Corn Uí Mhuirí: Fine margins as De La Salle College Macroom edged out by Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne

Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne: 1-12 

De La Salle College Macroom: 0-14 

De La Salle College Macroom were edged out by Pobalscoil Chorca Dhubhne in the TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí at Lewis Road in Killarney on Wednesday afternoon.

It was a case of fine margins for the Muskerry school, who played quite well in this preliminary quarter-final encounter at the home of Dr Crokes, but a concession of a goal with 15 minutes left proved costly.

They looked the likely winners up to that point in what was a great game as they led by three points, but the green flag turned the game on its head. The eventual winners were more clinical when they had to be. 

De La Salle College will have regrets though with missed chances including one great goal chance from Seán O'Leary when they trailed by three points in the closing stages. In saying that, it was great defending to deny O'Leary a clear-cut goal. 

The opening score arrived after six minutes when Diarmuid Ó Séaghdha converted a 45 after De La Salle College defender Cormac Bourke diverted a goal bound shot out for a 45.

A well worked team move ended up with Denis O’Mullane slotting over for the Muskerry school. The sides exchanged white flags before the excellent O’Mullane converted a mark, 0-3 to 0-2 after the first quarter. De La Salle College were starting to get a grip and they were rewarded for their efforts with points from Tom Browne and Colin Kelleher.

But, the Dingle-based school finished the half stronger, hitting three of the last four points to trail by just a point at the break, 0-6 to 0-5.

The sides were level a minute into the second half when Cian Mac Gearailt pointed, and they led for only a second time when Paudie Mac Gearailt bisected the posts. It was short lived though as Browne clipped over an effort after Tim Sweeney did well and it was followed by an O’Mullane effort.

A potentially crucial moment arrived after 39 minutes. Aodhán Ó Beaglaoich was fouled for the eventual winners in the square, and a penalty was awarded. Cian Mac Gearailt stepped up, but his shot went over the bar, 0-8 each.

In a game that swung one way and then the other way so many times, De La Salle College took a foothold when they put together three unanswered points. Just as they were getting on top, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne goaled with a quarter of the game remaining through Cian Mac Gearailt.

The Kerry school kicked three points on the trot to lead 1-11 to 0-11 with 10 minutes remaining. O’Leary then landed a much-needed score for De La Salle College, but Cian Mac Gearailt’s point proved to be the insurance one in the end.

Despite a pair of O’Mullane efforts, one coming from a free, there wasn’t enough time for De La Salle College to mount an attack to try and force the game to extra time.

Scorers for Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne: C Mac Gearailt 1-5 (0-2 f, 0-1 45, 0-1 pen), P Mac Gearailt 0-3, D Ó Séaghdha (0-1 45), P Ó Mainín (0-2 f) 0-2 each.

De La Salle College Macroom: D O’Mullane 0-6 (0-2 f, 0-1 m), T Browne 0-5 (0-3 f), S O’Leary, B Murphy, C Kelleher 0-1 each.

POBALSCOIL CHORCA DHUIBHNE: O Ó Dubhdha; J Mac Liam, E Ó Fiannachta, D Ó Laighin; T Ó Cathail, A Ó Beaglaoich, S de Róiste; S Ó Cuinín, N Ó Riain; D Ó Séaghdha, C Mac Gearailt, C Ó Dufaigh; C Ó Cinnéide, P Ó Mainín, P Mac Gearailt.

Subs: C Corduibh for C Ó Dufaigh (21), B de Brún for D Ó Laighin (h-t), C Mac Conmara for T Ó Cathail (59).

DE LA SALLE COLLEGE MACROOM: C Desmond (Kilmurry); S Hennigan (Kilmichael), C Bourke (Macroom), I Wood (Kilmichael); S O’Leary (Kilmurry), O McCarthy (Clondrohid), E Healy (Macroom); M Condon (Macroom), R McKenna (Macroom); S Kelleher-Leavy (Macroom), T Browne (Kilmchael), B Murphy (Macroom); C Kelleher (Macroom), D O’Mullane (Kilmurry), T Sweeney (Iveleary).

Subs: J O’Shea (Macroom) for M Condon, J Kelleher-Leavy (Macroom) for C Kelleher (both 48), J Hourihane (Clondrohid) for B Murphy (50), R O’Shea (Macroom) for S Kelleher-Leavy (55).

Referee: Séamus Mulvihill (Kerry).