Tarbert pip Bantry in Munster final thriller

An injury-time pointed free by corner-forward Caolam Moriarty gave Tarbert victory

 

Munster Colleges SFC ‘C’ final: Tarbert Comprehensive 2-11 Colaiste Pobail Bantry 1-13  

An injury-time pointed free by corner-forward Caolam Moriarty eventually saw Tarbert Comprehensive crawl past the winning post, pipping a gallant Coláiste Pobail Bantry, in an enthralling Munster Colleges SFC ‘C’ final on Banteer’s 4G pitch.

Driven on relentlessly by outstanding centre-forward Dara Sheedy, who notched six points from play over the hour, the Cork school moved three clear after a dominant third quarter, but they paid the ultimate price for their overall shooting profligacy (eleven wides to four).

The North Kerry side, who struggled to gain a foothold in the second half around the middle of the park, resurrected their challenge with the game’s crucial score – their second goal in the 48th minute, made by Patrick O’Connor, and clinically dispatched by substitute Tadhg O’Connell (2-9 to 1-11).

Although Coláiste Pobail Bantry regained the initiative with white flags from first half goal-scorer Ben O’Sullivan, and star man Sheedy, Tarbert Comprehensive registered the last two scores to get their hands on the winning trophy – replacement Darragh Mullane and Moriarty (free) doing the damage.

The winners, with John Coolahan a consistent influence all through, finished with 13 players (O’Connell sin-binned, and David Mulvihill sent off on a second yellow card offence). Despite late Bantry pressure, they held out by the minimum of margins, Evan Curry picking up a second booking after the last whistle.

Scorers for Tarbert Comprehensive: J Moloney 1-1, T O’Connell 1-0, S Wren (0-1f), C Moriarty (fs), J Coolahan 0-2 each, B O’Leary, M Coolahan, E Curry (mk), D Mullane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Coláiste Pobail Bantry: D Sheedy 0-7 (0-1f), B O’Sullivan 1-2, C McElhinney 0-3 (0-1f), DJ O’Brien 0-1.

TARBERT COMPREHENSIVE: S Kearney (St Senans Foynes); C Buckley (Athea), S Stack (Tarbert), M Coolahan (Tarbert); J Kissane (Moyvane), D Mulvihill (Tarbert), F Mulvihill (Moyvane); P Finucane (Tarbert), B O’Leary (Tarbert); P O’Connor (Moyvane), E Curry (Athea), S Wren (Tarbert); C Moriarty (Tarbert), J Coolahan (Tarbert), J Moloney (Moyvane).

Subs: T O’Connell (Tarbert) for F Mulvihill (43), M Quinn (Moyvane) for Kissane (51), D Mullane (Gerald Griffins, Ballyhahill) for O’Leary (57).

COLÁISTE POBAIL BANTRY: E O’Donoghue (Bantry Blues); C Cronin (Bantry Blues), S Cronin (St Colums), P Russell (Bantry Blues); L Hourihan (St Colums), M O’Sullivan (Bantry Blues) S Collins (Caha Og); S Murnane (St Colums), L Salter-Townshend (Bantry Blues); C McElhinney (Caha Og), D Sheedy (Bantry Blues), C McCarthy (St Colums); K Kelleher (St Colums), B O’Sullivan (Caha Og), DJ O’Brien (St Colums).

Subs: F O’Donovan (Bantry Blues) for Kelleher (50), Oisín Murphy (Bantry Blues) for O’Brien (50).

Referee: T McGlinchey (Tipperary).