Slick-moving Críost Rí have too much power for Glanmire

NICE and methodical, sweet at times too, Cork kingpins Coláiste Críost Rí powered into the Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster Colleges SFC) semi-final with a smooth victory over Glanmire Community College at Carrigrohane yesterday.

However, their win came at a price in the testing conditions that made good football a big ask. After a delay of 15 minutes — Críost Rí were bailed out by set of Lough Rovers jerseys — they were dealt a bad blow in the 21st when influential wing forward Greg Browne sustained a bad back injury for which Glanmire centre-back Cillian Brosnan received a yellow card.

Play was held up for 25 minutes while an ambulance arrived, but when play did resume it must have been hard on the players who were hanging around in the cold biting rain.

Yet, despite both hold-ups, Críost Rí played some nice football, their movement at times top class, though their shooting often erratic. Steve Crowley, ever a threat for Glanmire CS at full-forward, did quickly open the scoring for his side, but once Críost Rí got moving they showed real menace.

Eoin Keane, superb around the middle of the park, then Brian Coughlan, followed by a terrific 45 conversion from Daniel Sweeney, after Glanmire keeper Gary Gray had made an equally superb save from Darren McCarthy, soon pointed them clear. And although Crowley had another Glanmire point, Críost Rí were well worth their 0-5 to 0-2 lead after the opening quarter.

Alan Cronin replaced Browne after his unfortunate injury but the setback didn’t prevent Críost Rí from motoring on. Shane Martin and Ian Leahy missed gilt-edged goal chances and, despite playing against the strong wind, the Capwell side’s half-time lead should have been far greater that the 0-6 to 0-3 scoreline.

A little reminder for Críost Rí on the resumption that Glanmire were in the game when Sean Crowley’s long shot deceived Críost Rí keeper Darren Farry for a goal that tied up the scores and suddenly it was game on. Two minutes later, however, Cronin, now in the corner, goaled for Críost Rí and from that point on Glanmire were always chasing the game despite some fine work by Mossy Carroll and Shane Lotty, who played well when he came on as a sub, scoring two points. Leading 1-9 to 1-4 entering the final quarter Críost Rí struck for their second goal in the 51st minute, Shane Martin first shaking the crossbar before Leahy fired home the rebound. And they had a third in the 56th minute when Cork minor hurling goalkeeper Darren McCarthy’s long shot dropped over keeper Gray into the net.

Steve Crowley did get a late consolation Glanmire goal, getting on the end of an inviting Carroll free, but Críost Rí were always the masters and now face a semi-final tilt with either St Brendan’s, Killarney or Coláiste Choilm.

Scorers: Críost Rí: I. Leahy (0-1 free), D. McCarthy (0-1 free) 1-1 each, A. Cronin 1-0, E. Keane 0-3 (0-1 free), D. Sweeney 0-2 (0-1 45), B. Coughlan, G. Browne, P. O’Sullivan 0-1 each. Glanmire CS: Steve Crowley 1-2, Sean Crowley 1-0, M. Hickey (frees), S. Lotty 0-2 each.

COLÁISTE CHRÍOST RÍ: D. Farry; K. Punch, A. Hickey, S. Sheehan; T. Hayes, D. Twomey, G. O’Connor; E. Keane, B. Coughlan; S. Martin, D. Sweeney, G. Browne; C. Martin, D. McCarthy, I. Leahy.

Subs: A. Cronin for Browne (inj 21m), P. O’Sullivan for C. Martin (ht), J. Dwyer for Coughlan (55m).

GLANMIRE CC: G. Gray; S. Corbett, C. Gaffney, A. Power; P. O’Callaghan, C. Brosnan, J. Sheehan; M. Hickey, M. Carroll; I. O’Mahony, S. Crowley, C. Murphy; D. Roche, S. Crowley, G. O’Kelly-Lynch.

Sub: S. Lotty for (O’Mahony) (40m).

Referee: J. Dorgan (Nemo Rangres).