Munster title for Rice College

Rice College   4-8  Hamilton High School Bandon  2-7
RICE College, Ennis were crowned Munster champions at Ballyhea in Cork on Tuesday when they defeated Hamilton High School from Bandon in the final of the Corn MhicCraith U-15C football championship.

Midfield dominance played a key role in the victory. Team captain Conor Finnucane and Conor Fitzgerald held the upperhand in this vital area throughout.
Finnucane scored an early goal and a point for the winners and they never looked back after this. Further goals from Seamus Nugent and Cillian Brennan helped them to lead at half-time on a score of 3-6 to 2-2, all of the winners’ points coming from Finnucane.
Bandon’s hopes of a fightback were dealt a big blow at the start of the second half when Nugent struck for his second goal and his team’s fourth of the afternoon.
To their credit, Bandon never gave up and they piled on the pressure in the final quarter, during which time they hit the post. Credit must go to the Rice College defence, which worked hard throughout this period with Colm Rice, Lee Brady and Liam Lynch to the fore.
The midfield pair excelled, while up front Cillian Brennan and Michael O’Malley until injured, were prominent throughout.
After the game, Rice College captain Conor Finnucane was presented with the trophy by Tom Collum, Munster colleges servicing officer. The team was managed by Denis O’Driscoll and Bill Clohessy. Rice College previously won this title in 2003 and 2006.

Rice College: Conor Grogan (Clooney-Quin) Colm Fitzgerald (Doora-Barefield), Colm Rice (Ruan) Eanna Barry (Clooney-Quin) Liam Lynch (Éire Óg) Lee Brady (Ballyea) Leo Callaghan (Ennis); Conor Finucane (Lissycasey) Capt Conor O’Halloran (Éire Óg); Rory Brennan (Doora-Barefield) Michael O’Malley (Kilmaley) Anthony Devitt (Doora-Barefield); Cillian Brennan (Clondegad) Ross McCarthy (Doora-Barefield) Seamus Nugent (Doora-Barefield|).
Subs: Eanna O’Connor (Éire Óg) for Devitt; Pat Chesser (Doora-Barefield) for McCarthy; Evan McNamara (Inagh-Kilnamona) for O’Malley inj.