Barryroe GAA

07 March, 2024

Report by Barry O'Mahony Echo 6/06/2024

Clonakilty Community College: 1-12 St Francis College Rochestown: 1-11 

CLONAKILTY Community College edged out St Francis College Rochestown in an entertaining Simcox Cup semi-final at Ovens on Wednesday afternoon. This last four encounter was an exciting affair between two teams who went at it right from the off in what were challenging weather conditions with a strong wind blowing across the pitch throughout the hour.

Both teams were down a number of key figures, but in what was a high standard game of football, it was Clonakilty who booked a spot in the final, when Seán Whelton calmly slotted the ball over the bar deep in injury time, which proved to be the winner.

Played on Éire Óg’s second pitch on Casey’s Road, Rochestown started this one brightly with a point after two minutes through Daniel McCarthy. Two minutes later the teams were level when Clonakilty’s Olan O’Donovan kicked a long range point, which was a super effort.

Cork U20 footballer Darragh Gough nudged the West Cork school in front, but in a lively opening, a Pádraig McGrath effort drew parity, 0-2 each after seven minutes. The sides traded white flags before O’Donovan landed a close range free for Clonakilty.

The West Cork school were marginally the better team at this juncture and a Gough point pushed his side two points clear. Rochestown were staying with their opposition, and a Tomás Vaughan effort cut the deficit down to a single point, 0-5 to 0-4 after 20 minutes. Vaughan converted an outstanding free from a difficult angle to draw the teams level once more.

A great team move involving Desmond Kenneally and Whelton resulted in Gough bisecting the posts for Clonakilty. Tempers flared, which resulted in a player from either team receiving a straight red card just before the break, Cathal Hallihan for Rochestown and Oisín Harrington for Clonakilty.

There were no further scores in the half as Clonakilty led 0-6 to 0-5 at the short whistle.

The teams were level two minutes into the second half when Vaughan clipped over a point for the city school. The same player nudged his team ahead before Gough tied up matters. An Eoin O’Flynn mark pushed Rochestown in front, before the impressive Gough billowed the back of the Rochestown net after 43 minutes, an excellent finish low into the corner of the net, 1-7 to 0-8.

Clonakilty kicked two of the next three points to lead 1-9 to 0-9 with ten minutes remaining. Points from Rochestown’s O’Flynn and Vaughan (free) left just a point in it. Clonakilty didn’t panic and white flags from O’Donovan and Timothy Cullinane pushed the West Cork school three points clear after 59 minutes.

Rochestown were then awarded a penalty in stoppage time when O’Flynn was brought down in the box. Vaughan stepped up and made no mistake. Extra time looked on the cards before Whelton pointed for his side, with the final whistle sounding seconds later.

Clonakilty will face Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in the final, with the Bishopstown based school going for back-to-back titles. Clonakilty will be aiming to win the competition for the first time ever. A date for the final will be confirmed in due course.

Scorers for Clonakilty Community College: D Gough 1-6 (0-1 f), O O’Donovan 0-3 (0-1 f), D Kenneally, T Cullinane, S Whelton 0-1 each.

St Francis College Rochestown: T Vaughan 1-6 (1-0 pen, 0-2 f), E O’Flynn 0-3 (0-1 f, 0-1 m), D McCarthy, P McGrath 0-1 each.

CLONAKILTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE: D Walsh (Clonakilty); O Blackburn (Clonakilty), S O’Regan (Clonakilty), K Hennessy (Ibane Gaels); D Moloney (Ibane Gaels), E Cullinane (St Mary’s), M Murphy (Clonakilty); C Twohig (Kilmeen), D Kenneally (Clonakilty); J Crowley (Ibane Gaels), T Cullinane (Owen Gaels), O Harrington (Kilmeen); D Gough (Clonakilty, capt), O O’Donovan (Ibane Gaels), S Whelton (St James’).

Subs: S Maguire (Castlehaven) for K Hennessy (47), C O’Mahony (Clonakilty) for J Crowley (59).

ST FRANCIS COLLEGE ROCHESTOWN: Joe Lyons (Nemo Rangers); T O’Brien (Nemo Rangers), N O’Shea (Nemo Rangers), S O’Rourke (Douglas); C O’Keeffe (Douglas, capt), J Burke (Douglas), C O’Neill (Nemo Rangers); D Reddington (Douglas), C Hallihan (Douglas); D McCarthy (Douglas), R Hanley (Douglas), C Yelland (Nemo Rangers); E O’Flynn (Douglas), T Vaughan (Carrigaline), P McGrath (Douglas).

Subs: Joe Lyons (Nemo Rangers) for D McCarthy, D O’Sullivan (Nemo Rangers) for P McGrath (both 45), R Sisk (Crosshaven) for N O’Shea (55, inj).

Referee: Brendan Barry Murphy (Aghabullogue).