Back-to-back titles for Spioraid Naoimh after win over 14-man Clonakilty Community College

BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS: Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh captain Kevin Murphy and players celebrate after defeating Clonakilty Community College during the Cork Simcox Cup final at Páirc Uí Rinn. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh Bishopstown 2-10 

Clonakilty Community College 1-9 

Back-to-back Simcox Cup (Cork PPS SAFC) titles at Páirc Uí Rinn today for Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, the Bishopstown school holding off a strong challenge from 14-man Clonakilty Community College.

In a contest that came alive in a wonderful second half, the winners finished with a flourish scoring 1-3 unanswered in the final five minutes plus stoppage.

Leading by the minimum, they used all the know-how and experience gained from last year with nine of the 2023 victorious team starting, it was captain Kevin Murphy who found the net in the 63rd minute to apply the gloss.

It was another hard luck story for Clonakilty Community College, who were looking to atone for the 2022 defeat to Skibbereen CS, but they are a young team and have much to look forward to as 11 of their starters are eligible again next season.

With a selection of Cork U20 and minor footballers on both sides, Clonakilty CC went 0-7 to 0-4 up at the end of the third quarter.

But as their goalkeeper Donnacha Walsh was forced into a dramatic save, there was a key moment when Clonakilty CC lost defender Shane O’Regan to a red card for verbal abuse towards referee Brian Coniry six minutes into the second half.

A goal from Mark O’Brien changed the whole complexion after he was put through by Darragh O’Donovan to tie matters on 48 minutes.

The game ebbed and flowed until Clonakilty CC would gain the upper-hand once more when Darragh Gough whipped home a goal on 53 minutes following tremendous work along the end line by Olan O’Donovan.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, who fielded without prolific scorer Adam O’Sullivan as Cork are due to play Waterford tomorrow week in the Munster U20 hurling championship, trailed 1-9 to 1-7.

But their response was swift.

Darragh O’Donovan and the outstanding Gary Holland twice (0-5 overall) edged them one to the good.

Captain Murphy’s goal would be the insurance score.

In a slow start, the opening 15 minutes produced a point apiece from Sean Whelton and Kevin Werner. Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh would have been the more disappointed having recorded five wides and a chance of a green flag but Donnacha Walsh dealt with Neil Crowley’s shot.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh moved one ahead through Gary Holland, but they saw a second goal opportunity go amiss when midfielder Mark O’Brien set up defender Darragh O’Donovan but his shot rolled wide of the right post.

On an afternoon when scores were hard earned in that first half and Clonakilty CC were catching up on the wide tally, the west Cork side were doubly denied when captain Darragh Gough’s rasper came back off the crossbar and then ‘keeper Sean Cronin blocked the rebound from Timothy Cullinane.

Five minutes before the break Gough drew his side level, to leave the score following an extremely tight opening 30 minutes, 0-2 each.

Scorers for Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh: G Holland (0-5), K Murphy and M O’Brien (1-0 each), K Werner (0-2), D O’Donovan, N Crowley and T O’Keeffe (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clonakilty CC: D Gough (1-3), S Whelton (0-4, 0-1 free, 0-1 45), C Twohig and T Cullinane (0-1 each).

COLÁISTE AN SPIORAID NAOIMH: S Cronin (Bishopstown); C O’Sullivan (Inniscarra), M Ahern (St Finbarr’s), C Dineen (Inniscarra); O Foley (Bishopstown), M O’Brien (Ballinora), D O’Donovan (Bishopstown); K Murphy (Bishopstown, Capt), T O’Keeffe (St Finbarr’s); S Sheridan (Bishopstown), G Holland (Bishopstown), S Connolly (Inniscarra); K Werner (Ballinora), N Crowley (Bishopstown), B Cahill (Bishopstown).

Subs: J Brady (St Finbarr’s) for S Sheridan (half-time), C O’Donoghue (St Finbarr’s) for B Cahill (45), D O’Brien (Inniscarra) for N Crowley (55).

CLONAKILTY CC: D Walsh (Clonakilty); O Blackburn (Clonakilty), S O’Regan (Clonakilty), K Hennessy (Ibane Gaels); D Moloney (Ibane Gaels), E Cullinane (St Mary’s), M O’Donovan (Bandon); C Twohig (Kilmeen), D Kenneally (Clonakilty); O Harrington (Kilmeen), T Cullinane (Carbery Rangers), J Crowley (Ibane Gaels); D Gough (Clonakilty, Capt), O O’Donovan (Ibane Gaels), S Whelton (St James’).

Subs: M Murphy (Clonakilty) for J Crowley (34).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).