CLONAKILTY CC 0-11

SKIBBEREEN CS 1-7

MATTHEW HURLEY REPORTS

DERBY day victory for Clonakilty Community College has left them in control of their own Corn Uí Mhuirí destiny, though progression to the knockouts is still not assured.

As St Brendan’s College beat Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig in the other Group 4 game, Clonakilty now sit top on four points with one round to go, with the Killarney and Ballincollig schools on two.

Skibbereen Community School prop up the table on zero points, but still have a chance to advance if they beat St Brendan’s in their final round game on November 26th.

Clonakilty CC boss Micheál ‘Haulie’ O’Sullivan is pleased with the team’s strong start, as they backed up the opening-round win against the Sem with another impressive display. Given the Clonakilty school didn’t make it out of their group last season, this is a welcome turnaround, but O’Sullivan insists the job is far from done. They play Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig on November 26th, and these two schools will meet in the Simcox Cup final after Clon beat DLS Macroom 2-8 to 1-7 this week; Sean Whelton kicked 0-5, while Tom Whooley and Jack Byerley scored the goals.

‘We’re very happy, but you need to build on it and get to the next stage. It would be a pity to get knocked out now,’ O’Sullivan told The Southern Star.

‘There could be a scenario where three teams end up on four points and it goes to scoring difference. Considering this game was so close and the Killarney game (0-15 to 0-11) was so close, you’re still in the balance.’

Skibbereen Community School's Danny O'Donovan cuts inside Clonakilty Community College's Oisin Harrington. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

In the end, it took an injury-time score from Jack Byerley to win the derby in rain-drenched Rosscarbery. In the 61st minute, Skibb looked to have rescued a draw when Dan McCarthy kicked an incredible two-pointer to make it 0-10 to 1-7. But Clon launched one more attack, and after a free from Seán Whelton dropped short, Byerley spun his marker and fired over the winner.

Clon had led 0-8 to 0-3 after 40 minutes before a point from sub Cathal Daly and a Luke O’Sullivan goal sparked Skibb into life. But Clon didn’t panic, and points from Mike Collins and Byerley kept them in control before the late drama. Clon manager O’Sullivan praised his team for sticking at it.

‘Great composure from Jack, in fairness. Seán probably should have stuck the free before it, but we worked the ball well, considering the conditions, to get it into a scoring position,’ O’Sullivan explained.

‘Look, we’re delighted with the win. We have four points on the board going into the last round. It’s a long time since we have been in a position where we are in control of our own destiny. We’re delighted, but it was hard luck on Skibb, to be honest.

‘It’s always one point either way or a draw between Skibb and Clon. We would be disappointed because we were in control of that game for long stretches, even with the bad conditions. Conceded a goal and Skibb got their tails up. They could have easily got a draw or even beaten us.’

Clonakilty Community College's Jerry O'Leary holds off Skibbereen Community School's Matthew Murphy. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Largely due to the pouring rain and horrid conditions, the game wasn’t a high-scoring affair. Skibb boss James McCarthy credited the quality on display in this schools’ encounter.

‘Great character shown by the two teams. The game could have gone either way in the end. We would have taken a draw. I’m proud of the lads for what they have put in. We knew we were going to be up against a good Clon team and they could go further. I hope they do as well because West Cork football needs that,’ McCarthy said.

Skibbereen can take plenty of encouragement from a confidence-boosting second half, as they outscored Clon 1-5 to 0-6 and showed real battling qualities. It’s a must-win next time out against St Brendan’s College, but given that Clon beat the Kerry school by four points, Skibb will not fear them.

‘We were disappointed with our first-half performance in the forwards. We were better in the second half,’ McCarthy added.

‘We worked on a bit of patience in training to get the kickers at the end of the move, which was shown with Dan’s two-pointer. It was a hard day to be a forward, the inside forwards especially, but the two-pointers were vital there. Every score was gold.’

Key performers stood out on both sides, but it was Clon’s Jason Murray, from Kilmeen, who caught the eye in the first half, with his 0-3 before the break helping his school to a 0-5 to 0-2 lead. Niall O’Callaghan hit back for Skibb in the second period, but Byerley, Conrad Murphy and Mike Collins pushed Clon further ahead before the chaos of the closing moments.

Scorers

Clonakilty CC: Jack Byerley, Jason Murray (1 2pt) 0-3 each; Sean Whelton, Mike Collins 0-2 each; Conrad Murphy 0-1.

Skibbereen CS: Luke O’Sullivan 1-1; Dan McCarthy 0-2 (2 pt); Danny O’Donovan, Odhran Herlihy, Niall O’Callaghan, Cathal Daly 0-1.

Clonakilty CC: Rory Twohig (Kilmeen); Oisin Harrington (do), Howard O’Donovan (do), Tim Bailey (do); Jerry O’Leary (Ballinascarthy), Dylan Harrington (Clonakilty), Olan Murphy (Kilmeen); Mike Collins (Ibane Gaels), Eanna Deiseach (Clonakilty); David Harte (do), Sean Whelton (St James), Jason Murray (Kilmeen); Jack Byerley (Clonakilty), Conrad Murphy (Ibane Gaels), Jamie Collins (do).

Subs: James Maguire (Castlehaven) for D Harrington (37, inj); Eric Hicks (Carbery Rangers) for J Collins (45); Andrew McCarthy (Ballinascarthy) for J O'Leary (46); Tadhg O’Brien (Kilmeen) for D Harte (53).

Skibbereen CS: Adam Limrick (Castlehaven); Donagh Courtney (Castlehaven), Alan Daly (O'Donovan Rossa), Neil McCarthy (do); Matthew Murphy (do), James Goulding (do), Aaron Dempsey (do); Paddy Collins (Ilen Rovers), Niall O’Callaghan (Castlehaven); Odhran Herlihy (O'Donovan Rossa), Danny O’Donovan (Castlehaven), Will O’Donovan (Clann na nGael); Dan McCarthy (Castlehaven), Kevin O’Donovan (O'Donovan Rossa), Luke O’Sullivan (do).

Subs: Cathal Daly (Ilen Rovers) for W O’Donovan, Eamon O’Donovan (Castlehaven) for O Herlihy (both 38); Adam O’Donovan (Tadhg MacCarthaigh) for K O’Donovan (45); Ronan Collins (O'Donovan Rossa) for M Murphy (53); Dylan O’Donoghue (Castlehaven) for N McCarthy (54).

Referee: Liam O’Shea (Carbery Rangers).