Hamilton HS Bandon hold off Sibbereen CS to claim first Simcox Cup title

CHAMPIONS@ Hamilton High School, captained by Jack Cullinane, celebrate their first win in the Simcox Cup Gaelic football competition. Pic Larry Cummins

Simcox Cup final: Hamilton High School Bandon 0-11 Skibbereen Community School 1-6

Hamilton High School Bandon were saved by the woodwork as they claimed their first Simcox Cup (Cork PPS SAFC) in an all west Cork final played under the old rules at Páirc Uí Rinn on Tuesday evening.

In a dramatic finish, Skibbereen Community School almost snatched victory when an effort from Adam O’Donovan came back off the post in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

It was a stellar performance from the Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-finalists who lost to eventual winners Mercy Mounthawk two months ago.

They were quicker to get going.

With just 19 seconds on the clock captain Jack Cullinane set up Kevin Hannon for the opening white flag.

Charlie Twomey sent over a point in the sixth minute as their scoring trend continued with Eoin Maguire - up against a number of his Castlehaven club mates - landing a free.

A neat sideline ball from Oisín McCarthy directly to Humphrey Canty kept the scores coming.

When Maguire capitalised on a stray kick-out, Hamilton High School were five points to nil ahead.

Skibbereen Community School, appearing in a third final in four seasons, missed a couple of dead ball opportunities before Sean Connolly got them off the mark in the 17th minute.

A second close-in free from Connolly followed after the referee brought the ball forward for dissent.

A big score then arrived when Connolly slotted a penalty low to the left corner following a foul on Danny O’Donovan, the teams level with five minutes to go to the break.

Hamilton High School’s inaccuracy was a factor as Connolly - who registered all of Skibbereen’s first-half flags - slotted another free.

In stoppage, McCarthy levelled the game for the second time, 1-3 to 0-6.

McCarthy continued on the frees after the break and pushed his side two in front.

Maguire found himself in a good position near goal but a brilliant block by William O’Donovan denied him.

As the ball was worked up field Daniel Cleary worked a score for Skibbereen CS in the 40th minute, 0-8 to 1-4.

Hamilton HS introduced regular midfielder Oisín Gillain (back from injury) and Dara Walsh at the three-quarter mark, just before McCarthy increased the advantage to three from a pair of placed balls.

A black card issued to McCarthy in the 51st minute put Hamilton HS under a bit of pressure and when Connolly added points from free and play it left just one between them.

Skibbereen CS then lost a player to a red card when Ryan McCarthy was sent off in the 61st minute.

But with the game up for grabs, it was Luke Casey who came forward to kick a huge point in the 65th minute.

Two is a dangerous lead. But Hammies survived.

Scorers for Hamilton HS: O McCarthy (0-5 frees), E Maguire (0-2, 0-1 free), K Hannon, H Canty, L Casey and C Twomey (0-1 each).

Scorers for Skibbereen CS: S Connolly (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-4 frees), D Cleary (0-1).

HAMILTON HS: B Curtin (Valley Rovers); B Coffey (Clonakilty), N Daly (Valley Rovers), R Tarrant (Bandon); H Flanagan (Newcestown), J Cullinane (Bandon, Capt), L Casey (Valley Rovers); D Coughlan (Bandon) S Coffey (Clonakilty); C Twomey (Argideen Rangers), O McCarthy (Valley Rovers), D Flynn (Argideen Rangers); H Canty (Newcestown), K Hannon (Bandon), E Maguire (Castlehaven).

Subs: O Gillain (Kilbrittain) for E Maguire (45), D Walsh (Argideen Rangers) for K Hannon (48), A Griffin (Kilbrittain) for D Flynn (54).

SKIBBEREEN CS: D Heaton Jones (O’Donovan Rossa); W O’Donovan (Castlehaven). J Goulding (O’Donovan Rossa), C Moloney (Castlehaven); N O’Callaghan (Castlehaven), F Hurley (O’Donovan Rossa, Capt), P Collins (Ilen Rovers); C French (Castlehaven), S Connolly (Ilen Rovers); R McCarthy (Castlehaven), A Fahy (Ilen Rovers), L O’Sullivan (O’Donovan Rossa); D McCarthy (Castlehaven), D Cleary (Castlehaven), D O’Donovan (Castlehaven).

Subs: C O’Brien (O’Donovan Rossa) for L O’Sullivan (54), A Dempsey (O’Donovan Rossa) for D Cleary (58), A O’Donovan (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh) for A Fahy (60).

Referee: Eoin Coleman (Youghal).