Simcox Cup: Oisín McCarthy's late goal sees Hamilton High School edge out Coláiste Choilm

Hamilton High School Bandon: 1-8 

Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig: 0-10 

Hamilton High School Bandon have booked their spot in the Cork PPS Simcox Cup final after seeing off Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig at Ovens on Wednesday afternoon.

This season’s Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-finalists looked in bother at the break as they trailed by two points having played with the wind. An improved second half display was enough for them to get over the line. Oisín McCarthy’s green flag six minutes from time proving so crucial and the eventual winners just had that little bit more composure in the closing stages to prevail.

Hammies played much better against the wind, as they moved the ball at pace and made the right decisions at vital stages. Paddy Lordan's team will face Skibbereen Community School in the decider next Wednesday.

Coláiste Choilm will be disappointed by the second half, as they probably forced it too much when patience was required.

Played on Éire Óg’s second pitch on Casey’s Road, despite playing against the wind in the first half, Coláiste Choilm started brightly in this semi-final clash.

Darragh Clifford pointed early on and the Mid-Cork school also created a goal opportunity after Danny Miskella set up Kevin O’Leary but Hamilton High School goalkeeper Billy Curtin made a smart save.

McCarthy and Kevin Hannon added points for Hammies as they made use of the wind with those scores. The sides traded points before Miskella and Ben O’Connell pushed Coláiste Choilm 0-4 to 0-3 clear after 26 minutes.

A superb Daniel McCarthy effort gave his team a two-point lead. The biggest advantage so far after a tight and tense opening half, 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time.

Seán Murphy and Clifford did add quick-fire white flags for Coláiste Choilm on the resumption, but Denis Keohane’s outfit struggled for the remainder.

The sides did trade points as Coláiste Choilm led 0-8 to 0-4 after 39 minutes, but the Ballincollig school wouldn’t score again for another 17 minutes. During that time, Hamilton High School scored 1-4 without reply. Richard Tarrant with the pick of the points while McCarthy goaled after 54 minutes made by the lively Humphrey Canty.

Coláiste Choilm did land two points from O’Leary and Cian O’Connor, but Hammies defended valiantly in the closing stages to prevent a scoring chance for their opposition with Niall Daly and Ben Coffey shoring up the defence.

Hamilton High School will now bid to win the Simcox Cup for the very first time next Wednesday in a tasty looking final against Skibbereen Community School.

Scorers for Hamilton High School Bandon: O McCarthy 1-2 (0-1 f), E Maguire 0-3 f, R Tarrant, J Cullinane, K Hannon 0-1 each. 

Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig: D Miskella (0-1 f), D Clifford 0-2 each, D McCarthy, C O’Connor, B O’Connell, S Murphy, L O’Mahony, K O’Leary 0-1 each.

HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL BANDON: B Curtin (Valley Rovers); B Coffey (Clonakilty), N Daly (Valley Rovers), R Tarrant (Bandon); L Casey (Valley Rovers), J Cullinane (Bandon), A Griffin (Kilbrittain); S Browne (Valley Rovers), S Coffey (Clonakilty); C Twomey (Argideen Rangers), O McCarthy (Valley Rovers), H Flanagan (Newcestown); E Maguire (Castlehaven), K Hannon (Bandon), H Canty (Newcestown).

Subs: D Flynn (Argideen Rangers) for A Griffin, D Walsh (Argideen Rangers) for S Browne (both h-t), E O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers) for L Casey (45), L O’Donnell (Kilbrittain) for J Cullinane (62, inj).

COLÁISTE CHOILM BALLINCOLLIG: N Tate (Ballincollig); C Power (Ballincollig), P Rose (Ballincollig), S O’Callaghan (Éire Óg); D McCarthy (Éire Óg), C O’Connor (Ballincollig), C Herlihy (Inniscarra); D Clifford (Éire Óg), B O’Connell (Ballincollig); S Rue O’Sullivan (Ballincollig), S Murphy (Éire Óg), L O’Mahony (Ballincollig); D Miskella (Ballincollig), C Murphy (Ballincollig), K O’Leary (Ballincollig).

Subs: A Dodd (Canovee) for C Murphy, C Ahern (Ballincollig) for S Rue O’Sullivan (both 42), B Cronin (Ballincollig) for S Murphy (53), E Donovan (Ballincollig) for D McCarthy (55).

Referee: C McCarthy (Carbery Rangers).