Powerful Dingle too classy for Clonmel

TERRIFIC stuff from Pobal Scoil Chorcha Dhuibhne and Clonmel CBS at Glin, Co Limerick yesterday, with the boys from the Kerry and Tipperary football strongholds producing a wholehearted battle all through.

In the end it as Dingle’s superior goal power that earned them their first Corn na Banndan (Munster Colleges U-15 FC) title.

For Tomás Ó Caomhánaigh, this was a final he will long remember, as the big midfielder was a colossus for Dingle. Considering he was up against another fine talent in Clonmel midfielder Bill Maher, his display was even more awesome. But he got great assistance from centre-back and captain Colm Ó Gealbháin and full-forward Maitiú Seán Ó Griffín, particularly in the opening–half.

Despite playing against the stiff breeze, Dingle opened with quick points from Ó Caomhánaigh and Maitiú Seán Ó Griffín and it could have been even better had Ó Chaomhánaigh not blasted a good effort just wide of the upright.

Owen Fitzgerald, Clonmel’s top marksman with seven points, got one back with a free, but Ó Gealbháin, Ó Caomhánaigh and Ó Griffín at full-forward had Clonmel on the run.

It was no surprise then when Dingle struck for their first goal in the 12th minute, Shane Ó Griffín putting Ó Caomhánaigh clear and he made no mistake after a powerful run.

John Kehoe missed a sitter for Clonmel soon afterwards. but Dingle were in control and well worth their 1-2 to 0-1 lead after the opening quarter.

Ó Caomhánaigh turned provider for Maitiú Seán Ó Griffín’s second Dingle goal in the 17th minute and at that stage Clonmel looked out of their depth. But with the excellent Maher and Kevin Larkin standing up to Dingle, Clonmel began to rattle the Kerry boys, who led 2-3 to 0-3 at the break.

Dingle started the second half as they did the first, and after Séamus Ó Diompsaigh and Ó Caomhánaigh missed easy free chances they were in for goal number three in the 34h minute, Ó Flannúra and Maitiú Seán Ó Griffín combining to set up Ó Caomhánaigh.

But Clonmel responded and with Maher and Conor Davin-Murphy upping the ante they came at Dingle hard, the boot of Fitzgerald keeping his side in the contest as they trailed 3-4 to 0-6 entering the final quarter.

It got even better for Clonmel in the 47th minute, when the Dingle defence failed to clear Davin-Murphy’s delivery and John Kehoe touched in the rebound. The outstanding Maher added a point and suddenly Dingle’s lead was cut to three points with 10 minutes left.

But then the killer blow — goal number four from Shane Ó Griffín in the 52nd minute. No way back for Clonmel now, but they had been playing second fiddle to the more physical Dingle side all through.

Scorers for Pobal Scoil Chorcha Dhuibhne: T. Ó Caomhánaigh 2-1, MS. Ó Griffín 1-1, S. Ó Griffín 1-0, S. Ó Diompsaigh 0-2 (0-1 free, 0-1 65), M. Ó Flannúra 0-1.

Scorers for Clonmel CBS: O. Fitzgerald 0-7 (0-6 frees), J. Kehoe 1-0, B. Maher 0-2, S. O’Connell 0-1.

PS CORCHA DHUIBHNE: C. MacGearailt; S Ó Greacháin, N Ó hUallacháin, P. Ó Sé; M. Ó Ceallacháin, C. Ó Gealbháin, S. Ó Conaill; T. Ó Chaomhánaigh, S Ó Diompsaigh; S. Ó Griffín, Mikey Ó Flannúra, D. MacCarthaigh; Ml Ó Flannúra, MS Ó Griffín, S Ó Beoláin.

Sub: E Ó Mhuircheartaigh for Ó Flannúra.

CLONMEL CBS: C. O’Sullivan; A. Maguire, B. Walsh, P. Noonan; D. Mulcahy, K. Larkin, M. McCullough; B. Maher, L. Whelan; C. Davin-Murphy, K. Gunn, S. O’Loughlin; J. Kehoe, D. Devanney, O. Fitzgerald.

Subs: J. Jones for Devanney, S. O’Connell for Kehoe.

Referee: T. Enright (Abbeyfeale).