Corn Uí Mhuirí Final – Colaiste Chríost Rí win title

Colaiste Chríost Rí Cork defeated P.S. Chorca Dhuibhne Dingle by 1-12 to 1-7  on Sunday at the Dr. Crokes GAA grounds Killarney.

Match Coverage

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Críost Rí overcome early trauma

Coláiste Chríost Rí (Cork) 1-12 PS Chorca Dhuibhne (Dingle) 1-7

By Fintan O’Toole for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Monday, March 07, 2011

COLÁISTE Chríost Rí bridged a seven-year gap since their last Corn Uí Mhuirí triumph when they beat first-time finalists Pobal Scoil Chorca Dhuibhne in yesterday’s decider in Dr Crokes grounds in Killarney. They had too much in reserve for a spirited Chorca Dhuibhne team who were forced to play almost the entire game with the handicap of 14 men following the dismissal of wing-back Pádraig Ó Sé. The red card was brandished in Ó Sé’s direction after a rash challenge on Críost Rí midfielder Eoghan Finn in the opening seconds.

The incident overshadowed the tie as Finn lay stricken on the ground for 16 minutes where he received medical treatment after sustaining a blow to his head. There was huge concern for his well-being and he was taken by ambulance to Kerry General Hospital. But a relieved Críost Rí manager Aidan Moynihan revealed after the game that Finn had not incurred serious injuries. “Thankfully he’s fine, the word from the hospital is that he’s conscious. He has a suspected broken jaw and a bit of concussion. Initially when I saw his reaction to the tackle, I was quite worried. It was a mistimed tackle but a terrible one. I don’t hold a grudge against any fella for doing it as my concern was about Eoghan Finn. “Trying to get the other lads focused after he went off was tough as they were very upset. They’re a very tight bunch and Eoghan would be one of the jokers in the pack.”

Críost Rí’s afternoon ultimately culminated on a joyous note when they ran out victors with captain Kevin Fulignati dedicating the win is his victory speech to Finn and attacker Conor Horgan, who was ruled out after breaking his ankle while skiing last week. Críost Rí They were forced to work hard to shake off gritty challengers and the extra man advantage was pivotal in the finish. In addition they possessed the standout player in full-forward Luke Connolly who was in electric scoring form as he wound up with an impressive 0-9.

The long delay heavily impacted on the spectacle produced in the opening-half as players from both teams looked visibly shaken by the incident involving Finn. Being robbed of Ó’Sé from their defensive setup was a considerable setback for PS Chorca Dhuibhne and their woes wereexacerbated when full-back Colm Ó Gealbháin limped off with injury midway through the half as well. By the interval Críost Rí were 1-4 to 0-2 ahead and they looked in control of proceedings. The goal arrived in the 15th minute after a splendid counter-attack that was initiated by centre-back Tomas Lawrence when he fed Eoin McGreevy. The centre-forward raced forward before laying off to Connolly and after his drive was brilliantly blocked by goalkeeper Gavan Ó’Curráin, the rebound fell kindly for McGreevy to slot to the net.

Chorca Dhuibhne recovered superbly in the third quarter to surge back into contention. Midfielder Ryan Ó Beaglaoich, along with attacking duo Dara Ó Sé and Jack Ó Súilleabháin, spearheaded the PS Chorca Dhuibhne response. They received an early fillip when Tomás Ó Caomhánaigh found the net after he weaved through the Críost Rí defence in the 31st minute. PS Chorca Dhuibhne maintained that momentum throughout the third quarter and in the 41st minute Jack Ó Súilleabháin pushed them in front by 1-6 to 1-5 with a sublime point.

However, Críost Rí displayed admirable resolve to steady themselves and they closed out the match in a stirring fashion. Fulignati, Lawrence and 15-year old Stephen Cronin were in impressive form in defence, Shane O’Keeffe gave a towering display at midfield and Connolly began to cut loose in attack, as he struck all eight of Críost Rí’s second-half points. Connolly’s freetaking was exemplary and he fired five points in a row to leave Chríost Rí 1-10 to 1-6 in front by the 53rd minute. PS Chorca Dhuibhne pulled a point back through Seamus Ó’Diomsaigh yet with the outstanding Connolly knocking over another brace, Críost Rí could afford to see a late penalty by Connolly expertly tipped away by Dingle netminder Ó Curráin and still run out merited victors.

Scorers for Coláiste Chríost Rí: L Connolly 0-9 (five frees, two 45’s); E McGreevy 1-1; J Philpott 0-2 (two frees).

Scorers for PS Chorca Dhuibhne: T Ó’Caomhánaigh 1-2 (one free); S Ó’Diomsaigh 0-3 (two frees); D Ó’Sé, J Ó’Súilleabháin 0-1 each.

COLÁISTE CHRÍOST RÍ: J Kerins (St Finbarr’s); M Lyons (St Michael’s), K Fulignati (Nemo Rangers), D O’Keeffe (Nemo Rangers); E Dennehy (St Finbarr’s), T Lawrence (Brian Dillon’s), S Cronin (Nemo Rangers); S O’Keeffe (St Michael’s), E Finn (St Finbarr’s); A Nolan (St Michael’s), E McGreevy (St Finbarr’s), P Fitzgerald (Douglas); C Dalton (Nemo Rangers), L Connolly (Nemo Rangers), J Philpott (Nemo Rangers).

Subs: C Madden (St Finbarr’s) for Finn (inj) (1), I Lucey (Douglas) for O’Keeffe (39), G Joyce (Na Piarsaigh) for Madden (56).

PS CHORCA DHUIBHNE: G Ó Curráin (An Daingean); P Ó Dubháin (An Daingean), C Ó Gealbháin (Lispoil), C Ó Lúing (An Ghaeltacht); A Ó Raoill (Lispoil), P Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), P Ó Conchúir (An Daingean); R Ó Beaglaoich (An Daingean), E Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht); D de Brún (An Daingean), D Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), J Ó Súilleabháín (An Daingean); T Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), T Ó’Caomhánaigh (Lispoil), S Ó Diomsaigh (Lispoil).

Subs: M Ó Caomhánaigh (Lispoil) for Ó Gealbháin (inj) (21), S Ó Grifín (An Ghaeltacht) for de Brún (49).

Referee: Richard Moloney (Limerick)