Dr Harty Cup: Gaelcholáiste Mhuire book knockout spot following hard-fought win against St Colman's

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG: 0-22 

St Colman’s College Fermoy: 0-20 

In this winner-takes-all Cork derby, it was city outfit Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG that came through after a great battle with St Colman’s College Fermoy in the TUS Dr Harty Cup at a bitterly cold Watergrasshill on Wednesday afternoon.

This final Group 5 game had so much on the line considering a place in the knockout stages was the prize but it turned out to be a lively and open affair.

In a group that consists of three teams with Waterford's De La Salle College being the other, both Cork teams had lost their first game so both knew a win would be good enough to qualify. 

It was level going into added time, but it was the city outfit that finished strong to seal the win even though a draw would have done for them. Heartbreak for St Colman’s who played their part in a cracking game.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire, with Cork GAA legend Seán Óg Ó hAilpín on the management ticket, hit the first score through Lúcás Ó Muirthile but three frees from Fionn Lardner were expertly converted for St Colman’s.

The sides traded the next four white flags before a Seán Ó Dálaigh effort left just a point in it after 19 minutes, 0-5 to 0-4, but they were playing second fiddle at this juncture.

Driven on by the excellent Lardner who did more than just scoring points, St Colman’s hit five of the next seven points with Aodhán Hickey and Denis Fitzgerald excellent in defence for the North Cork school. Liam Óg Hegarty’s effort the pick of those seven scores.

A Lardner free extended his sides advantage to five points after 28 minutes but a Craig Ó Súilleabháin placed ball kept his team in touch, 0-11 to 0-7 at half-time.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire came out a different side for the second half. Points from Jamie Ó hÉigeartaigh, Conchúr Ó Maonaigh and Josh Ó Brosnacháin brought them to within a point.

The sides traded points before Gaelcholáiste Mhuire sub Trevor Ó Bruadau drew his side level for only a second time, 0-12 each after 36 minutes.

The teams exchanged points before three unanswered Gaelcholáiste Mhuire white flags gave them their biggest lead so far, 0-16 to 0-13 with 16 minutes remaining.

In keeping with the close encounter, St Colman’s hit three points to draw level. It remained deadlocked going into added time at 0-19 apiece, before an Ó Suilleabháin free nudged his team in front. A Jack Counihan effort from an acute angle tied up matters, but St Colman’s were unable to push ahead.

The city school scored the last two points courtesy of a pair of efforts from Callum Ó Cofaigh as Gaelcholáiste Mhuire march into the preliminary quarter-finals. 

The draws for the knockout stages will take place in due course.

Scorers for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG: C Ó Suilleabháin 0-10 (0-9 f), L Ó Muirthile, C Ó Cofaigh 0-3 each, C Ó Maonaigh, J Ó Brosnacháin, J Ó hÉigeartaigh, D Ó Connaill, S Ó Dálaigh, T Ó Bruadau 0-1 each.

St Colman’s College Fermoy: F Lardner 0-9 f, B McGrath 0-3, J Counihan, L Óg Hegarty, O Magner 0-2 each, J Temple, T McCarthy 0-1 each.

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AG: J Ó Gabhláin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna); M Gayfer (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), C Ó Maonaigh (Na Piarsaigh), E Ó Murchú (Baile na mBocht); G Ó Duibhir Ó hArrachtáin (Na Piarsaigh), J Ó Brosnacháin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), C Ó Gealbháin (Na Piarsaigh); E Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh); J Ó hÉigeartaigh (Teampall Geal), C Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh); D Ó Conaill (Teampall Geal), C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), S Ó Dálaigh (Naomh Uinseann).

Subs: T Ó Bruadau (Naomh Uinseann) for G Ó Duibhir Ó hArrachtáin (28, inj), C Ó Riain (Carraig na bhFear) for J Ó hÉigeartaigh (55), C Ó Briain (Teampall Geal) for D Ó Conaill (59).

ST COLMAN’S COLLEGE FERMOY: J Bryan (St Catherine’s); B Ryan (Watergrasshill), A Hickey (Ballyduff Upper, Waterford), Cathal Barry (Bride Rovers); E O’Driscoll (St Catherine’s), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), Cormac Barry (Bride Rovers); C O’Brien (Buttevant), J Counihan (Watergrasshill); L Óg Hegarty (Kilworth), F Lardner (Fermoy), B McGrath (Fermoy); B Knox (Bride Rovers), J Temple (St Catherine’s), O Magner (Killavullen).

Subs: D Hickey (Ballyduff Upper, Waterford) for C O’Brien (42), T McCarthy (Watergrasshill) for B Knox (43), R Donovan (Fermoy) for B McGrath (48), J O’Keeffe (Fermoy) for J Temple (59).

Referee: Eoin Coleman (Youghal).