Corn Uí Mhuirí: Second-half goals are key to Kenmare’s win over Clonakilty

Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine 3-8

Clonakilty Community College 1-11

There was no joy for Clonakilty Community College in the opening round of the Corn Uí Mhuirí in Bishopstown yesterday.

Having gone to the dressingroom with a one-point advantage, they were undone by second-half goals in the 34th and 35th minute from Jack Tangney and Neal O’Shea.

For Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, it was a red-letter day as the Kenmare school won their first game in the competition, having made the step up to the top-grade this year.

Credit to Clonakilty CC, quarter-finalists in 2023, they staged a spirited comeback, Luke Murphy’s goal, followed by a point from Seán Whelton, closed the gap to three points.

Jack O’Sullivan and centre-back Michael Tangney pushed Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine five up with nine minutes remaining.

There was still time for Clonakilty CC, and while they did haul themselves back through skipper Cillian Twohig and Oisín Harrington points, they couldn’t find an equalising goal in the minutes that were left.

Timothy Cullinane opened the scoring when he put the west Cork school ahead in the third minute, but the lead changed hands when Tangney found the target twice.

Clonakilty CC placed some distance on the scoreboard kicking four on the trot, as well as Cullinane, there were fine points from Whelton and Twohig.

Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, with Liam O’Sullivan as sweeper, kept their heads and when captain and midfielder Jack O’Sullivan saw the space open up in front of him, he pounced for a vital goal 10 minutes from the break, 0-5 to 1-2.

Twice Rory Twohig made fine saves for Clonakilty CC.

The teams were level once more before Murphy from a mark left Clonakilty CC leading at the interval, 0-7 to 1-3.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh Bishopstown and Hamilton High School Bandon are also in this group.

Scorers for PS Inbhear Scéine: J Tangney (1-5, 0-1 free), J O’Sullivan (1-1), N O’Shea (1-0), C Kelliher and M Tangney (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clonakilty CC: L Murphy (1-1, 0-1 mark), S Whelton (0-1 free) and T Cullinane (0-3 each), C Twohig (0-2), O Harrington and J O’Leary (0-1 each).

PS INBHEAR SCÉINE: (Kenmare unless stated): B Fitzsimons; B O’Callaghan, D O’Connor, J Sweeney; D O’Brien, M Tangney, S O’Donoghue (Kilgarvan); J O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan (Tuosist); C Kelliher (Kilgarvan), L O’Sullivan, R MacGearailt; D Grebowiec, J Tangney, N O’Shea.

Subs: R O’Byrne (Templenoe) for S O’Donoghue (40), K O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan) for C Kelliher (52), A O’Sullivan for N O’Shea (53 inj), L Brown for D Grebowiec (59).

CLONAKILTY CC: R Twohig (Kilmeen); S Maguire (Castlehaven), O Harrington (Kilmeen), O Blackrock (Clonakilty); D Harrington (Clonakilty), D Moloney (Ibane Gaels), K Hennessy (Ibane Gaels); M Murphy (Clonakilty), D Dineen (Ibane Gaels); L Murphy (Ibane Gaels), C Twohig (Kilmeen, Capt), J Crowley (Ibane Gaels); J Collins (Ibane Gaels), T Cullinane (Carbery Rangers), S Whelton (St James).

Subs: T Whooley (Clonakilty) for J Collins, J O’Leary (Ballinascarthy) for D Dineen (both half-time), A McCarthy (Ballinascarthy) for O Blackburn, C Murphy (Ibane Gaels) for J Crowley (both 40), H O’Donovan (Kilmeen) for K Hennessy (53).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).