Corn Uí Mhuirí: St Brendan's College Killarney survive scare to defeat Coláiste Choilm

Coláiste Choilm, who lost centre-back Cian O’Connor to a second yellow for dissent, were unable to get the ball into a scoring position to generate an equalising opportunity late on.

BATTLE: Joe Miskella with possession for Colaiste Choilm. Pic: Larry Cummins.

St Brendan’s College, Killarney 1-12 Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig 2-8

St Brendan's College gave their TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí campaign the jump-start it needed at Bishopstown on Wednesday, but not without a test from Coláiste Choilm.

Trailing by six points early in the second half, the Ballincollig school battled back well, with a goal from Seán Murphy the catalyst for a revival as they drew level.

While they could never get ahead, they only trailed by a point following a nice Joe Miskella score but the two breaches in quick succession after that allowed Ben Kelliher to tap over frees for St Brendan’s on each occasion.

An excellent point by wing-back Colm Herlihy and a Miskella free left the minimum in it as the game moved into injury time but Coláiste Choilm, who lost centre-back Cian O’Connor to a second yellow late on for dissent, were unable to get the ball into a scoring position to generate an equalising opportunity.

Despite the setback, all is not lost for Coláiste Choilm - a win over Clonakilty CC in the last match in a fortnight would be enough for them to qualify for the knockout stages.

Having lost to Clon in their opener while Coláiste Choilm beat Skibbereen CS, St Brendan’s were under pressure coming into the game but they settled well.

Midfielder Kevin O'Leary in action for Colaiste Choilm. Pic: Larry Cummins

In the tenth minute, having won a turnover free, Bryan Walsh fed Joey McCarthy, whose superb pass picked out Liam O’Brien - he still had a lot to do but produced rasping shot to the top corner.

That made it 1-1 to 0-2 and while Coláiste Choilm’s immediate response was good - Cian Ahern with a mazy run leading to a goal after good work from Luke O’Mahony and Miskella - the Killarney school began to get on top.

Kerry minor star Kelliher might have had a goal but for a fine stop from Nathan Tait but he and O’Brien continued to keep scoreboard ticking over. While McCarthy was unlucky not to have a two-pointer - Tait touched the ball over and the old rule reducing such a score to one is in place for another month and a half - Kelliher did raise an orange flag coming up to half-time while Mark O’Connell also tested Tait in injury time. Brendan’s were good value for the 1-7 to 1-2 half-time lead.

The severity of the weather was shown by the fact that both teams reappeared in new jerseys for the second period but there seemed to be more of the same when McCarthy set up O’Brien on the restart to put Brendan’s six ahead. Coláiste Choilm showed good resolve, though.

With O’Connor and Kevin O’Leary strong around the middle, they got a foothold again and Ahern’s point was followed by a good move leading to a goal - Miskella setting up Cathal Murphy, whose shot was saved by Kacper Robak only for Seán Murphy to prod home the rebound.

Impressive sub Riain Coakley had them level, but Brendan’s settled again and Murphy was on hand to push them two clear once more. While Coláiste Choilm did their best to stay with them, it was to be St Brendan’s day.

Scorers for St Brendan’s College: L O’Brien (1-5, 2f), B Kelliher (0-6, 1 2pt, 3f), J McCarthy (0-1).

Scorers for Coláiste Choilm: C Ahern (1-3, 1 2pt, 1f), J Miskella (0-2, 1f), S Murphy (1-0), L O’Mahony, R Coakley, C Herlihy (0-1 each).

ST BRENDAN’S COLLEGE: K Robak (Dr Crokes); D McCarthy (Listry), Z Cronin (Kilcummin), J Nash (Dr Crokes); J Rudden (Glenflesk), B Walsh (Legion), J Aherne (Kilcummin); F Doyle (Fossa), M Kennelly (Fossa); F Blackwell (Legion), J McCarthy (Spa), M O’Connell (Dr Crokes); L O’Brien (Glenflesk), B Kelliher (Dr Crokes), J Henderson (Firies).

Subs: A Cremin (Firies) for Doyle (8, injured), B O’Connor (Legion) for Nash (42), J Dempsey (Milltown-Castlemaine) for Henderson (55), L Hennigan (Dr Crokes) for Blackwell (59).

COLÁISTE CHOILM: N Tait (Éire Óg); D Sheehan (Éire Óg), P Rose (Ballincollig), E O’Donovan (Ballincollig); C Herlihy (Inniscarra), C O’Connor (Ballincollig), A Rose (Ballincollig); K O’Leary (Ballincollig), B Cronin (Ballincollig); M Delaney (Ballincollig), C Ahern (Ballincollig), S Murphy (Éire Óg); C Murphy (Éire Óg), L O’Mahony (Ballincollig), J Miskella (Ballincollig).

Subs: R Coakley (Éire Óg) for Delaney (40), S Dineen (Ballinora) for C Murphy (51), A Kennedy (Ballinora) for O’Mahony (54).

Referee: C Dineen (Douglas).