Cool Galvin fires Sceilge past gutsy Críost Rí

ALL that is good about Gaelic football was served up by these two schools in a thrilling Corn Uí Mhuirí first round at the Legion Ground, Killarney yesterday.

It was a typical Cork/Kerry clash, superbly refereed by former Cork minor goalkeeper Paul Hayes, but he was helped in no small way by both teams whose only interest was playing football. Others please take note.

Críost Rí can consider themselves a trifle unlucky not to have forced a draw, but magnificent midfielder David Coughlan was only inches wide for the equalising point in added time.

The Kerry school had some outstanding players on view. Dominic O’Sullivan, younger brother of county senior Darren, was superb at centre back while Damien Kelly led their attack well. However it was Ian Galvin at right corner forward who did all the damage, finishing the game with 2-2. Niall O’Shea and Eanna O’Connor were other forwards to trouble the Cork defence all afternoon.

Coláiste na Sceilge served notice of their intentions early in the game. With Ian Galvin giving his marker the run around, they stormed into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead after three minutes, Galvin scoring the goal after a great run.

Críost Rí switched their corner backs after 10 minutes and both Alan Cronin and Kevin Harte benefited. The dominance of David Coughlan and Philip O’Sullivan gave the Capwell school control at midfield but they continued to struggle in defence, where Galvin and Niall O’Shea were most troublesome.

Galvin might have had a second goal after another tremendous run but Alan Cronin managed to shoulder him out over the end line for a wide. Críost Rí recovered well from the early Kerry scores, and with Philip O’Sullivan and David Coughlan well on top at midfield, only a goal separated the sides at the end of the opening quarter.

However the Cork side struggled in defence and Niall O’Shea was only inches wide for a goal which might have put the game beyond Críost Ri.

As it was the half time deficit of four points, 1-6 to 0-5, looked daunting but Críost Rí struck for a goal just two minutes after the resumption when a long ball in by David Coughlan wasn’t cleared and Philip O’Sullivan found the roof of the net.

As play swung from end to end the sides were level twice before Coláiste na Sceilge again exposed the Críost Rí defence with a great move for Ian Galvin to slide the football home for his second goal and they were expected to drive on from here.

However Críost Rí weren’t quite ready to roll over and with O’Sullivan and Coughlan powering forward from midfield they pinned their opponents back in their own half, as Joe Fitzpatrick and Kieran Murphy began to cause problems.

Fifty minutes in and a Philip O’Sullivan point had the deficit down to two, but Eanna O’Connor converted a 45 for a superb point and with five minutes to go, they were looking good for their first win in the competition.

Again Críost Ri wouldn’t give up and picked off two points to leave the minimum between the teams entering injury time. Coláiste na Sceilge were hanging on but Coughlan’s effort was inches wide and the winners were glad to hear the final whistle.

Scorers for Coláiste na Sceilge: I. Galvin 2-2 (0-1 free); N. O’Shea 0-4; E. O’Connor 0-3 (0-1 45).

Críost Ri: P. O’Sullivan 1-5 (0-2 frees); K. Murphy 0-3; J. Fitzpatrick, C. Martin, B. Coughlan 0-1 each;

COLÁISTE na SCEILGE: J. Casey; S. O’Sullivan, M. Griffin, I. Casey; G. Gibson, D. O’Sullivan, J. O’Sullivan; M. Thiermann, S. O’Sullivan; C. Quirke, D. Kelly, M. O’Connor; I. Galvin, N. O’Shea, E. O’Connor.

Subs: D. Daly for Quirke (33); N. Fitzgerald for J. O’Sullivan (33); B. Dwyer for M. O’Connor (45).

CRIOST RÍ: K. Murphy; A. Cronin, S. Sheehan, K. Harte; D. Ward, J. Holland, D. O’Brien; B. Coughlan, P. O’Sullivan; F. Desmond, K. Murphy, C. Martin; J. Fitzpatrick, J. O’Mahoney, U. Duggan.

Subs: C. Holland for Harte (21); L. Connolly for O’Mahony (52); P. Cahill for Martin (57).

Referee: P. Hayes (Cork).