Spioraid Naoimh retain the Simcox Cup following victory over Clonakilty 

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh: 2-10 

Clonakilty Community College: 1-9 

COLÁISTE AN SPIORAID NAOIMH have been crowned Simcox Cup winners for the second season on the bounce after victory over Clonakilty Community College at Páirc Uí Rinn on Thursday afternoon.

This final was not a cracker, but both sides, who were well matched, showed no lack of endeavour in what was a low scoring but entertaining encounter given the closeness of the game. The celebrations from the victorious camp showed how much it meant to the Bishopstown based school to claim back-to-back titles, the first time they have achieved that since the early 1990s. 

It’s heartbreak for Clonakilty, as the West Cork school lose a second decider in three seasons. They very nearly forced extra time despite playing with 14 players for the final 24 minutes plus, with the game level in added on time, but their opposition just had enough to get over the line.

Spioraid Naoimh hit three wides in the opening three minutes during which time Seán Whelton kicked a fine point from an acute angle for Clonakilty. In what was a slow start by both teams, the sides were level after nine minutes when Kevin Werner pointed for the defending champs. In an opening quarter of very few scoring chances, Spioraid Naoimh had a goal opportunity after 14 minutes but Neil Crowley’s effort was easily saved by Clonakilty goalkeeper Donnacha Walsh.

Gary Holland clipped over a point for Spioraid Naoimh, 0-2 to 0-1 after 16 minutes, but scores were at a premium, and it wasn’t down to the wind, it was just a case of wayward shooting and wrong decision making. Spioraid Naoimh created another goal scoring chance seven minutes to the break, with the goal gaping, Darragh O’Donovan sliced his effort narrowly wide.

Clonakilty then had their go at scoring a goal, Darragh Gough’s shot hit the crossbar, the ball fell nicely for Timmy Cullinane, but his effort was blocked by Spioraid Naoimh netminder Seán Cronin. Gough drew his side level before the break as the sides were deadlocked at half-time, 0-2 each.

The Bishopstown school made a fast start to the new half when Holland bisected the posts a minute in, but it was quickly cancelled out by a beauty of a point from Cillian Twohig. Clonakilty nudged ahead through Whelton before the West Cork side were reduced to 14 players following Shane O’Regan’s straight red card after 36 minutes for an off the ball incident.

A Whelton free gave Clonakilty a two-point buffer, 0-5 to 0-3. The sides traded points, as Spioraid Naoimh struggled to make use of the extra player, 0-6 to 0-4 after 42 minutes. A Whelton 45 extended Clonakilty’s advantage. It was parity with 14 minutes left when Mark O’Brien hammered the ball into the roof of the Clonakilty net, game on, 1-4 to 0-7.

Spioraid Naoimh then led by a point courtesy of a Holland white flag. The sides swapped points before Clonakilty raised a green flag when Gough finished with aplomb after 54 minutes, 1-8 to 1-6. Spioraid Naoimh’s response was excellent as they landed three of the next four points to draw parity, 1-9 apiece after 57 minutes.

A brilliant point from Holland in the first minute of injury-time was followed a minute later by a Kevin Murphy goal as Spioraid Naoimh finished strong to claim the trophy again. 

Scorers for Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh: G Holland 0-5, M O’Brien, K Murphy 1-0 each, K Werner 0-2, D O’Donovan, T O’Keeffe, N Crowley 0-1 each.

Clonakilty Community College: D Gough 1-3, S Whelton 0-4 (0-1 f, 0-1 45), C Twohig, T Cullinane 0-1 each.

COLÁISTE AN SPIORAID NAOIMH: S Cronin (Bishopstown); C O’Sullivan (Inniscarra), M Ahern (St Finbarr’s), C Dineen (Inniscarra); O Foley (Bishopstown), M O’Brien (Ballinora), D O’Donovan (Bishopstown); K Murphy (Bishopstown, capt), T O’Keeffe (St Finbarr’s); S Sheridan (Bishopstown), G Holland (Bishopstown), S Connolly (Inniscarra); K Werner (Ballinora), N Crowley (Bishopstown), B Cahill (Bishopstown).

Subs: J Brady (St Finbarr’s) for S Sheridan (h-t), C O’Donoghue (St Finbarr’s) for B Cahill (45), D O’Brien (Inniscarra) for N Crowley (55).

CLONAKILTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE: D Walsh (Clonakilty); O Blackburn (Clonakilty), S O’Regan (Clonakilty), K Hennessy (Ibane Gaels); D Moloney (Ibane Gaels), E Cullinane (St Mary’s), M O’Donovan (Bandon); C Twohig (Kilmeen), D Kenneally (Clonakilty); O Harrington (Kilmeen), T Cullinane (Carbery Rangers), J Crowley (Ibane Gaels); D Gough (Clonakilty, capt), O O’Donovan (Ibane Gaels), S Whelton (St James’).

Subs: M Murphy (Clonakilty) for J Crowley (34).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).