Hat-trick from Cantwell fires Rochestown past Clon in Corn Uí Mhuirí cracker

An Adam Cantwell hat-trick decorated fuelled Rochestown’s march to the Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster Post-Primary Schools Senior Football Championship) semi-finals on the Páirc Uí Chaoimh 4G pitch yesterday.

[team1]St Francis College[/team1][score1]4-11[/score1][team2]Clonakilty Comm College [/team2][score2]2-13[/score2][/score]

(after extra-time)

An Adam Cantwell hat-trick decorated St Francis, Rochestown’s march to the Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster PPS SFC) semi-finals on the Páirc Uí Chaoimh 4G pitch yesterday.

The midfielder tucked away a well-taken goal, sandwiched by a couple of expertly-struck penalties, as Rochestown set up a meeting with competition favourites, St Brendan’s of Killarney.

Cantwell completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute of an epic extra-time contest, which swung one way and then the other before time finally caught up with a gallant Clonakilty side, minus who were without Cork minor midfielder Jack Lawton due to a hamstring injury.

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Rochestown looked to be hanging on for victory until Padraic Cullinane levelled matters with a point into the wind, five minutes into injury time at the end of normal time.

The West Cork school had earlier led 1-6 to 0-5 approaching the end of the first half, following a fine Darragh Holland goal, but their opponents finished strongly.

Cantwell converted his first penalty after a foot block on Aaron Sheehy to reduce the margin to 1-6 to 1-4 at the break.

Cantwell grabbed his second goal after 34 minutes as Rochestown swept 2-7 to 1-7 in front entering the closing quarter.

But they couldn’t score again, missing opportunities to make the game safe, and Clonakilty punished them, 2-7 to 1-10, forcing extra time.

Substitute Harry Andrews finished well for Rochestown’s third goal in the second minute, but there was still only a point between the sides, 3-8 to 1-12, heading into the second period of extra time.

Three quickfire points, including two from Mark Harrington, nudged Rochestown four in front, only for Adam Harte to hit a screamer for Clon’s second goal after 76 minutes.

The influential Alan O’Hare was pulled down for the second penalty, Cantwell scoring confidently, to finally break Clon’s resistance.

Scorers for Rochestown: A Cantwell (3-0, 2-0 pens), A Sheehy (0-4, 1f), A O’Hare (0-3, 2f), H Andrews (1-0), M Harrington (0-2), A Connolly and R Timon (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clonakilty CC: R O’Donovan (0-5, 2f), D Harte (1-1), D Holland (1-0), P Cullinane (0-3), 2f, JP Eady (0-2), A McSweeney and A Hunt (0-1 each).

ST FRANCIS COLLEGE: C O’Leary (Douglas); M Harrington (Nemo Rangers), B McCarthy (Douglas), S Cummins (Cobh); P O’Halloran (Ballygarvan), N O’Connell (Cobh), S Andrews (Shamrocks), captain; A Cantwell (Douglas), S Aherne (do); S Fenton (Ballygarvan), A Connolly (St Michael’s), A O’Hare (Douglas); A Sheehy (do), S Harrington (Passage), R O’Halloran (Ballygarvan).

Subs: H Andrews (Shamrocks) for O’Halloran and C Donlon (Douglas) for S Harrington 60+2, R Timon (Nemo Rangers) for Connolly (extra-time), S Brady (Ballygarvan) for S Andrews injured 65, S Harrington for Fenton injured 79

CLONAKILTY CC: C O’Donovan (Owen Gaels); C Dineen (Ibane Gaels), D Peet (Clonakilty), F Walsh (Ibane Gaels); D Holland (do), A Guinevan (do), D Harte (Owen Gaels); B White (Clonakilty), captain, J O’Regan (Carbery Rangers); S Walsh (Ibane Gaels), R O’Donovan (do), P Cullinane (Owen Gaels); C Cullinane (do), JP Eady (Carbery Rangers), A McSweeney (Ibane Gaels).

Subs: C Daly (Clonakilty) for McSweeney half-time, A Hunt (Clonakilty) for O’Regan 45, J Lynam (Owen Gaels) for White 51, White for C Cullinane 60, R O’Brien (Owen Gaels) for Dineen 64

Referee: J Hayes (Limerick).