Late Miskella and Murphy scores ignite Coláiste Choilm's Corn Uí Mhuirí campaign 

The Ballincollig school won the second half by double scores, 0-8 to 0-4 to bounce back from that heavy defeat to The Sem in round one.

Coláiste Choilm's Danny Miskella, in action for his club Ballincollig. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Corn Ui Mhuirí: Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig 0-10 St. Flannan’s College 0-08  

A brace of late scores from the highly impressive Sean Murphy and Danny Miskella proved the difference, as Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig ignited their Corn Uí Mhuirí campaign.

Eventually out muscling the gallant effort of St. Flannan’s College, the Cork side won the second half by double scores, 0-8 to 0-4 to bounce back from that heavy defeat to The Sem in round one. The Ennis school are out, ahead of a meeting with the Kerry side, having already fallen to Rochestown in round one.

An intriguing battle between Ballincollig and Rochestown will decide who will continue into the knockout stages.

Once the fog cleared in Ballyagran, just in time for throw-in, these two sides largely went about cancelling each other out. But not in a overly negative way. 

There was plenty of kicking, many risks taken but it was an afternoon where goalkeepers, defenders and everybody else contributed healthily to the defensive work on show.

St. Flannan’s will rue letting something slip from this game. In total, they led for nearly two-thirds of this contest but were unable to find a way out on a couple of occasions and Ballincollig punished them ruthlessly on the kickout turnover.

While Murphy and Miskella kicked the late points, high marks too for Darragh Clifford who turned in a superb display at midfield, while Kevin O’Leary will be happy with his innings at centre-back.

For the Clare side, they had bright lights in Marco Cleary, Conor Daly and midfielder, Joseph Casey. However, a number of wasted chances, especially in the second half, significantly hurt their chances.

It was a first half of few scores, but decent pace. St. Flannan’s held the upper hand and led 0-4 to 0-2 at the change of ends. They had a fine early score from Cathal Casey, cancelled out by Clifford before Joe Casey and a Marco Cleary mark opened up the first two point advantage.

When Ballincollig did attack, Gary Brennan’s Flannan's outfit admirably left three in attack, perhaps an early glimpse as to what football will look like in the near future.

Adam Dodd of Canovee did well to find the space to shoot over a second for the winners but Harry Doherty quickly replied with a converted free. There was no score in the final ten minutes of the half.

Miskella opened his account seconds after the resumption, a free, and he showed plenty of quality in that department as the half wore on. Indeed, the sides were level by 38 minutes, when Charlie Murphy and Miskella landed a quickfire double, after Eoin Kennedy scored for Flannans.

He settled for the point but it took a fine Nathan Tait save to deny Doherty a green flag after he turned when fetching a superb Joseph Casey delivery.

A turning point perhaps but Ballincollig were not as guilty of conceding cheap possession as the half wore on, instead, the found accurate passes which led to scores. Having seen Doherty and then Dara Kennedy re-open a two point lead, Ballincollig moved ahead.

Three points in as many minutes gave them their first advantage of the clash, with Miskella superb from placed balls, while Colm Herlihy showed decent composure off a turnover in between.

Doherty nailed a free from 40 meters to ensure parity for a fourth and final time, leaving the final say to a surging Murphy before Miskella expertly curled over – cue the fist pump to go with the victory.

Overall, Denis Keohane will be thrilled with the fight shown by his students. They live to fight another day.

Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig: D Miskella 0-5 (0-3 frees); D Clifford, A Dodd, C Murphy, C Herlihy, S Murphy 0-1 each.

Scorers for St. Flannan’s College: H Doherty 0-3 (frees); C Casey, J Casey, M Cleary (mark), E Kennedy, D Kennedy 0-1 each.

Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig (Ballincollig unless stated): N Tait; S O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), P Rose, C Power; C Herlihy (Inniscara), K O’Leary, E Donovan; S P Murphy (Éire Óg), D Clifford (Éire Óg); S R O’Sullivan , D Miskella, C Ahern; C O’Connor, C Murphy, A Dodd (Canovee).

Sub: B Cronin (Ballincollig) for Dodd (53).

St. Flannan’s College: S Hennessy (Éire Óg, Ennis); D Killoughrey (Clondegad), C Hill (Lissycasey), C Casey (Lissycasey); C Ralph (Clarecastle), D Boyle (St. Joesph’s Doora-Barefield) C Daly (St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield); J Hegarty (Inagh Kilnamona), J Casey (Ennistymon); D Kennedy (Clondegad), R Kilroy (The Banner), D Ball (St. Joesph’s Doora-Barefield); M Cleary (Éire Óg, Ennis), H Doherty (Clarecastle), E Kennedy (Clondegad).

Referee: John O’Halloran (Bruree, Limerick).