Ronan Dooley goals drive Rochestown hurlers to O'Callaghan Cup win over Christians

Rochestown College 2-15 CBC 2-9

Rochestown College were crowned O’Callaghan Cup champions at the 4G pitch of SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh.

Overall they were the better side with some outstanding performances, including Cork minor captain Liam Kelleher who marshalled their defence. Up front, the likes of Ronan Dooley, Mark O’Brien, and Charlie Lucas were a handful for CBC, who can’t be faulted for their efforts over the hour.

The loss of Diarmuid Wall early in the second half, through injury, was a huge blow to them as he had been in top form for Christians, especially as Erin's Own Peter O'Shea was already unavailable.

Rochestown got off to the perfect start with Ronan Dooley grabbing their first goal after two minutes and a minute later he got their second, to make it 2-0 to no score. Charlie Lucas added a point as CBC were slow to settle. However, they started to come more into the game and Conor McCarthy raised their first white flag after 10 minutes.

Diarmuid Wall added a second from a free before Dooley replied at the other end. Mark O’Brien got on the scoreboard for Rochestown to see them 2-3 to 0-2 up after 15 minutes.

Wall got his second from a free before CBC raised a green flag to put them back in contention. The referee brought forward a free after a Rochestown player didn’t get out of Wall’s way when he tried to take a quick one.

This brought it within scoring range and Wall deceived the Rochestown defence to find the back of the net, to put them ahead by a goal. Ben Mayer added a point for CBC, however, Rochestown finished the half strongly to lead by 2-6 to 1-4 at half-time.

Conor Yelland, O’Brien, and Lucas all raised white flags to put Rochestown five points to the good at that stage. Glen’s Conor McCarthy pulled a point back for CBC, with O’Brien replying with two at the other end.

CBC were awarded a penalty for a foul on Jake Brosnan and Fionan Barry made no mistake, to make it 2-7 to 2-8. But Rochestown responded with points from Rob Hanley and O’Brien and with three minutes to go they led by two.

A tussle then broke out involving players from both sides, which ended in Eoin O’Flynn getting sent off. But it mattered little to Rochestown as late points from Cork minor panelists Jack O’Brien and Cathal Lowney helped secure their win.

Scorers for Rochestown College: R Dooley 2-1, M O’Brien 0-5 (0-1 f), C Lucas, C Yelland 0-2 each, R Hanley, S Healy (f), J O’Brien, C Hallahan, C Lowney 0-1 each.

CBC: D Wall 1-2 f, F Barry 1-0 pen, C McCarthy (St Finbarr’s) 0-3 (0-2 f), A Hourigan 0-2, C McCarthy (Glen), B Mayer 0-1 each.

ROCHESTOWN COLLEGE: J Murphy (Blackrock); L Kelleher (Douglas), D Reddington (Douglas), T O’Brien (Nemo Rangers); E O’Flynn (Douglas), S Healy (Blackrock), J Burke (Douglas); R Hanley (Douglas), J O’Brien (Douglas); C O’Keeffe (Douglas), M O’Brien (Douglas), C Yelland (Nemo Rangers); C Lucas (Douglas), C Hallahan (Douglas), R Dooley (Douglas).

Subs: C Lowney (Tracton) for C O’Keeffe (51), O Barry (Douglas) for C Yelland (58).

CBC: E Coughlan (Blackrock); J O’Callaghan Maher (Douglas), D Collins (Erin’s Own), J Huggins (Sarsfields); R Buckley (Whitechurch), C McCarthy (Glen Rovers), D Browne (Blackrock); A Hourigan (Mallow), J Brosnan (Glen Rovers); F Barry (Douglas), B Nolan (Erin’s Own), B Mayer (Ballinora); D Wall (Glen Rovers), C McCarthy (St Finbarr’s), P Lehane (Na Piarsaigh).

Subs: M Brosnan (Glen Rovers) for D Wall (34 inj), J Hartnett (Douglas) for P Lehane (45), J Leddy (Sarsfields) for R Buckley (47), J Cronin (Blarney) for B Mayer, C Murray (Bishopstown) for F Barry (60).

Referee: Simon Stokes, Tullylease.