Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG retain Dr O’Callaghan Cup with narrow win over Christians

Callum Ó Cofaigh and captain Lúcás Ó Muirthile scored late points to secure the silverware.

LATE SURGE: Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG's Luke Hurley celebrates the last point against CBC. Pic: Eddie O'Hare.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG 1-19 Christian Brothers College 1-17 

Stoppage-time points from Callum Ó Cofaigh and captain Lúcás Ó Muirthile enabled Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG successfully defend their Dr O’Callaghan Cup crown (Cork PPS senior hurling) in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday night, the bragging rights secured after also taking the honours in their Dr Harty Cup group match last month.

CBC will regret their inaccuracy, but they also had to field minus Midleton players Cian Lawton and Max Murphy, who only came on in the fourth quarter due to the club’s involvement in the Cork U21A hurling championship 24 hours later.

Yet, it was a stern tests for the victors, who won the toss and elected to play with the wind, but the drizzle of rain that came with it made conditions that bit difficult.

Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin registered the opening point for the AG after Trevor Ó Bruadau was fouled from the throw-in.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG captain Lúcás Ó'Muirthile raises the trophy. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

James Murray levelled in the fifth minute. The AG found another two points to edge ahead.

In the 10th minute corner-forward Seán Hurley gave an impressive turn of speed to find the net for Christians to put them into the lead.

They managed to remain on the front foot when Eoghan O’Shea pointed following great work by Jack Hegarty - the white flag in reply to one from Ó Cofaigh.

The placed ball precision of Ó Ceallacháin helped the AG turn it around and open up an 0-8 to 1-3 advantage with five minutes to go to the interval. One of those points from Ó Cofaigh, goalkeeper Keith Flood superbly deflected over the bar.

O’Shea and Hurley points levelled the match for the fifth time, before the AG wing-back Seán J Ó Dálaigh put his side into a narrow lead, 0-9 to 1-5, at the interval - moments earlier the same player got a brilliant hook on an O’Shea goal-bound shot.

A fast start to the second half saw Flood having to save from Ó Cofaigh.

He couldn’t, however, prevent an angled shot by Josh Ó Brosnacháin in the 36th minute from 30 metres to the far corner of the net, 1-11 to 1-6.

By the three-quarter juncture, CBC had the deficit reduced to three, 1-13 to 1-10.

David Kingston averting another AG goal chance.

Crucially, the AG kept their noses in front until the hard-working Murray tied the game for the sixth time in the 56th minute.

There was deadlock twice more before the AG pulled away in stoppage time through Ó Cofaigh and Lúcás Ó Muirthile points.

Scorers for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG: G Ó Ceallacháin (0-8, 0-7 frees, 0-1 65), C Ó Suilleabháin (0-5, 0-1 free), J Ó Brosnacháin (1-0), C Ó Cofaigh (0-3), E Mac Eochán, S J Ó Dálaigh and L Ó Muirthile (0-1 each).

Scorers for Christian Brothers College: S Hurley (1-2), E O’Shea (0-3 frees) and J Murray (0-4 each), M Quill and C Connolly (0-2 each), C Lawton, B Hegarty and H Rafferty (0-1 each).

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AG: J Ó Gabhláin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna); N Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), R Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), G Ó Duibhir Ó hArracháin (Na Piarsaigh); S J Ó Dálaigh (Naomh Uinseann), J Ó Brosnacháin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh); J Ó Riain (An Blarna), T Ó Bruadau (Naomh Uinseann); E Mac Eochán (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), J Ó Cathaláin (Na Piarsaigh), G Ó Ceallacháin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), C Ó Suilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh, Capt), C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsiagh).

Subs: R Ó Buachalla (Fánaithe an Ghleanna) for J Ó Cathaláin (half-time), D De Barra (Dúbhghlas) for E Mac Eochán (51).

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE: K Flood (Ballygarvan); D Kingston (Mallow, J-Capt), D Riordan (Kilworth), J Costello (Clonakilty); C Burke (Glen Rovers), C Stack (Blackrock), M T Brosnan (Glen Rovers); C Connolly (Glen Rovers), J Murray (St Finbarr’s); A Maher (Sarsfields), E O’Shea (Ballinhassig), M Quill (Blackrock); S Hurley (Éire Óg), C O’Flynn (Blarney), J Hegarty (Ballinora, J-Capt).

Subs: S Brislane (Inniscarra) for M T Brosnan (6-10 temp), B Hegarty (Ballinora) for C O’Flynn (half-time), M Murphy (Midleton) for A Maher (44), C Lawton (Midleton) for C Burke (46), B Power (Ballincollig) for C Stack (50 inj), H Rafferty (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels) for S Hurley (60).

Referee: Brendan Barry Murphy (Aghabullogue).

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