Mon fight back to claim victory over CBC in spicy Harty Cup Cork derby

A northside derby of sustained edge and spice went the way of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG.

The Mon’s full-time outburst of emotion – from both players and teaching staff – captured the worth and importance of this victory over their near neighbours.

In what was just the second time the two schools on the northside of Cork city had run into each other in the Harty Cup, this was the first occasion Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG had claimed local spoils.

Following on as it does from their comprehensive O’Callaghan Cup final win over the Sidney Hill establishment last spring, the balance of power in that raised pocket of Cork city now firmly rests up Monastery Road. And oh did they celebrate such at Cathal McAllister’s final whistle.

It wasn’t just local pride at stake here, mind. With neither having managed victory on the opening day – Christians lost, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG drew – both sides required a victory to both restart their campaign and stave off early elimination.

The two-point victory for Tomás Ó Mainnín’s students lifts them to three points in the Group 4 table and in a healthy position to advance to January’s quarter-finals. For Christians, this second successive defeat means they cannot now finish in the top half of Group 4. Progression has moved beyond reach.

After falling 1-2 to 0-1 behind inside six minutes, Christians proceeded to reel off 2-6 without reply – provided by seven different players – to hold a commanding 2-7 to 1-2 lead by the 13th minute.

Eoghan O’Shea, from a free, banged in their opening goal. Sean Hurley sniped their second off a delivery broken down to him by Ben Hegarty.

In a free-scoring and thoroughly enjoyable first-half, which Christians finished 2-14 to 2-11 in front, they registered not a single wide.

A couple of converted placed-balls from Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin and Craig Ó Súilleabháin began the Mon’s road back into contention midway through the first half. That journey was fast-tracked when a Josh Ó Brosnacháin delivery was not dealt with at the edge of the Christians square and Callum Ó Cofaigh, who had a brilliant duel throughout with David Kingston, blasted to the net.

A couple of yellow cards were flashed early in the second half to deal with what would be most accurately described as a shemozzle. It was the sole flashpoint throughout, albeit the edge to proceedings and verbals flowing in either direction were far more sustained in their prevalence.

The prominent Trevor Ó Bruadau, Ó Súilleabháin, and Ó Brosnacháin brought Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG level at 2-14 apiece by the 41st minute. Christians, by this juncture, had tallied their opening wide, along with two more, and a fourth effort short.

James Murray opened their second half account also on 41 minutes, but a pair from Ó Súilleabháin and Ó Cofaigh shoved the Mon ahead for the first time since the ninth minute.

An Eoghan O’Shea brace to leave the scoreline reading 2-17 to 2-16 on 48 minutes represented the last occasion Christians would lead. In the 29 minutes after half-time, they managed just four white flags.

The latest Mon three-in-a-row from Ryan Ó Cróinín, Ó Súilleabháin, and Ó Ceallacháin opened up a two-point gap – 2-19 to 2-17 – with eight minutes remaining. A two-point gap that would also stand as the difference at game’s end.

Christians twice reduced the deficit to the minimum. No equaliser was found. They were made to work ferociously hard for an opening, never mind a flag. The basics of hooking and blocking were executed superbly by the students in white and blue, exemplified by corner-back Nathan Ó Cofaigh.

Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin’s sixth free and eighth overall was the injury-time clincher.

Although unbeaten after two outings, the likelihood is that last year’s semi-finalists will still need to mine some sort of a result in their final group outing against Templemore on account of Tulla, who they drew with three weeks ago, facing a Christians side with nothing to play for.

Scorers for Gaelcholáiste AG: C Ó Súilleabháin (1-5, 0-1 free); G Ó Ceallacháin (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 ‘65); C Ó Cofaigh (1-2); T Ó Buadau (0-2); R Ó Cróinín, SJ Ó Dalaigh, J Ó Brosnacháin, R Ó Buachalla (0-1 each).

Scorers for CBC: E O’Shea (1-6, 0-4 frees); S Hurley (1-2); J Murray, M Murphy, M Quill (0-2 each); J Hegarty, B Hegarty, M Brosnan (free) C Lawton, B Power (0-1 each).

GHAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AG: J Ó Gabhláin (Fánaithe na Ghleanna); N Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), R Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), R Ó Buachalla (Fánaithe na Ghleanna); SJ Ó Dalaigh (Naomh Uinseann), J Ó Brosnacháin (Fánaithe na Ghleanna), G Ó Duibhir Ó hArracht (Na Piarsaigh); T Ó Bruadau (Naomh Uinseann), E Mac Eochán (Fánaithe na Ghleanna); G Ó Ceallacháin (Fánaithe na Ghleanna), C Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), J Ó Cathaláin (Na Piarsaigh); D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh), C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh).

Subs: D de Barra (Dúbhghlas) for J Ó Cathaláin (45); J Ó Riain (An Bhlarna) for Mac Eochán 54); A Ó Murchú (Naomh Uinseann) for Ó Ceallacháin (62).

CBC: K Flood (Ballygarvan): J Costello (Clonakilty), D Riordan (Kilworth), D Kingston (Mallow); M Brosnan (Glen Rovers), C Connolly (Glen Rovers), M Murphy (Midleton); C Lawton (Midleton), J Murray (St Finbarr’s); J Hegarty (Ballinora), J O’Mahony (Glen Rovers), M Quill (Blackrock); B Hegarty (Ballinora), E O’Shea (Ballinhassig), S Hurley (Éire Óg).

Subs: B Power (Ballincollig) for B Hegarty (52).

Referee: C McAllister.