St Colman's hurlers blast past Midleton CBS in Dean Ryan Cup semi

St Colman’s College Fermoy 2-26 Midleton CBS 0-10

ST Colman’s claimed an emphatic victory in the Dean Ryan (U16.5 A hurling) semi-final at Ballincollig on Thursday afternoon. 

After leading by five points at the break, it was their storming second-half display that ensured them their place in the final against Ardscoil Rís.

Their excellent overall performance was spearheaded by centre-back Adam Walsh, while in attack all six were on the scoresheet as well as midfielder Cillian Tobin and substitutes Roan O’Riordan and Sean O’Donoghue.

St Colman’s enjoyed a 0-13 to 0-8 advantage at the half-way stage, and once Ben Nodwell finished their first goal five minutes after the restart, they sparked into life. Edmond Cashman was heavily involved in this major.

A green flag from Michael O’Driscoll midway through the second half put the game beyond the reach of Midleton CBS. He fired home after Nyhan had played the ball through.

Their awesome attacking potential was also highlighted with some fine point-taking, especially from the stick of Dan Roche, Nyhan and Cashman.

Midleton CBS were in contention at the interval but had no answer to the strength of St Colman’s in the second half. Jack Leahy bagged seven of their total, while there were points from Diarmuid Healy and one from a lengthy free courtesy of goalkeeper Brion Saunderson.

Ardscoil Rís defeated St Flannan’s 2-18 to 2-11 to reach the decider.

Scorers for St Colman’s: D Roche 0-8 (0-3 f), B Nodwell 1-4 (0-2 f), B Nyhan 0-5 (0-1 f), M O’Driscoll 1-1, E Cashman 0-3, C Tobin 0-2, B Lehane, S O’Donoghue, R O’Riordan 0-1 each.

Midleton CBS: J Leahy 0-7 (0-6 f), D Healy 0-2, B Saunderson 0-1 f.

ST COLMAN'S: C McCarthy (Castlelyons); L Carey (Kilworth), C Hazlewood (Bride Rovers), D Barry (Bride Rovers); K Wallace (St Catherine’s), A Walsh (Bride Rovers), C Fitzpatrick (Fermoy); G O’Brien (St Catherine’s), C Tobin (Bride Rovers); B Nyhan (Clyda Rovers), D Roche (Ballyhooly), M O’Driscoll (Watergrasshill); E Cashman (Bride Rovers), B Nodwell (Sarsfields, c), B Lehane (Watergrasshill).

Subs: R O’Riordan (Kilworth) for C Tobin (50), S O’Donoghue (St Catherine’s) for B Nodwell (52), F O’Connell (St Catherine’s) for D Roche (56), I O’Callaghan (Watergrasshill) for E Cashman (58).

MIDLETON CBS: B Saunderson (Midleton); T Wilk (Cobh), C Smyth (Midleton), A Rooney (Carrigtwohill); L Greig (Kiltha Óg), G Walsh Wallace (Killeagh), D Codd (Midleton); J Ahern (Kiltha Óg), D Murnane (Carrigtwohill); J Leahy (Kiltha Óg), D Joseph (Carrigtwohill, c), D McCarthy (Midleton); T Roche (Midleton), D Healy (Lisgoold), T Savage (Lisgoold).

Subs: M Wall (Fr O’Neill’s) for D Codd (21), C Leahy (Killeagh) for T Savage (half-time), N Corcoran (Midleton) for T Roche (40), L Scriven (Carrigtwohill) for D Murnane (49).

Referee: Teddy O’Donovan (Douglas).