Coláiste Na Sceilge keep it in the family

Coláiste Na Sceilge 1-9 St Mary's College, Edenderry 0-10

A 62nd minute goal from Éanna O'Connor, son of Kerry manager Jack O'Connor, ensured Coláiste na Sceilge claimed their first Hogan Cup title at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise this afternoon.

O’Connor top-scored with 1-2 for the Cahirciveen outfit who left a disappointing first-half display behind them to claim silverware.

Coláiste na Sceilge misfired on nine occasions in the opening half and only had a point to show for their first-half efforts as St Mary’s began strongly.

A fired up St Mary’s excelled in the opening quarter and led by 0-3 to 0-0 midway through the opening half, thanks to a brace of Sean Hurley frees and a score from Offaly minor Anton Sullivan.

It took the Cahirciveen outfit 25 minutes to open their account when O’Connor accounted for their lone first half point as Mary’s held a five-point interval lead.

However, quick-fire scores from Damien Kelly, O’Connor and Ian Galvin cut the deficit to two points within six minutes of the restart.

With firm dominance of possession at this stage, Coláiste na Sceilge were unlucky not to break in front for the first time. A 38th minute goal chance from full-forward O’Connor was stopped on the edge of the square by St Mary’s full-back Mark Young.

Edenderry gained great confidence from Young’s block as they immediately launched an attack from his clearance, with midfielder Paul Cribbin taking his second point at the opposite end to break three points in front.

However, a lively Coláiste na Sceilge rallied well with points from Kelly and corner-forward Niall O’Shea to cut the gap to the minimum by the 41st minute.

Defences suddenly got on top but a further score from O’Shea levelled the tie with 10 minutes remaining.

Scores from Sean Hurley and Shane Forde saw Edenderry break two points clear with two minutes remaining, but Coláiste na Sceilge rallied to steal victory at the death, with O’Connor delivering the sucker punch.

Coláiste Na Sceilge: D Horgan; Stephen O’Sullivan, M Griffin, N Fitzgerald; Shane O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, I Casey; M Thiemann, G Gibson; I Galvin (0-1), D Kelly (0-2), D Daly; S O’Dwyer (0-2), E O’Connor (1-2, 1f), N O’Shea (0-2). Sub: B O’Dwyer for Stephen O’Sullivan (49).

St Mary's College, Edenderry: S Geoghegan; C Grehan, M Young, D Holton; B Kenny, D Kelly, J Kavanagh; P Cribbin (0-2), S Guing; S Forde (0-1), A Sullivan (0-2), S Cullen (0-1); B O’Flaherty, S Hurley (0-4, 3f), P Farrell. Subs: L Pender for Sullivan (BS 10-13mins); L Pender for Kenny (40).

Referee: Pat McGovern (Galway).