Coláiste Choilm defy the weather to grab a vital victory over the county bounds

Coláiste Choilm 2-13 Pobailscoil Chorcha Dhuibhne 1-10

COLAISTE Choilm displayed courage in abundance to progress to the quarter-finals of the Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster Post-Primary Schools Senior Football Championship) in wretched conditions at Kerry’s Centre of Excellence yesterday.

The Ballincollig school battled bravely against the defending All-Ireland champions, who needed to win to remain in contention, and a piercing cold, mixed with hail showers, to deservedly take the spoils.

Coláiste Choilm could have been excused for believing the weather Gods were conspiring against them as they turned around 1-8 to 1-5 in front only for the wind to whip up on the resumption.

And when the Dingle school kicked a couple of quick-fire points to cut the deficit to the minimum it looked ominous for the Cork outfit.

But, they played some of their best football into the teeth of the wind thereafter, boosted by a critical goal from full-forward Sean McCarthy following a superb move after 39 minutes.

It was a huge moment in the game and Coláiste Choilm grew in confidence as a result with Cork minor Hugh Murphy thundering into the game and scoring the next two points.

The hard-working Fergal O’Leary knocked over his third point to extend the advantage to 2-11 to 1-8 entering the closing 10 minutes as Dingle tried everything to get back into the contest.

There was a fascinating tussle in front of goal between Cork’s Neil Lordan and Kerry’s Dylan Geaney with the minor All-Ireland winner managing to hold his opponent scoreless from play.

A couple of late points from McCarthy and the outstanding Matt Bourke settled all doubts about the outcome.

Dingle edged 1-4 to 0-5 ahead in the 23rd minute after Geaney expertly converted a penalty, but Coláiste Choilm’s response reflected their gritty determination all through. Inspired by Liam O’Connell and Sean Gore in the middle, they went after Dingle and outscored them 1-3 to 0-1 in the remainder of the half.

Dore showed neat skills to bag the all-important goal, two minutes from the break, and there was still time for O’Leary to kick a couple of much-needed points.

Half-time arrived on cue as the heavens opened once again before play resumed with Coláiste Choilm impressing in demanding conditions.

Scorers for Coláiste Choilm: S Dore, S McCarthy 1-1 each, H Murphy, F O’Leary 0-3 each, M Bourke 0-2, S Leisk 0-2 (0-1 f), L O’Connell 0-1.

Pobailscoil: D Geaney 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-3 f), M O Mainin 0-3, K Falvey 0-2, C O Cinneide, C Keane 0-1 each

COLÁISTE CHOILM: C Walsh (Ballincollig); N Vaughan (Inniscarra), N Lordan (Ballinora) R Barrow (do); M Bourke (Ballincollig), C O’Leary (do), C O’Keeffe (Valley Rovers); L O’Connell (Ballincollig), S Dore (do); F O’Leary (Inniscarra), H Murphy (Éire Óg), S Leisk (Inniscarra); L O’Connor (do), S McCarthy (Inniscarra), D O’Mahony (Ballincollig).

Subs: S O’Donoghue (Ballincollig) for Vaughan 45, P O’Keeffe (Ballincollig) for Leisk 48, G Moynihan (Éire Óg) for O’Mahony 56, B Elliot (Éire Óg) for Barrow, black card, 58, J Kelleher (Éire Óg) for McCarthy 59.

POBAILSCOIL: I Uosis; C Wright, N MacGearailt, R Begley; A O’Connor, C O Regan, E de Hora; C Begley, C Keane; T O Se, K Falvey, M O Mainin; C O Rian, D Geaney, C O Cinneide.

Subs: J Brick for O Rian 52, B O’Brien for O’Connor 54, R O Sullivan for O Se, 59.

Referee: D Sayers (Kerry)