Árdscoil Rís show cup credentials
Fielding eight of last year’s Munster championship winning team, the Limerick men’s physical presence allied to their superb stick work had Colman’s struggling for long spells.
The Fermoy side started brightly with midfielder Mike Spillane firing them to a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes and they would have been further ahead had Jason Mannix not shot into the side netting after rounding the goalkeeper.
Their defence coped well with the towering figures of Brendan O’Connor and Shane Dowling and when David Mangan pointed from a line ball, St Colman’s were 0-7 to 0-4 ahead after 20 minutes.
However, as the tie progressed Árdscoil began to get a grip in defence with Declan Hannon and Martin Moroney to the fore. Shane Dowling goaled from a 20-metre free to put them ahead 1-8 to 0-8 by the break and another by Óisin Hickey after a 50-metre run had them firmly in the driving seat as they led 2-13 to 0-13 at the three-quarters stage.
Colman’s narrowed the gap with a 48th-minute goal when Mannix first timed Mike Spillane’s cross to the net, but they failed to build on that score as Carmody continued to fire over points.
The Cork side kept battling and were rewarded with a second goal by Mike Spillane from a 20-metre free, but it only served to put a more respectable look on the scoreboard.
The win guarantees Árdscoil a place in the last eight, while St. Colman’s must beat Waterford Colleges to join them in the knockout phase.
Scorers for Árdscoil Rís: M. Carmody 0-7; S. Dowling 1-2 (1-0 free); O. Hickey 1-1; J. Kelleher, B. O’Connor, J. Fitzgibbon 0-2 each; D. Hannon, , D. Moloney, J. Shanahan 0-1 each.
Scorers for St. Colman’s: M. Spillane 1-9 (1-6 frees); J. Mannix 1-1; M. Pyne, D. Mangan (free), C. Spillane, P. Roche 0-1 each.
ÁRDSCOIL RÍS: PJ Wall; A. Dempsey, B. O’Connell, F. Carey; K. Lynch, D. Hannon, M. Moroney; J. Shanahan, M. Ryan; M. Carmody, S. Dowling, B. O’Connor; J. Kelleher, J. Fitzgibbon, O. Hickey.
Subs: D. Moloney for Ryan (40); J. Hannon for Carey (50); C. Keogh for O’Connor (55); K. O’Brien for Kelleher (57); D. Sheppard for Dempsey (60).
ST. COLMAN’S: E. Barry; W. Walsh, C. O’Leary, C. Barry; P. Roche, D. O’Carroll, K. Morrison; M. Spillane, E. Maye; D. Mangan, C. Spillane, M. Wade; N. McNamara, M. Pyne, J. Mannix.
Subs: E. O’Neill for Morrison (45); P. de Roiste for Pyne (55); J. Hogan for Wade (57); E. Lonergan for Maye (60).
Referee: F. Horgan (Tipperary).
