Munster Vocational Schools’ SFC ‘A’ Final – Clonakilty Community College 1-10 Coachford College 0-6

Three-in-a-row delight for impressive Clonakilty

Clonakilty Community College 1-10 Coachford College 0-6

By Therese O’Callaghan of the Irish Examiner newspaper

Thursday, January 27, 2011

CLONAKILTY Community College won a third successive Munster Vocational Schools’ SFC ‘A’ title at Brinny yesterday. The All-Ireland champions, who can now look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final date against the Connacht winners, were in top form as they overcame a Coachford side seeking its first provincial win. Clonakilty gave an impressive all-round team performance, particularly in the second 30 minutes when they turned over with what could have been a vulnerable four-point lead facing into a gale force wind. But they coped brilliantly.

Coachford will be hugely disappointed they only managed to bag two points after the break, while Clonakilty, as well as defending stoutly, added five points — all in the third quarter. Clonakilty CC set out their stall early with the strong wind behind them when Martin O’Donovan netted on six minutes after being set up by James Hayes and midfielder Kevin Cormican. The long ball was proving beneficial and with a hard-working attack they led 1-3 to 0-1 after the opening quarter. However, Coachford College were still competing very favourably and courtesy of their main target man John Corkery at full-forward were just a goal behind nearing the end of the half. Had they not spurned a goal opportunity on 30 minutes they might have coped after the change-over. They turned 1-5 to 0-4 behind, but had much to play for.

But, it was Clonakilty CC who restarted with far greater intensity. Gearóid Barry raised the white flag inside 60 seconds and the same player was unfortunate not to have finished a goal move. Still, they piled on all the pressure with two massive points from Fiachra O’Connell and top scorer Cillian Cullinane. Meanwhile, Corkery opened Coachford’s second-half count on 40 minutes with a free. To their credit, Coachford College defended bravely and full praise to full-back Robert Daly who denied Clonakilty a certain second goal. However, by the 45th minute, Clonakilty CC had knocked over another couple of frees to move 1-10 to 0-5 ahead. They didn’t score again, their energies directed at confining Coachford to a solitary pointed free.

Scorers for Clonakilty CC: C Cullinane 0-5 (0-4 frees), M O’Donovan 1-0, G Barry and A O’Donovan (frees) 0-2 each, F O’Connell 0-1.

Scorers for Coachford: J Corkery 0-5 (0-4 frees), S Healy 0-1.

CLONAKILTY CC: A Collins; F Butler, D Nyhan, J Barrett; C Hennessy, J Ryan (capt), G O’Brien; K Cormican, E Hartnett; M O’Donovan, G Barry, F O’Connell; C Cullinane, J Hayes, A O’Donovan.

Subs: S McCarthy for M O’Donovan, D McCarthy for C Cullinane, A O’Sullivan for F Butler (all 59 mins).

COACHFORD COLLEGE: M O’Donovan; A Hogan, R Daly, B Crowley; D O’Sullivan, D O’Connor, S Kelleher; A Barry-Murphy, S Daly; L Cogan, S Healy, P Fitzgibbon; E O’Sullivan, J Corkery, P O’Connell.

Subs: G O’Rourke for E O’Sullivan (20 inj), D Barry for P Fitzgibbon (22), S O’Connor for D Barry (45).

Referee: D O’Farrell (Mitchelstown)

* Tomorrow’s Munster JFC semi-final between St. Brogan’s, Bandon and Clonakilty CC has been postponed.