Dr Harty Cup: Strong finish sees Gaelcholáiste Mhuire take derby win over CBC

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025 - 14:36

Denis Hurley

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire An Mhainistir Thuaidh 2-21

Christian Brothers College 2-19

The scenes at the end showed what it meant as Gaelcholáiste Mhuire An Mhainistir Thuaidh came out on top in their TUS Dr Harty Cup derby with Christian Brothers College.

With neither side having won their opening matches in Group 4, Wednesday’s clash at the SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh 4G pitch took on a quasi-knockout feel and was played in a frenetic nature that matched that.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire roared into a 1-2 to 0-1 lead but then conceded an unanswered 2-6 as Christians appeared to have taken control of the game. By half-time, the Sidney Hill outfit were 2-14 to 2-11 to the good but ‘the AG’ secured parity early in the second half and from there the sides duked it out.

Eoghan O’Shea’s free for CBC - when he had advantage after a superb goal-saving

intervention by Nathan Ó Cofaigh to deny him - put CBC 2-17 to 2-16 ahead on 49 minutes but it was the last time they led.

Full-back Ryan Ó Croinín had Gaelcholáiste Mhuire level before Craig Ó Súilleabháin put them back in front and Gabhan Ó Ceacllacháin’s 65 gave them their biggest lead since early in the first half.

They had might have buttressed that advantage with another goal but Callum Ó Cofaigh was denied by good David Kingston defending. However, while Seán Hurley halved the deficit, an equaliser remained elusive as both sides wasted chances in the jittery closing minutes.

Ó Súilleabháin made it a two-point game again and, though CBC sub Bobby Power left it 2-20 to 2-19 going into injury time, Ó Ceallacháin had the final say and the final whistle released a dam of emotion for those in blue and white.

Callum Ó Cofaigh of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire takes a shot. Picture: Larry Cummins

They are still likely to need something from their last match against Templemore but that they battled back from a tough early position to repeat the outcome of last season’s O’Callaghan Cup final will give them lots of belief going forward.

While Ó Súilleabháin’s early goal was the centre-piece of their fine start, CBC soon settled and began to land points from all over the field. When O’Shea drilled a low free to the net, they were 1-4 to 1-2 ahead and Jack Hegarty and Michael Quill followed points before Hurley added a goal - Ben Hegarty having broken Cian Lawton’s delivery.

Points from Ó Ceallacháin got the AG going again and they were in it when Josh Ó Brosnacháin’s ball towards the CBC goalmouth wasn’t dealt with and Callum Ó Cofaigh was able to finish smartly.

Christians stayed in front until the break - they had nine first-half scorers and no wides - but a point on the restart from Gaelcholáiste Mhuire’s Trevor Ó Bruadau - excellent throughout - set the tone for them.

Cian Lawton of CBC in possessin. Picture: Larry Cummins

With sweeper Dónal Ó Scannláin helping to block off attacking avenues, they ate into the deficit bit by bit and Ó Brosnacháin had them level by the 41st minute. From there, the sides exchanged blows, with the AG having the stronger finish.

Scorers for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire An Mhainistir Thuaidh: C Ó Súilleabháin 1-7 (0-3 f), G Ó Ceallacháin 0-6 (0-4 f, 0-1 65), C Ó Cofaigh 1-2, T Ó Bruadau 0-2, SJ Ó Dálaigh, R Ó Buachalla, J Ó Brosnacháin, R Ó Cróinín 0-1 each.

Christian Brothers College: E O’Shea 1-6 (1-5 f), S Hurley 1-2, M Murphy, M Quill, J Murray 0-2 each, C Lawton, B Hegarty, J Hegarty, MT Brosnan (0-1 f), B Power 0-1 each.

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AN MHAINISTIR THUAIDH: J Ó Gabhláin (Glen Rovers); N Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), R Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), R Ó Buachalla (Glen Rovers); SJ Ó Dalaigh (St Vincent’s), J Ó Brosnacháin (Glen Rovers), G Ó Duibhir Ó hArracht (Na Piarsaigh); T Ó Bruadau (St Vincent’s), E Mac Eochán (Glen Rovers); G Ó Ceallacháin (Glen Rovers), C Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), J Ó Cathaláin (Na Piarsaigh); D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh), C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh).

Subs: D de Barra (Douglas) for Ó Cathaláin (45), J Ó Riain (Blarney) for Mac Eochán (54), A Ó Murchú (St Vincent’s) for Ó Ceallacháin (60+2)

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE: K Flood (Ballygarvan): J Costello (Clonakilty), D Riordan (Kilworth), D Kingston (Mallow); MT Brosnan (Glen Rovers), C Connolly (Glen Rovers), M Murphy (Midleton); C Lawton (Midleton), J Murray (St Finbarr’s); J Hegarty (Ballinora), J O’Mahony (Glen Rovers), M Quill (Blackrock); B Hegarty (Ballinora), E O’Shea (Ballinhassig), S Hurley (Éire Óg).

Sub: B Power (Ballincollig) for Hegarty (52).

Referee: C McAllister (Aghada).