Simcox Cup final: Seán Whelton stars as Clonakilty Community College cruise to win over Coláiste Choilm
Clonakilty Community College's Sean Whelton bursting past Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig's Peter Rose during the Cork Colleges Simcox cup final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
The foundations were laid in the first half, and Clonakilty Community College never looked back as they cruised to Simcox Cup victory on Friday evening against Coláiste Choilm.
This season continues to get better and better for Clon. Not only are they heading into the new year with a Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-final on the agenda, now they’ve added some silverware to go with it – won where else but SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh – a first for the Simcox Cup.
Such an occasion as playing at the home of Cork GAA can be daunting. But not for Clon captain Seán Whelton.
The St James’ clubman kicked 0-11 including three orange flags, as the West Cork school built up a first-half lead that Coláiste Choilm could not erode. And if Whelton carried the scoring burden, the foundations were laid further back. Dylan Harrington was immense, and Rory Twohig a wall between the posts.
With Coláiste Choilm seven behind at the break having played the first half against a stiff breeze, the fact they trimmed the deficit down to four within five minutes of the second half hinted that this one may not be so comfortable for Clon.
But by the 40th minute, Clon’s lead had returned to five after Whelton frees kept them in control, 0-12 to 0-7.
When Miskellas, Danny and Joe, shared 0-3 for Cólaiste Choilm over the next five minutes – including a second stunning two-pointer from Joe – the margin sat at three with 14 minutes to play. Enter Tom Whooley and Whelton.
By the 55th minute, Clon had pushed their lead out to three again, and it was clear that gap wouldn’t be closed without a major. Sub Cathal Murphy was first to go for it, his effort saved twice, by Callum Collins and then goalkeeper Rory Twohig, before going over the bar.
After Whelton pushed Clon’s lead back out to six, Danny Miskella had three goal attempts in the closing minutes repelled by Twohig.
Clon had been impenetrable all evening, from the 15th second. Danny Miskella’s driving run and shot at goal was kept out by Twohig within seconds of throw-in, and though he would be tested again 10 minutes later – this time from Kevin O’Leary – the outcome was the same. No way through for Coláiste Choilm.
At that stage, the score was 0-3 to 0-1 in favour of Clon – after Whelton kicked his first of three first-half two-pointers in the 11th minute, James Maguire teeing him up for the first long-ranger that powered Clon ahead.
He landed his next one from a free in the 20th minute, and while Colm Herlihy set up Danny Miskella for a white flag in response, Tom Whooley answered seconds later before Whelton landed another beauty, pushing the Clon lead out to seven, 0-8 to 0-2 after 24 minutes.
With Clon continuing to dominate possession and the opportunities in front of goal, Luke O’Mahony’s 27th-minute point was a desperately needed one for Coláiste Choilm, but Conrad Murphy worked a neat pass to Whooley to give Clon the last score of the half and put them in a commanding seven-point lead.
They would face a flicker of danger, but anything Cólaiste Choilm threw up, Clon had the answer for.
S Whelton 0-11 (2 tp, 0-4 f, 1 tpf), T Whooley 0-3, D Harrington, J Murray, E Hicks 0-1 each.
J Miskella 0-4 (2 tp), D Miskella 0-3 (0-2 f), L O’Mahony 0-2, C Murphy, SP Murphy 0-1 each.
R Twohig (Kilmeen); O Harrington (Kilmeen), H O’Donovan (Kilmeen), T Bailey (Kilmeen); J O’Leary (Ballinascarty), D Harrington (Clonakilty), O Murphy (Kilmeen); M Collins (Ibane Gaels), J Maguire (Castlehaven); D Harte (Clonakilty), S Whelton (St James) (c), J Murray (Kilmeen); T Whooley (Clonakilty), C Murphy (Ibane Gaels), E Hicks (Carbery Rangers).
J Byerley (Clonakilty) for Hicks (51), C Collins (Ibane Gaels) for D Harrington (53), J Collins (Ibane Gaels) for Murphy (57 inj), A McCarthy (Ballinascarthy) for Maguire (58), R O’Donovan (Ibane Gaels) for Whelton (60+1).
N Tait (Éire Óg); D Sheehan (Éire Óg), P Rose (Ballincollig), E O’Donovan (Ballincollig); C Herlihy (Inniscarra), C O’Connor (Ballincollig), A Rose (Ballincollig); K O’Leary (Ballincollig) (c), B Cronin (Ballincollig); M Delaney (Ballincollig), C Ahern (Ballincollig), SP Murphy (Éire Óg); D Miskella (Ballincollig), L O’Mahony (Ballincollig), J Miskella (Ballincollig).
R Coakley (Éire Óg) for Delaney (45), C Murphy (Éire Óg) for Herlihy (53).
B Coniry (Crosshaven)
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