St. Nathy’s outclass Rosscarbery’s Mount St. Michael to seal All Ireland colleges final berth

Played at a dry but breezy University of Limerick North Campus, the winners laid a platform for victory with a fine opening half, where they held the upper hand, by three points.

Sat, 28 Feb, 2026 - 16:40

Tom Clancy

St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen 3-18 Mount St. Michael’s Rosscarbery 0-11

St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen will contest the 2026 Paddy Drummond Cup final, after a comfortable victory over Munster PPS ‘B’ Champions, Mount St. Michael’s, Rosscarbery.

Played at a dry but breezy University of Limerick North Campus, the winners laid a platform for victory with a fine opening half, where they held the upper hand, by three points.

They shut the back-door and only allowed the Munster ‘B’ kingpins kick a single point in the second half, as Declan Duffy’s punched goal added to the opening half efforts from Ryan O’Sullivan and Conor Moriarty.

For Rosscarbery, they were short Dylan O’Neill, Jerome McCarthy and Joe O’Donovan through injury, all of which hampered their chances prior to throw-in.

However, take nothing away from Ballaghaderreen, who kicked well, scored with quality and linked well from their half-back line to book a final meeting with Cnoc Mhuire Granard, Longford.

A fantastic opening quarter saw a brace of goals – the first from Ryan O’Sullivan’s drilled finish, the second from Conor Moriarty, who blasted high to the net.

This gave them a 2-5 to 0-6 lead, with a brace of two pointer frees from corner-forward from Luke O’Neill keeping the Cork outfit in the contest.

Indeed, there was just three points between the sides as they headed for the dressing rooms, with Ronan Hayes, the Cork U20, curling over three, while Joe McCarthy also registered a white flag.

The impressive James Cassidy and top scorer Dean Casey led the way over the hour for the winners.

A dominant third quarter saw Casey land a two-point free, while a 41st minute goal from Declan Duffy’s punched effort ensured the Rosscarbery fight-back would be impossible.

Hayes (free) accounted for Mike Keohane and Enda Favier’s sides only second half score – who perhaps deserved something more for their endeavour. However, the final seven points, including Sean Buckley’s majestic two-pointer gave Nathy’s another day out.

Scorers for St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen: D Casey (0-8; 2pf, 2f); O Frain (0-4); J Cassidy (0-2); S Buckley (0-2; 2p); R O’Sullivan, C Moriarty, D Duffy (1-0 each); N Gill, R Coleman (0-1 each).

Scorers for Mount St. Michael’s Rosscarbery: R Hayes (0-6; 0-3f); L O’Neill (0-4; 2x 2pf); J McCarthy 0-1.

St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen: P Gaynor (Western Gaels); H Dooney (Ballaghaderreen), L Boyle (Kilmovee), J Kilroy (Ballaghaderreen); J Cassidy (Western Gaels), D Duffy (Kilmovee), P Gilligan (Ballinameen); O Frain (Kilmovee), S Buckley (Ballaghaderreen); J Puncheon (Ballaghaderreen), D Casey (Ballinameen), A Duffy (Ballaghaderreen); R O’Sullivan (Ballaghaderreen), M McTeigue (Ballinameen), C Moriarty (Ballaghaderreen).

Subs: C Gallagher (Western Gaels) for Kilroy (half-time); N Gill (Western Gaels) for Duffy (48); P O’Dowd (Eastern Harps) for Gilligan (53); L Freyne (Western Gaels) for Puncheon (60); R Coleman (Ballaghaderreen) for O’Sullivan (60).

Mount St. Michael’s Rosscarbery (Carbery Rangers unless stated): C Campbell; M McCarthy (Kilmacbea), B Sheehy (capt), R Fitzpatrick; D Scannell, C Buchanan, S Cuinnea; J McCarthy, P Tobin; O O’Donovan (Kilmacbea), R Hayes, M McCarthy; L O’Neill, S Lane, J McCarthy (Kilmacbea).

Subs: J O’Donovan (Kilmacabea) for Lane (45); C Ó Dinnabháin for M McCarthy (48); S Murphy for Fitzpatrick (53).

Referee: Evan Horan (Kerry)