St Kieran’s College 2-12

St Colman’s College, Fermoy 1-12

The Junior All Ireland Colleges Final took place in the Sports Grounds, Clonmel, December 4th. Conditions were dry but difficult under foot. St Kieran’s started nervously taking a while to settle. St Colman’s took an early lead through free taker Conleith Ryan (2). Kieran’s responded with four unanswered points- two from freetaker Eoin Cody and one each from Ciarán Brennan and Cian Kenny.  

St Kieran’s led after ten minutes, 0-4 to 0-2. St Kieran’s continued to dominate up to the midway stage of the first half racing into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead. Then St Colman’s took control of the game and following a great goal by full forward Padraig O’Leary in the 15^th minute, they added 3 more points to lead by 1-6 to 0-6 after 24 minutes. Kieran’s showed their character and  resolve, Eoin Cody goaded to level the scores. With St Colman’s dominating the middle third of the field at this stage they steadied and scored three more points before half time to leave the scores 1-9 to 1-7 after a very entertaining and open first half.

The second half was low scoring compared to the first half. Although St Colman’s scored first to stretch into a three point lead it was clear that St Kieran’s were enjoying more possession and beginning to dominate. Harry Walsh was introduced at half time and with Mark Nolan moved to midfield St Kieran’s began to gain control. This dominance lead to a wonderful goal by Ciarán Brennan in the 37^th minute to level the scores again. With the teams still level entering the last quarter it was all to play for. It was at this stage, as it so often has been over the years that St Kieran’s made the decisive break for home. Eoin Cody scored two excellent points from play showing real leadership up front. With the St Kieran’s backs now on top, St Kieran’s pushed home the advantage to race into a four point lead with minutes to go. St Colman’s were excellent all day and never gave up but try as they might, it was to be yet another great day on the hurling field for St Kieran’s College as the Niall McInerney Cup returns to St Kieran’s once more to sit alongside the Croke Cup captured earlier this year by the seniors.   

Scorers

St Kieran’s: Eoin Cody 1-7 (5 frees), Ciarán Brennan 1-1, Cian Kenny 0-1, G Murphy 0-1

St Colman’s: Conleith Ryan 0-7 (frees), Brian Roche 0-3, Padraig O’Leary 1-0, Eoin Roche 0-1, Patrick O’Flynn 0-1

St Kieran’s College 

Dean Mason (Ballyhale Shamrocks), David Fogarty (O’Loughlin Gaels), Conor Murphy (Bennetsbridge), Padraig O’Neill (Young Irelands), Padraic Moylan (Dicksboro), Jamie Young (O’Loughlin Gaels), Mark Nolan (Dicksboro), Conor Kelly (O’Loughlin Gaels), Darragh Corcoran (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Aaron Brennan (Graigue Ballycallan), Dacel Fwamba (O’Loughlin Gaels), Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Cian Kenny (James Stephens), Ciarán Brennan (Bennetsbridge), George Murphy (Rower Inistioge), Harry Walsh (Dunnamaggin), Danny Coyne (Bennetsbridge), Martin O’Connell (Clara), Dylan Carey (Young Irelands), Ruarí Breen (Barrow Rangers), Darragh Maher (St Lachtain’s), Jack Roche (John Lockes), Conor Hoban (Dunnamaggin), Jim Kehoe (Clara), Killian Rudkins (Barrow Rangers), Eric Kearney (James Stephens), Peter O’Donoghue (Danesfort), Liam Fennelly (James Stephens), Dáire O’Neil (Danesfort), Aod O’Connor (James Stephens), Ciarán Mullen (Danesfort), Tom Bolger (Bennetsbridge).