History made as Hamilton High School Bandon land a first Simcox Cup 

Hamilton High School Bandon: 0-11 

Skibbereen Community School: 1-6 

For the first time, Hamilton High School Bandon have been crowned Cork PPS Simcox Cup winners after overcoming Skibbereen Community School at Páirc Uí Rinn on Tuesday evening.

This all-West Cork final pairing drew a large crowd to the Boreenmanna Road venue and they weren’t disappointed in what was a brilliant decider between two committed and honest teams.

Skibbereen Community School were appearing in their third final in four seasons having last won this competition in 2022, but they just fell short against a more balanced outfit. They could have snatched it right at the end, but a huge goal chance went begging.

It looked like Hamilton High School were going to stroll to victory when they led 0-5 to 0-0 after the first quarter as they were well on top.

It was Hammies greater scoring threat that got them over the line.

The eventual winners started on the front foot straight away with a point after 19 seconds through Kevin Hannon, but it was captain Jack Cullinane that did the heavy lifting.

Skibbereen Community School’s attacks were sporadic in the early stages as Hammies tacked on two further points inside the first six minutes with Charlie Twomey and Eoin Maguire pointing.

Hamilton High School were in control all over the pitch early on and showed why they reached the semi-finals of the Corn Uí Mhuirí in this campaign. Paddy Lordan’s team added quickfire white flags through Humphrey Canty and Maguire with the first of those a beaut after a gorgeous cross field pass from a sideline from Oisín McCarthy to Canty.

Skibbereen Community School’s first meaningful attack after 16 minutes resulted in Niall O’Callaghan having a goal chance but his effort dribbled wide, but he was being fouled and it was brought back for a free, which Seán Connolly converted, 0-5 to 0-1.

Hamilton High School should have been further ahead if it wasn’t for wayward shooting and they were punished when their opposition hit 1-1, both from Connolly, a free and a penalty, 1-2 to 0-5 after 25 minutes.

Remarkably, the team coached by former Castlehaven boss James McCarthy, went ahead for the first time when that man Connolly slotted over another free with a minute to the break. The teams did go into the dressing rooms level at the interval when Oisín McCarthy kicked over a routine free, 0-6 to 1-3 at half-time.

A pair of Oisín McCarthy frees on the resumption was just the start required for Hamilton High School after a sluggish second quarter. Skibbereen Community School’s first scorer other than Connolly arrived after 40 minutes through the boot of Daniel Cleary to leave a point between the teams.

Scores were at a premium in this half with both defences on top as we entered the fourth quarter. A pair of Oisín McCarthy placed balls gave Hammies a 0-10 to 1-4 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Oisín McCarthy then got a black card after 51 minutes as Connolly pointed a free to leave two points in it. Another Connolly effort, this one from play, left a grandstand finish.

It was 14 against 14 going into added time after Ryan McCarthy picked up a straight red card for Skibbereen Community School for an off the ball incident. 

A boomer from Luke Casey made it a two-point game before their opposition hit the post right at the death through sub Adam O'Donovan. Hammies survived, just about. 

Scorers for Hamilton High School Bandon: O McCarthy 0-5 f, E Maguire 0-2 (0-1 f), C Twomey, H Canty, L Casey, K Hannon 0-1 each.

Skibbereen Community School: S Connolly 1-5 (1-0 pen, 0-4 f), D Cleary 0-1.

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

Subs: O Gillain (Kilbrittain) for E Maguire (45), D Walsh (Argideen Rangers) for K Hannon (49), A Griffin (Kilbrittain) for D Flynn (53).

SKIBBEREEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL: D Heaton-Jones (O’Donovan Rossa); W O’Donovan (Castlehaven), J Goulding (O’Donovan Rossa), C Moloney (Castlehaven); N O’Callaghan (Castlehaven), F Hurley (O’Donovan Rossa, captain), P Collins (Ilen Rovers); C French (Castlehaven), S Connolly (Ilen Rovers); R McCarthy (Castlehaven), D Cleary (Castlehaven), A Fahy (Ilen Rovers); L O’Sullivan (O’Donovan Rossa), D O’Donovan (Castlehaven), D McCarthy (Castlehaven).

Subs: C O’Brien (O’Donovan Rossa) for L O’Sullivan (53), A Dempsey (O’Donovan Rossa) for D Cleary (58), A O'Donovan (Tadhg MacCarthaigh) for A Fahy (60).

Referee: Eoin Coleman (Youghal).