O'Callaghan Cup: Gaelcholáiste Mhuire end long wait for success with superb performance to overcome CBC
Seán Ó Dálaigh of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG holds possession despite the attentions of Eoghan O'Shea of Christian Brothers College. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
A dominant first half paved the way for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG to record an impressive victory in the O’Callaghan Cup final at Páirc Uí Rinn on Wednesday afternoon.
Not since 1991 had the Cork post-primary senior A hurling trophy made its way up North Monastery Road, while the Irish-speaking arm had been beaten in four deciders across the past decade. Their opponents, fellow northside school Christian Brothers College, were going for a third title in four years – their win in 2022 came against the AG – but recent history was comprehensively reversed.
Thanks to a pair of fine first-half goals from Lucas Ó Muirthile and a raft of points from Craig Ó Súilleabháin, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire retired with a 2-11 to 0-5 half-time advantage.
That 12-point advantage could even become 15 on the restart as Dónal Ó Scannláin’s strong run set up the lively Callum Ó Cofaigh for a goal effort but Keith Flood saved well from him.
Even without that, their supremacy was not in danger of being shaken – a strong defence, led by Josh Ó Brosnacháin, repelled Christians’ efforts at a fightback and two more excellent Ó Súilleabháin points sandwiched one from Ó Cofaigh to leave them 2-15 to 0-7 in front by the 41st minute.
It said much about the AG’s dominance that it wasn’t until a Michael Quill points on 42 was followed by one from Ben Mayer on 43 that Christians had consecutive scores – while that run became four points as Cillian Connolly and Mayer again registered, it still only reduced the deficit to ten points.
Conchúr Ó Briain, set up by Ó Muirthile, went close to another goal for the AG, denied by another good Flood save. While Conor McCarthy did have a late point and goal for Christians, Ó Muirthile rounded the game off with a superb hat-trick goal, set up by sub Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin, as they won by 11.
While Christians had two of the opening three points, the AG soon got on top, with Ó Muirthile proving a handful as he drew fouls which were converted into points by Ó Súilleabháin.
They led by 0-7 to 0-3 in the 22nd minute when Ó Cofaigh’s delivery broke inside and Ó Muirthile was first to the loose ball before finishing smartly to the net. When that was followed by an Ó Súilleabháin free from his own 65, the lead was eight points.
As the first half ticked into injury time, they held the same advantage when Darragh Ó Connaill did well to claim the ball from a thicket of players close to the CBC goal. His pass put Ó Briain through but he had the vision and unselfishness to play the ball to Ó Muirthile for an easy finish.
Ó Súilleabháin’s ninth sent them in with a handsome lead and their grip on the game was never in danger of being shaken.
C Ó Súilleabháin 0-14 (0-8 f, 0-1 65), L Ó Muirthile 3-0, D Ó Connaill C Ó Cofaigh 0-2 each.
C McCarthy 1-2, B Mayer 0-3 (0-2 f), E O’Shea (0-1 f), J Murray 0-2 each, C Connolly, M Quill, C O’Flynn 0-1 each.
J Ó Gabhláin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna); M Gayfer (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), K Ó Gealbháin (Na Piarsaigh), S Mac Seoin (Naomh Uinseann); S Ó Dálaigh (Naomh Uinseann), J Ó Brosnacháin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), J Ó hÉigeartaigh (Teampall Geal); T Ó Bruadau (Naomh Uinseann), E Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh); C Ó Suilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Connaill (Teampall Geal), D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh); L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh), C Ó Briain (Teampall Geal), C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh).
E Mac Eochán (Fanaithe an Ghleanna) for Ó Bruadau (50), C Ó Riain (Caraig na bhFear) for Ó Briain (55), Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna) for Ó Connaill, J Mac Craith (Na Piarsaigh) for E Ó Cróinín (60), R Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh) for Ó Súilleabháin (all 60).
K Flood (Ballygarvan); J Huggins (Sarsfields), R Higgins (Sarsfields), D Kingston (Mallow); R Buckley (Whitechurch), D Riordan (Kilworth), C Connolly (Glen Rovers); M Quill (Blackrock), C McCarthy (St Finbarr’s); E O’Shea (Ballinhassig), B Mayer (Ballinora), C O’Flynn (Blarney); J Murray (St Finbarr’s), J Trench (Ballinora), M T Brosnan (Glen Rovers).
A Hourigan (Mallow) for Huggins (half-time), S O’Driscoll (Aghada) for O’Shea (39, injured), C Lawton (Midleton) for O’Flynn (42), S Hurley (Éire Óg) for Murray (50), M Murphy (Midleton) for Quill (57).
Cathal McAllister (Aghada).
App?
