Jack Byerley kicks late winner as Clonakilty pip Skibbereen in difficult weather conditions

Clonakilty Community College: 0-11 (0-1-9) 

Skibbereen Community School: 1-7 (1-1-5) 

Jack Byerley was the match-winner as Clonakilty Community College pipped West Cork rivals Skibbereen Community School in the Corn Uí Mhuirí on Wednesday afternoon.

Played in dreadful weather conditions at rain-lashed Rosscarbery, this Group 4 Round 2 encounter looked like only going one way for large parts. Micheál O’Sullivan’s team were the likely winners, leading by five points at one stage in the second half, but their opposition grew into the game and a Dan McCarthy two-pointer looked to have grabbed a share of the spoils for Skibbereen.

Clonakilty are made of stern stuff though and showed their quality with a patient team move resulting in Byerley, who impressed for the Cork minor footballers this year, to point right at the end.

They are in the box seat to secure a passage into the knockout stages going into the final round of group games in two weeks. They face Coláiste Choilm knowing a positive result will be enough to advance.

Skibbereen are without any points from their two games, but still have a glimmer of hope of qualifying.

Clonakilty didn’t show the same stylish performance as their opening day win over St Brendan’s, but when they needed to stand up late on, they did.

They landed the first point after five minutes through Seán Whelton after Byerley did well to set him up.

It was cancelled out by a Danny O’Donovan effort three minutes later as Skibbereen drew level.

The sides traded points in what was a scrappy and disjointed opening quarter with heavy rain falling throughout.

Clonakilty took a grip after an even start as Jason Murray raised a white flag before landing a brilliant two-pointer from play, 0-5 to 0-2 after 25 minutes.

In the only goal opportunity in the first half, Whelton, who made Clonakilty tick over the course of the hour, saw his effort come back off the post just before the short whistle, 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time.

Skibbereen required a positive opening to the new half and a Niall O’Callaghan point was a positive start.

Three unanswered points from Clonakilty looked to have put them in a strong position. Byerley, Conrad Murphy and Mike Collins with the scores.

But sub Cathal Daly made an instant impact for Skibbereen with a neat point followed by a Luke O’Sullivan goal as he finished low into the net, 0-8 to 1-4 after 41 minutes.

Micheál O’Sullivan’s team responded well to the setback, kicking two of the next three points.

Mike Collins, who was excellent in midfield for the eventual winners, slotted over a fantastic effort. It was the pick of those scores.

It was 0-10 to 1-5 with 14 minutes remaining, but the next score wouldn’t arrive until added time. It looked like a huge one for Skibbereen in so many ways when Dan McCarthy raised an orange flag.

It looked like a draw was on the cards and for Skibbereen’s effort and display in the last quarter, they would have deserved it.

But deep into added time, Byerley came up with the winning score as he bisected the posts.

Scorers for Clonakilty Community College: J Murray (1 2pt), J Byerley 0-3 each, M Collins, S Whelton 0-2 each, C Murphy 0-1.

Skibbereen Community School: L O’Sullivan 1-1, D McCarthy 0-2 (1 2pt), N O’Callaghan, O Herlihy, D O’Donovan, C Daly 0-1 each.

CLONAKILTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE: R Twohig (Kilmeen); O Harrington (Kilmeen), H O’Donovan (Kilmeen), T Bailey (Kilmeen); J O’Leary (Ballinascarthy), D Harrington (Clonakilty), O Murphy (Kilmeen); M Collins (Ibane Gaels), E Déiseach (Clonakilty); D Harte (Clonakilty), S Whelton (St James’), J Murray (Kilmeen); J Byerley (Clonakilty), C Murphy (Ibane Gaels), J Collins (Ibane Gaels).

Subs: J Maguire (Castlehaven) for D Harrington (36, inj), E Hicks (Carbery Rangers) for J Collins (44), A McCarthy (Ballinascarthy) for J O’Leary (46), T O’Brien (Kilmeen) for D Harte (53).

SKIBBEREEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL: A Limrick (Castlehaven); D Courtney (Castlehaven), A Daly (O’Donovan Rossa), N McCarthy (O’Donovan Rossa); M Murphy (O’Donovan Rossa), J Goulding (O’Donovan Rossa), A Dempsey (O’Donovan Rossa); P Collins (Ilen Rovers), N O’Callaghan (Castlehaven); O Herlihy (O’Donovan Rossa), D O’Donovan (Castlehaven), W O’Donovan (Clann na nGael); D McCarthy (Castlehaven), K O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa), L O’Sullivan (O’Donovan Rossa).

Subs: C Daly (Ilen Rovers) for O Herlihy, E O’Donovan (Castlehaven) for W O’Donovan (both 39), A O’Donovan (Tadhg MacCarthaigh) for K O’Donovan (40), R Collins (O’Donovan Rossa) for M Murphy (52), D O’Donoghue (Castlehaven) for N McCarthy (54).

Referee: Liam O’Shea (Carbery Rangers).