Munster joy for dogged Rochestown

ROCHESTOWN COLLEGE claimed the Munster Colleges U16BFC title yesterday after they defeated Tralee’s Mercy Mounthawk in a thrilling Corn na gColaisti final at Knocknagree yesterday.

Goals from Cathal Cormac, Gary Hartnett and Mark Dolan proved the difference in this entertaining decider. Though the plaudits for the win may rest with the goalscorers, inspirational performances from centre-back Alan O’Donovan, midfielder Andrew Murphy and wing forward Olan Allen proved crucial to the outcome.

Tralee midfielder Jack Barry and full forward Cillian Fitzgerald impressed but ultimately the Kerry side came up short.

Mounthawk led 1-5 to 1-3 at the break with Fitzgerald and goalscorer Cian Hussey shining in the perfect conditions.

However three second-half frees from Hanley coupled with goals from Dolan and Hartnett ultimately turned the tie for the Cork side.

Scorers for Rochestown: C Cormac, G Hartnett 1-1 each, M Dolan 1-0, O Hanley 0-3 (all frees), S McDonald, A O’Donovan 0-1.

Scorers for Mount Hawk Tralee: C Fitzgerald 0-8 (five frees); C Hussey 1-1; J Barry (one free), E Courtney 0-1.

ROCHESTOWN COLLEGE: G Connelly; D Barrett, E O’Connor, D Kirk; M Fielding, A O’Donovan, K Flahive; A Murphy, S McDonald; O Hanley, C Cormac, K Dodgins; M Dolan, G Hartnett, C O’Brien.

Subs: C Clancy for M Fielding (ht), A Ward for C O’Brien (58)

MOUNTHAWK TRALEE: Kevin O’Connor; Conor Moore, Colin Kirby, D Sheehan; F Horgan, J Courtney, P McMahaon; J Barry, K Shanahan; C Sayers, K Brick, E Courtney; J O’Sullivan, C Fitzgerald, C Hussey. Sub: E O’Carroll for K Brick (35).

Referee: Mick Meade (Ballylanders).