jones at midfield was crucial, for both were majestic in the second-half.
Jones was instrumental in both CSN’s goals scored by Power and McCarthy, in the 35th and 37th minutes, and the pace of Honohan earned him a terrific point, as CSN threatened to steamroll over CCRí — leading 3-7 to 1-8 entering the final quarter.
But CCRí refused to wilt. Jamie O’Dwyer pointed, then Sean Martin, and, though Honohan again replied with a sublime point, Allen was in for a 50th minute goal, and, suddenly, just two points separated the sides. No question CCRí’s tails were up now and when the outstanding Hegarty goaled in the 56th minute, to put his side a point ahead, it looked curtains for CCN.
Level heads and experience then came to bear as some towering play from Stephen Power and Jamie O’Sullivan in defence as well s Power, Jones and Honohan, kept CSN moving resulting in McCarthy levelling matters.
Then, with time up, CSN were awarded a free. Referee Dave Farrell told Luttrell it would be the last strike and the wing back obliged to the detriment of CRí.
Scorers for Spioraid Naoimh: M. Power 2-1, E. McCarthy 1-2, P. Honohan and C. Luttrell (0-1 ‘65, 0-1 free) 0-2 each, B. O’Callaghan (free), E. Heffernan, D. O’Connor 0-1 each.
Críost Rí: E. Hegarty 2-3 (1-0 sideline), E. Allen 1-1, B. Coughlan 0-3 (0-2 frees), J. O’Dwyer, S. Martin 0-1 each.
COLÁSTE AN SPIORAID NAOIMH: S. Cremin; S. Power, E. Hourihane, S. Hayes; J. Neville, J. O’Sullivan, C. Luttrell; I. Jones, E. Heffernan; R. Fitzgibbon, D. O’Connor, P. Honohan; E. McCarthy, M. Power, B. O’Callaghan.
COLÁISTE CRÍOST RI: D. McCarthy; R. Kelly, E. Keane, M. Tobin; I. Leahy, G. O’Connor, C. Bonus; E. Hegarty, C. Lucey; B. O’Sullivan, E. Allen, D. McCarthy; B. Coughlan, S. Martin, J. O’Dwyer.
Subs: E. Kelly for Bonus, D. Ward for Leahy.
Referee: D. Farrell (Mitchelstown).
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