Kennefick the star for Carrigaline

COMPARATIVE newcomers Carrigaline Community School maintained their unbeaten run in the Dr Harty Cup with an exciting victory over past masters St Colman’s College, Fermoy, at Cobh yesterday.

With team captain Simon O’Brien and David Drake dominating midfield, Cathal McGuinness impressive at centre-back and corner forward Mark Kennefick emerging as the star up front, Carrigaline led by eight points at one stage.

However, inspired by the heroics of wing forward Tom Ryan, St Colman’s staged a magnificent late rally and came within two points of their opponents five minutes from the end of normal time. In the hectic dying moments, however, Carrigaline finally put an end to St Colman’s comeback.

Carrigaline, who drew with Nenagh in the opening game, hit the front when wing forward James Sheppard scored a fine goal in the 5th minute. And with Kennefick hitting some great long-range points Carrigaline went from strength to strength.

Kennefick, James McCarthy and Sheppard were all on target as Carrigaline opened up a 1-3 to 0-3 lead after the opening quarter and, with some admirable shooting, increased the gap to 1-8 to 0-5 at the break.

Carrigaline stretched their lead to eight points after the resumption, but St Colman’s did not surrender tamely and a goal from full-forward Daniel Dodey entering the final quarter proved the signal for a fightback.

Colman’s cut the deficit to two points with time running out, but two points from the outstanding Kennefick, who hit over eight all told, steered Carrigaline to safety.

Scorers: Carrigaline CS: J. Sheppard 1-1; M. Kennefick 0-8 (0-4 from frees; 0-3 from 65s; 0-1 from play); J. McCarthy 0-2; M. O’Sullivan 0-2; D. O’Regan, and S. O’Brien 0-1 each. St. Colman’s: D. Dodey 1-1; T. Ryan 0-6 (0-3 from frees; 0-1 from 65; 0-2 from play); B. O’Sullivan, M. Flynn, A. Condon and S. Boyce 0-1 each.

CARRIGALINE CS: M. O’Neill; S. Noonan, M. O’Callaghan, T. McGuinness; D. Bagnall, C. McGuinness, C. Barry; S. O’Brien, D. Drake; S. Condon, M. O’Sullivan, J. Sheppard; M. Kennefick, D. O’Regan, J. McCarthy. Substitutes: M. Hanlon for S. Condon; B. Dorgan for T. McGuinness (injured)

ST. COLMAN’S: E. Ahern; C. Hegarty, K. Lane, S. O’Brien; K. O’Brien, R. Clancy, M. O’Leary; A. Cronin, S. Finn; B. O’Sullivan, M. Roche, T. Ryan; A. Condon, D. Dodey, L. Whelan. Substitutes: M. Flynn for Roche; D. Tobin for Cronin; D. Carroll for O’Leary; S. Boyce for Whelan.

Referee: N. Barrett (Carrigtwohill).