Corn Uí Mhuirí: Sluggish Clonakilty bow out after defeat to Clonmel

CBS High School Clonmel: 1-6 (1-0-6) 

Clonakilty Community College: 0-5 (0-0-5) 

A more determined CBS High School Clonmel side proved too strong for Clonakilty Community College in the Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-final at a wet Páirc Uí Rinn on Wednesday afternoon.

Clon had come into this knockout game on the back of winning their three group games and also claimed the Simcox Cup, but they were unable to show that kind of form in this one.

It took them quite a considerable amount of time to settle with their first and only score of the first half coming after 15 minutes. It probably was the score of the match too from Tom Whooley.

That sluggish start ultimately is what cost them despite an improved display in the second 30 minutes.

The West Cork team will be bitterly disappointed with how their campaign has fizzled out as their aim of reaching the semi-final juncture for the first time since 2019 comes to an end.

Micheál O’Sullivan’s side were slow out of the traps with patient play paying dividends for Clonmel as they netted a goal after two minutes through a close range finish from Aaron McAndrew following good work by Luke Foley.

The Tipperary outfit totally dominated possession especially in the early stages and it was reflected on the scoreboard with points from Foley (free) and Mikey McGuire.

An inspirational point from Clonakilty forward Whooley after a quarter of the game should have been the score to awake them from their slumber. It didn’t prove to be the case, for the first half anyway.

In what was a flat encounter with mistakes on both sides albeit the weather did turn for the worse with heavy rainfall, Clonmel finished the opening 30 minutes with a bit of a swagger. The goalscorer McAndrew and McGuire with white flags as Clonmel led 1-4 to 0-1 at the interval.

Clonakilty required a strong start to the new half if they wanted an opportunity of winning the game, and while they had more possession, it didn’t materialise into many scores. 

The first score of the second half arrived after 41 minutes when Oisín Harrington came up from defence to point for Clonakilty, 1-4 to 0-2.

The sides traded points with Clonakilty sub Jack Byerley getting a nice score. He made an impact when introduced. 

Scores were hard to come by in what was a scrappy game. With five minutes remaining, a Jerry O’Leary effort did cut the Clon deficit down to four points, which could have easily been a goal.

A Conor Freaney effort ensured Clonmel had a 1-6 to 0-4 buffer going into added time.

Harrington slotted over his second point, but it was a mere consolation for Clonakilty.

Scorers for CBS High School Clonmel: A McAndrew 1-1, M McGuire 0-2, L Foley (f), C Freaney, D McCormack (f) 0-1 each.

Clonakilty Community College: O Harrington 0-2, T Whooley, J Byerley, J O’Leary 0-1 each.

CBS HIGH SCHOOL CLONMEL: J O’Brien; J Lyons, R Galko, H Lawlor; L Hannigan (joint-capt), A Ryan, P Spelman; M McGuire (joint-capt), L Foley; A McAndrew, K Smith, B Morrisson; C Freaney, F Napier, D McCormack.

Subs: J Yousif for D McCormack (44), C Morrisson for F Napier (56), J Kealy for B Morrisson (59), D Ryan for A McAndrew (64).

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’, capt), J Murray (Kilmeen); T Whooley (Clonakilty), J Maguire (Castlehaven), E Hicks (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: J Byerley (Clonakilty) for E Hicks, C Collins (Ibane Gaels) for D Harrington (inj), C Murphy (Ibane Gaels) for D Harte (all h-t), R O’Donovan (Ibane Gaels) for E Déiseach (40), A McCarthy (Ballinascarthy) for J O’Leary (59).

Referee: Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers).