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Hammies strike late to clinch Dr Herlihy Cup

May 22nd, 2016 10:30 AM

By Southern Star Team

Hammies strike late to clinch Dr Herlihy Cup Image
Top of the class: The Hamilton High School team that defeated Clonakilty Community College in the Dr Michael Herlihy Cup final at Drimoleague on Saturday evening.(Photo: Paddy Feen)

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There was late drama as reigning champions, Hamilton High School, Bandon, successfully defended the Dr Michael Herlihy Post-Primary First Years’ Cup at Drimoleague.

Hamilton HS               2-12

Clonakilty CC         2-10

WEST CORK GAEL REPORTS

 

THERE was late drama as reigning champions, Hamilton High School, Bandon, successfully defended the Dr Michael Herlihy Post-Primary First Years’ Cup at Drimoleague last Saturday.

Two late points from full forward Conor Hogan and Charlie Long for the winners saw the Bandon school defeat Clonakilty Community College in the final for the second year in a row.

Clonakilty hit the ground running and with Lorcan O’Leary and Conal Cullinane excelling they forged ahead, a cracking goal by O’Leary in the sixth minute opening up an 1-3 to 0-1 advantage. 

But with Cork U14 duo, Cian McCarthy (the Bandon skipper) and Seamus O’Sullivan beginning to wrest the pendulum of supremacy around the middle of the park, allied to the unerring free-taking of Charlie Long and the industry of defenders Sean Henchion, Colm O’Donovan and Sean Healy, the deficit had been cut, 1-4 to 0-6, as the interval loomed. 

Then Clonakilty seemed to get a major breakthrough, as after powerful full forward Harry Oates was grounded following fabulous approach play by Ben Lovell, from the resultant penalty Oates made no mistake, to make it 2-4 to 0-6 at the break. 

Victorious Bandon assistant coach John O’Sullivan now takes up the running, as he said: ‘It was a very close game of top-notch football. Clonakilty were excellent, but we gave our lads a good talking to at half time. 

It seemed to have the desired effect, that goal about six minutes from the end (the second scored by star midfielder Cian McCarthy) seemed to change things around. 

‘It got us back into the game. It was then a case of picking off a few points and holding off Clonakilty’.

O’Sullivan was spot on in his analysis, but also a purple scoring burst inside the opening three minutes of the second half when the Hammies shot an unanswered 1-3 – the goal again smashed home by Cian McCarthy – proved crucial to the result. 

Best for a hard-trying Clonakilty were Ruairi O’Brien, Ben Lovell, Jack Lawton, Jack Peet, Conal Cullinane, another Cork U14 prodigy, and Harry Oates. 

Hamilton High had heroes in the aforementioned defenders, the midfield duo and up front free-taker Charlie Long, Cathal Lynch, Roy O’Driscoll and substitute Edmund Kenneally. 

After the match Barry Herlihy presented the cup to Cian McCarthy, captain of Hamilton High School Bandon.

Scorers:Hamilton High School: Cian McCarthy 2-2 (1f); Charlie Long 0-4 (3f); Edmund Kenneally 0-2; Cathal Lynch, Roy O’Driscoll, Seamus O’Sullivan, Conor Hogan 0-1 each.

Clonakilty Community School: Harry Oates 1-3 (1-0 penalty, 1f); Lorcan O’Leary 1-3 (3f); Conal Cullinane 0-3 (1f); Eoghan Ferguson 0-1.

 

Hamilton High School: Sean Egan (Valley Rovers); Colm Sheehan (Kilbrittain), Gavin Kenny (Kilbrittain), Sean Henchion (Ibane Gaels); Padraig Healy (St Oliver Plunkett’s), Conor Twomey (Bandon), Colm O’Donovan (Newcestown); Cian McCarthy (St Oliver Plunkett’s), Seamus O’Sullivan (Newcestown); Roy O’Driscoll (St Oliver Plunkett’s), Charlie Long (Bandon), Cathal Lynch (Bandon); Daithi O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers), Conor Hogan (Kilbrittain), Gavin Lowney (Bandon).

Subs used: Edmund Kenneally (Newcestown), James Crowley (Ahán Gaels).

Clonakilty Community College: James O’Donovan (Clonakilty); Fergal Walsh (Ibane Gaels), Ruairi O’Brien (Pedlar’s Cross), Cian Murphy (Kilmeen); John Sheehy (Ibane Gaels), Jack Murphy (Kilmeen), Ben Lovell (Pedlar’s Cross);Jack Lawton (Ibane Gaels), Dan Peet (Clonakilty); Eoghan Ferguson (Pedlar’s Cross), Conal Cullinane (Pedlar’s Cross), Sean Walsh (Ibane Gaels); Lorcan O’Leary (Ibane Gaels), Harry Oates (Carbery Rangers), Cristoir Hayes (Carbery Rangers).

Sub used: Mark Keohane (Kilmeen). 

Referee: Seamus O’Driscoll (Ilen Rovers). 

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