Adam O'Sullivan missed final due to Cork U20's upcoming Munster championship

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh Bishopstown had to line out minus prolific scorer Adam O’Sullivan due to his involvement with the Cork U20 hurlers ahead of their Munster championship clash with Waterford next Friday (April 5).

CHAMPIONS: Denis Cronin presents the trophy Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh captain Kevin Murphy after defeating Clonakilty Community College during the Cork Simcox cup final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh Bishopstown 2-10 

Clonakilty Community College 1-9

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh Bishopstown put back-to-back Simcox Cup (Cork PPS SAFC) titles together at Páirc Uí Rinn on Thursday. Pushed to the wire by 14-man Clonakilty Community College, they were forced to dig deep.

Showing plenty of quality and a high work-rate, they emptied the tank.

An unanswered 1-3 in the closing five minutes plus stoppage - the green flag aptly raised by captain Kevin Murphy in the 63rd minute was the insurance score.

“We knew we had to dig in. Clonakilty have excellent forwards, I think our lads were overly conscious about that. And we went overly defensive with the extra man,” manager Anthony Seymour said afterwards.

“The experience from last year was huge, definitely at the end.

“I’m just delighted. But I’m also delighted for a few of our lads who missed the final last year due to being involved with Cork teams, we had eight missing. Out of that eight, there are five of them there today that played.” 

Staying with that topic, this time they had to line out minus prolific scorer Adam O’Sullivan due to his involvement with the Cork U20 hurlers ahead of their Munster championship clash with Waterford next Friday (April 5).

“I don’t know what to say really, it is not for me to comment,” Seymour added.

“I think when the lads can play, they should be allowed to play. Give them the confidence to play. Don’t leave them with anything in the background - you can play but…There should be no buts.

“Adam is after going through two years now of Simcox finals and he wasn’t able to play in either of them. He was on the line with us today, he stuck with us all the time.” 

Following a slow opening half and solid goalkeeping from Donnacha Walsh and Sean Cronin respectively (0-2 apiece), the game came alive after the break as the west Cork side hit the ground running, 0-7 to 0-4 in front at the end of the third quarter.

Prior to this, six minutes into the second half, defender Shane O’Regan received a straight red card for verbal abuse towards referee Brian Coniry. It was a decisive moment for Clonakilty CC.

A Mark O’Brien goal levelled matters in the 46th minute, the midfielder profiting from a Darragh O’Donovan pass. Neil Crowley shot them into the lead in the 50th minute, 1-6 to 0-8.

Clonakilty CC settled down again and with Olan O’Donovan doing the necessary approach work, captain Darragh Gough applied the finish for his side to regain the lead.

They led 1-9 to 1-7 with six minutes remaining.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh were able to find a way back.

Darragh O’Donovan pointed before the excellent Gary Holland (0-5) twice edged them in front.

Deep into the red, skipper Murphy capitalised on an errant ball, his superb finish the cherry on top.

It was another hard luck story for Diarmuid O’Donovan’s team, who were looking to atone for the narrow 2022 final defeat to Skibbereen CS, but they are a youthful side and have much to look forward to as 11 of their starters are eligible again next season.

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).