Colaiste na Sceilge retain their O'Sullivan Cup title
Colaiste na Sceilge team who defeated CBS Tralee in the Kerry Colleges O'Sullivan Cup final at Milltown on Thursday. Credit: PICTURES: MICHELLE COOPER GALVIN
COLAISTE na Sceilge gave their Corn Ui Mhuiri prospects a welcome preChristmas boost when they retained their O'Sullivan Cup title with a hardearned but deserved victory over Tralee CBS in Milltown.
Retaining the core of the team – especially in the forward division – of the team that won this title 12 months ago, Colaiste na Sceilge carried the greater threat up front but they struggled to shake of a determined Tralee CBS side who battled gamely to the end. Indeed, Tralee enjoyed the more fruitful start to the contest and only a terrible defensive error allowed Colaiste na Sceilge gain a foothold in the match just before half time.
Thanks in the main to the energies of Kieran Hurley in attack, who was well supported by James Walsh at midfield and Nathan Muprhy who played a roving role around the middle third, Tralee CBS led 0-3 to 0-1 after 12 minutes and by 0-5 to 0-2 by the 21st minute, with Murphy claiming two points.
However, Barry O'Dwyer's 29th minute strike, set up by Stephen O'Dwyer after Ian McCarthy had his defensive clearance intercepted, undid all of Tralee's early efforts as it levelled matters at 1-2 to 0-5. And somewhat against the run of play the Cahersiveen school took a one-point lead to the interval after Eanna O'Connor converted a free kick he earned himself.
Nonetheless, Colaiste na Sceilge had shown signs of their better balance and cohesion, with Max Thiemann providing the platform at midfield and the O'Dwyers speed of movement and thought complemented by the excellent Ian Galvin who ran hard at the Tralee defence throughout.
Seven minutes into the second half Colaiste na Sceilge had turned around that first half three-point deficit into a three point lead, thanks to a brace of points from midfielder Ciaran Keating, as the holders began to assert their superiority on the contest.
James Walsh's point kept Tralee in touch but Colaiste na Sceilge responded with another Eanna O'Connor free in the 40th minute, before Barry O'Dwyer engineered an excellent score to push the champions four points clear, 1-7 to 0-6.
It looked as if na Sceilge had taken complete control of the contest at this stage, but a moment on complaceny in their rearguard was punished by James Walsh who placed Kieran Hurley to slip the ball low past Damien Horgan to leave The Green trailing by just a point with nine minutes left.
With the ante now firmly upped Tralee sensed a game there for the taking but most of these Colaiste na Sceilge players have been in tighter corners – recall their dramatic Hogan Cup final win earlier this year.
Stephen O'Dwyer restored a two-point lead for the defending champions, and though Hurley crafted another beautiful point in the 57th minute but substitute Denis Daly had the last word with his injury-time point securing the win and the title.
