O'Callaghan Cup: CBC march past St Colman's to seal final spot despite final score confusion 

Eoghan O'Shea, CBC in action against Denis Fitzgerald, St Colman's College in the O'Callaghan Cup semi-final. Pic: Larry Cummins

Christian Brothers College 1-25 St Colman’s College Fermoy 2-20 

With three different final scores and a red card to go with it, Christian Brothers College defeated St Colman’s College Fermoy by two points in their O’Callaghan Cup semi-final.

CBC are through to the decider, where they’ll meet Gaelcholáiste Mhuire with a chance to avenge their Harty Cup defeat from earlier this month, but this was a victory wrapped in fog.

We counted the score as 1-24 to 2-21, which would have been a draw – the same score that St Colman’s had. 

CBC had themselves up one, 1-24 to 2-20, but weren’t certain on that, and with the scoreboard not in use at Páirc Uí Chaoimh’s 4G, it made the situation all the more complex for everyone in attendance.

Referee Cathal McAllister had it as 1-25 to 2-20, which stood as the final score.

It capped off a contest that was chaotic from the outset. The gate to the astro pitch remained locked until less than ten minutes before throw-in, forcing a delayed start, and once play finally got going, St Colman’s were first to settle.

With the wind, Fermoy asserted themselves in a commanding spell from the 11th to 24th minute, as they outscored their opponents 1-8 to 0-1 to lead 1-10 to 0-5. 

Their opening goal came from a Cormac Barry free, quickly taken to pick out clubmate Conor O’Riordan, and he fired home.

CBC clawed their way back into the contest through Eoghan O’Shea and Senan Brislane, before Cian O’Flynn’s searing run and finish – after he was set up by Brislane – brought them within touching distance, 1-12 to 1-8.

The half concluded with St Colman’s five clear, 1-13 to 1-8, but their grip on control loosened after the restart. CBC had worked that advantage down to three by the end of the third quarter, 1-17 to 1-14, before Fermoy hit their second major.

Amid an off-the-ball tussle, St Colman’s worked possession inside for Adam Lardner to pull to the net on 44 minutes. Moments later, that same skirmish reignited – James O’Mahony shown red as tensions boiled. 

Down to 14 though, CBC’s response was ferocious.

O’Shea, immaculate from frees, reeled off four on the spin, James Murray added another, and by the hour mark they were level for the first time since the opening quarter, 1-22 to 2-19.

Confusion followed. The referee signalled that Colman’s were a point down. Fermoy hit the next two – Cormac Barry from a free and Counihan, who was superb throughout – before Seán Hurley and Murray struck back for CBC in stoppage time. 

St Colman’s believed it was to force extra-time; instead, McAllister’s final tally declared a two-point win for CBC.

Scorers for CBC: E O’Shea 0-12 (0-7 f), C O’Flynn 1-2, J Murray 0-4, M Quill 0-2, J O’Mahony, S Hurley, S Brislane, D Riordan 0-1 each, AN Other 0-1.

Scorers for St Colman’s: C Barry (0-2 f), J Counihan 0-5 each, T McCarthy 0-4, A Lardner 1-1, C O’Riordan 1-0, R Donovan, D Fitzgerald 0-2 each, F O’Driscoll 0-1.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE: K Flood (Ballygarvan), J Costello (Clonakilty), D Riordan (Kilworth), D Kingston (Mallow) (c); C Burke (Glen Rovers), C Connolly (Glen Rovers), S Brislane (Inniscarra); J Murray (St Finbarr’s), M Quill (Blackrock); M O’Mahony (Bishopstown), E O’Shea (Ballinhassig), J O’Mahony (Glen Rovers); L Cregan (Douglas), S Hurley (Éire Óg), C O’Flynn (Blarney).

Subs: D Rowley (Blarney) for Cregan, D Holland (Inniscarra) for M O’Mahony (both 44), J Harrington (Ballincollig) for Brislane (50), R O’Callaghan (Glen Rovers) for Connolly (58).

ST COLMAN’S COLLEGE FERMOY: M O’Donovan (Ballyduff Upper); J Batterberry (Ballycastle Gaels), J Mullery (Fermoy), B Ryan (Watergrasshill) (c); D Barry (Watergrasshill), Cathal Barry (Bride Rovers), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers); F O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers), J Counihan (Watergrasshill); Cormac Barry (Bride Rovers), R Donovan (Fermoy), C O’Riordan (Bride Rovers); O Hegarty (Kilworth), T McCarthy (Watergrasshill), A Lardner (Castlelyons).

Subs: M Kenny (Bride Rovers) for Hegarty (37), J O’Keeffe (Fermoy) for O’Riordan (48 inj), J Hennebry (Watergrasshill) for O’Mahony (53), J Butterworth (Fermoy) for D Barry (58).

Referee: C McAllister (Aghada)