O'Callaghan Cup: Gaelcoláiste Mhuire advance to the Dr O'Callaghan cup final with a late flurry of goals to beat Spioraid Naomh

Gaelcoláiste Mhuire AG 4-22

Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh 3-21

Gaelcoláiste Mhuire AG have qualified for the Dr O’Callaghan Cup decider after they defeated Coláiste Mhuire an Spioraid Naomh in the first semi-final on the 4G Pitch at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Wednesday morning.

Gaelcoláiste Mhuire will meet CBC or St Colman’s College, who play each other in the second semi-final on Friday.

This game was in the balance until the final whistle as Coláiste Mhuire an Mhainistir Thuaidh out-goaled Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh by two to one in the closing stages.

Approaching the final quarter, Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh got their second goal from a penalty, which had to be re-taken.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh opened the scoring with two points, including a free by James Naughton.

SJ Ó Dálaigh opened Gaelcoláiste Mhuire’s account with a point from play, but Callum Caplice restored Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh’s two-point advantage.

Lúcas Ó Muirthile added a point from play for Gaelcoláiste Mhuire.

This was followed by the game’s first pointed free by Craig Ó Suilleabháin, to level matters at three points apiece.

A point by Craig Ó Súilleabháin put Gaelcoláiste Mhuire into the lead for the first time in the contest.

This was cancelled out in the ninth minute when Conor O’Donoghue set up Neil Crowley for the game’s opening goal.

In the second quarter, CJ Barrett and Jamie Dineen tagged on points from play for Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh.

O’Donoghue chipped in with three frees. Josh Ó Brosnacaháin, Evan Mac Eochán, Donal Ó Scannláin and Ó Cofaigh each replied with points for Gaelcoláiste Mhuire. They also converted three frees.

A minute into stoppage time at the end of the first half, Ó Cofaigh won possession from Gaelcoláiste Mhuire’s puck-out to drill home his side’s first goal. This left Gaelcoláiste Mhuire leading 1-13 to 1-10 at half time. Barrett scored two points for Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh and O’Donoghue also converted a 65.

Ó Súilleabháin replied with three points from play for Gaelcoláiste Mhuire and Ó Cathasaigh also got a point.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh were awarded a penalty in the 42nd minute.

Naughton had his shot saved by Gaelcoláiste Mhuire’s net-mender Josh Ó Gabhláin.

The penalty had to be re-taken and Crowley got Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh’s second goal. Ó Cofaigh replied with a second goal for Gaelcoláiste Mhuire midway through the second half.

Deep into stoppage time, Ó Cofaig and Ó Muirthile got goals for Gaelcoláiste Mhuire. Naughton replied for Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh.

Scorers for Gaelcoláiste Mhuire: C Ó Cofaigh 2-2; C Ó Súilleabháin 1-6 (0-2f, 0-1 65); G Ó Ceallacháin 0-5 (0-2f); L Ó Muirthile 1-1; E Mac Eochán 0-3; J Ó Brosnacháin 0-2; T Ó Bruadau, SJ Ó Dálaigh, Ó Duibhir Ó hArrachtáin 0-1 each.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh: C O’Donoghue 0-9 (0-4f, 0-1 65); J Naughton 1-4 (0-2f); N Crowley 2-0 (1-0 pen); CJ Barrett 0-4; J Dineeen, A Cussen, D McGuirk, C Caplice 0-1 each.

Gaelcoláiste Mhuire: Ó Gabhláin (Glen Rovers); N Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), R Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), S Ó Laocha (St Vicnent’s) (Glen Rovers); SJ Ó Dálaigh (St Vincent’s), J Ó Brosnacháin (Glen Rovers), G Ó Duibhir Ó hArrachtáin (Na Piarsaigh); E Mac Eochán (Glen Rovers), T Ó Bruadau (St Vincent’s); J Ó Riain (An Blarna), C Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), G Ó Ceallacháin (Glen Rovers); C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh).

Subs: D De Barra (Douglas) for E Mac Eochán; E Ó Murchú (Glen Rovers) for R Ó Cróinín; R Ó Buachalla (Glen Rovers) for J Ó Riain; AJ Ó Murchú (St Vincent’s) for SJ Ó Dálaigh.

Coláiste an Spioraid Naomh: C O’Donovan (Ballinhassig); C Caplice (Bishopstown), C Walsh (Ballygarvan), D McGuirk (St Finbarr’s); S Young (Bishopstown), D Enright (Inniscarra), A Cussen (Ballinhassig); D Lyons (Ballinora), J Dineen (Inniscarra); B O’Brien (Bishopstown), C O’Donoghue (St Finbarr ’s), J Drinan (Ballinora); J Naughton (Douglas), N Crowley (Bishopstown), CJ Barrett (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: A Curley (St Finbarr’s) for O’Brien (54), S Laverty (Ballinora) for Dineen (60).

Referee: Michael O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).