Impenetrable defence and Whelton masterclass fireClonakilty CC to Simcox title

Seán Whelton scored 11 points for Clonakilty Community College including three two pointers

Clonakilty community college captain Seán Whelton raises the trophy after defeating Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig in the Cork Colleges Simcox Cup final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Simcox Cup final: Clonakilty Community College 0-17 (0-3-11) Coláiste Choilm 0-11 (0-2-7) 

It just gets sweeter and sweeter for Clonakilty Community College.

A Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-final to look forward to, and a Simcox Cup title secured with victory at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh over Coláiste Choilm.

Winning captain Seán Whelton referenced the venue in his speech, and just how special it was for the players to play the decider at the Páirc.

But if there was any man on the pitch who stood up to the task that is the Páirc, it was Whelton.

The St James’ clubman kicked 0-11 including three orange flags, as the west Cork school built up a commanding seven-point lead at the break that Coláiste Choilm could not come back from.

Having played the first half against the stiff breeze, the fact the Ballincollig school trimmed the deficit down to four within five minutes of the second half warned Clon this one may not be so straightforward. But by the 40th minute, Clon’s lead had returned to five after Whelton frees kept them in control, 0-12 to 0-7.

When Miskellas Danny and Joe shared 0-3 for Coláiste Choilm over the next five minutes – including a second stunning two-pointer from Joe – the margin sat at three with 14 minutes to play. Enter Tom Whooley and Whelton.

By the 55th minute Clon had pushed their lead out to three again, and it was clear that gap wouldn’t be closed without a major. Sub Cathal Murphy was first to go for it, his effort saved twice, first by Callum Collins and then goalkeeper Rory Twohig, before going over the bar. After Whelton pushed Clon’s lead back out to six, Danny Miskella had three goal attempts in the closing minutes repelled by Twohig.

Clon had been impenetrable all evening, from the 15th second. Danny Miskella’s driving run and shot at goal was kept out by Twohig within seconds of throw-in, and though he would be tested again 10 minutes later – this time from Kevin O’Leary – the outcome was the same. No way through for Coláiste Choilm.

At that stage the score was 0-3 to 0-1 in favour of Clon – after Whelton kicked his first of three first-half two-pointers in the 11th minute, James Maguire teeing him up for the first long-ranger that powered Clon ahead.

He landed his next one from a free in the 20th minute, and while Colm Herlihy set up Danny Miskella for a white flag in response, Tom Whooley answered seconds later before Whelton landed another beauty, pushing the Clon lead out to seven, 0-8 to 0-2 after 24 minutes.

With Clon continuing to dominate possession and the opportunities in front of goal, Luke O’Mahony’s 27th minute point was a desperately needed one for Coláiste Choilm, but Conrad Murphy worked a neat pass to Whooley to give Clon the last score of the half and put them in a commanding seven-point lead.

They would face a flicker of danger, but anything Coláiste Choilm threw up, Clon had the answer for.

Scorers for Clonakilty Community College: S Whelton 0-11 (2 tp, 0-4 f, 1 tpf), T Whooley 0-3, D Harrington, J Murray, E Hicks 0-1 each.

Scorers for Coláiste Choilm: J Miskella 0-4 (2 tp), D Miskella 0-3 (0-2 f), L O’Mahony 0-2, C Murphy, SP Murphy 0-1 each.

CLONAKILTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE: R Twohig (Kilmeen); O Harrington (Kilmeen), H O’Donovan (Kilmeen), T Bailey (Kilmeen); J O’Leary (Ballinascarty), D Harrington (Clonakilty), O Murphy (Kilmeen); M Collins (Ibane Gaels), J Maguire (Castlehaven); D Harte (Clonakilty), S Whelton (St James) (c), J Murray (Kilmeen); T Whooley (Clonakilty), C Murphy (Ibane Gaels), E Hicks (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: J Byerley (Clonakilty) for Hicks (51), C Collins (Ibane Gaels) for D Harrington (53), J Collins (Ibane Gaels) for Murphy (57 inj), A McCarthy (Ballinascarthy) for Maguire (58), R O’Donovan (Ibane Gaels) for Whelton (60+1).

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) (c), B Cronin (Ballincollig); M Delaney (Ballincollig), C Ahern (Ballincollig), SP Murphy (Éire Óg); D Miskella (Ballincollig), L O’Mahony (Ballincollig), J Miskella (Ballincollig).

Subs: R Coakley (Éire Óg) for Delaney (45), C Murphy (Éire Óg) for Herlihy (53).

Referee: B Coniry (Crosshaven)