Adam O'Sullivan inspires Spioraid Naoimh to glory over gallant Coláiste an Phiarsaigh

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh: 2-18 

Coláiste an Phiarsaigh: 4-5 

AFTER an entertaining game, it was Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh that got the better of Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in the Cork Post Primary Schools Senior B hurling championship final at the 4G pitch in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Monday afternoon.

Both sides came into the decider after impressive semi-final wins, so a cracking encounter was always on the cards. Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh beat Carrigtwohill Community College while Coláiste an Phiarsaigh came out on top against Patrician Academy Mallow.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh have now won the competition for the first time while it’s another final defeat for Coláiste an Phiarsaigh as the Glanmire based school also lost out in the 2019 decider.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh were boosted by the availability of Cork U20 hurler Adam O’Sullivan and he made a big impression, which went a long way in claiming the trophy for his side. Coláiste an Phiarsaigh’s Calvin Ó Donnabháin netted three goals, but he was on the losing side as they came up against a more slicker and experienced side.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh were aided by a strong wind in the first half and made the most of it as they led 0-6 to 0-2 after 13 minutes with O’Sullivan, Conor O’Donoghue and Callum Caplice sending over splendid points. Caplice pointed again before Coláiste an Phiarsaigh split the posts through Oskar Mac an Mháistir. An O’Sullivan free pushed his side 0-8 to 0-3 clear until John Coleman’s side goaled after 17 minutes when Ó Donnabháin billowed the back of the net. 

As expected, the Bishopstown school with the help of the strong wind pushed on and hit the last five points of the half, Seán Murphy’s point the pick of those scores, 0-13 to 1-3 at the break.

Coláiste an Phiarsaigh were now wind assisted in the new half, and made a good start when Finn Ó Conchubhair raised a white flag, but the winners replied with 1-1, Darragh O’Brien with the goal, 1-14 to 1-4 after 36 minutes. 

Coláiste an Phiarsaigh then had a glimmer of hope when they put 2-1 without reply together, Ó Conchubhair and Ó Donnabháin with the goals as they carved open the oppositions defence, 3-5 to 1-14 after 45 minutes.

The Bishopstown school settled again, and 1-3 unanswered put them in firm control with five minutes remaining, O’Donoghue with the goal after 52 minutes. Ó Donnabháin got his hat-trick in added on time, but it was merely a consolation. It was fitting that O’Sullivan got the last score when he pointed for the new champions.

Scorers for Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh: A O’Sullivan 0-9 (0-5 f), C O’Donoghue 1-3, D O’Brien 1-0, P O’Regan 0-3, D O’Donovan, C Caplice, S Murphy 0-1 each.

Coláiste an Phiarsaigh: C Ó Donnabháin 3-0, F Ó Conchubhair 1-1, M Ó Riordáin 0-3 f, O Mac an Mháistir 0-1.

COLÁISTE AN SPIORAID NAOIMH: S Cronin (Bishopstown); C O’Sullivan (Inniscarra), T O’Keeffe (St Finbarr’s), S Sheridan (Bishopstown); K Harrington (Ballinhassig), C Dineen (Inniscarra), D O'Donovan (Bishopstown); D Enright (Inniscarra), C Caplice (Bishopstown); C O’Donoghue (St Finbarr’s), D O’Brien (Inniscarra), S Murphy (Inniscarra); A O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig), S Lombard (Ballinhassig, capt), P O’Regan (Ballinhassig).

Subs: M Ahern (St Finbarr’s) for S Murphy (46), L Kirby (Ballinhassig) for C O’Sullivan (61, inj).

COLÁISTE AN PHIARSAIGH: F Ó Donnabháin (Sarsfields); J Gráinséar (Sarsfields), Z Ó hAoláin (Erin’s Own), C Ó Condúin (Sarsfields); J Ó Murchú (Glen Rovers), R Ó Coinnealáin (White’s Cross), O Mac Cárthaigh (Sarsfields); S Ó Breacáin (Sarsfields), J Ó Tiarnaigh (Sarsfields); S Ó Foghlú (Erin’s Own), M O’Riordan (Erin’s Own, capt), O Mac an Mháistir (Cloyne); B Ó Floinn (Sarsfields), C Ó Donnabháin (Mayfield), F Ó Conchubhair (Sarsfields).

Subs: E Ó Conghaile (Kiltha Óg) for O Mac an Mháistir (37), D Ó Floinn (Sarsfields) for S Ó Foghlú (53), D Ó Cuimín (Cloyne) for J Ó Tiarnaigh (62).

Referee: Brian Barrett (Douglas).