Reporting by Eoin Byrne and Daniel Conway (Second Year)
Coláiste Choilm arrived determined to secure a victory that could shake up the championship. However, despite their resilience, they narrowly fell to a strong Coláiste Mhuire side after an intense and dramatic encounter.
Coláiste Mhuire won the throw-in, but Coláiste Choilm quickly regained possession, nearly converting it into an early goal. Moments later, Coláiste Mhuire opened the scoring with a well-taken point. They followed up with two quickfire points, putting Coláiste Choilm on the back foot.
Coláiste Choilm needed a response to settle into the game, and it came through Paddy Burns, who won a free and confidently converted it. Seconds later, Ben Dillane capitalised on a goalkeeper’s error to score a brilliant goal, energising his side.
Coláiste Mhuire quickly replied with a free, but in the blink of an eye, Ben Dillane struck again with his second superb goal of the match. Moments later, Dillane won another free, and Paddy Burns stepped up to convert once more. Shane Lawless soon added a fine point, extending Coláiste Choilm's momentum.
However, Coláiste Mhuire responded emphatically with a goal, bringing the score to 2-3 to 1-4 after an electrifying start. Shortly after, Coláiste Mhuire scored another goal and a point, putting Coláiste Choilm under pressure. The boys in blue answered back with a well-taken point to reduce the deficit.
The first half concluded with Coláiste Mhuire leading 2-6 to 2-3.
Second-Half Drama
Coláiste Choilm emerged for the second half knowing they needed a massive 30-minute effort. Coláiste Mhuire’s number 14 set the tone with a lovely point from play, stretching their lead to four points. Moments later, Coláiste Choilm conceded a penalty, but their goalkeeper made a fantastic save to keep their hopes alive.
Ten minutes into the half, Paddy Burns converted a free from the 45-metre line, narrowing the gap to just three points. Coláiste Choilm dug deep, showing grit and determination. Substitute Adam made an instant impact, scoring an incredible point to reduce the deficit to two.
Momentum was with Coláiste Choilm, and when they earned a crucial free from 50 metres out, Paddy Burns didn’t disappoint. His pinpoint kick brought the game to within a single point.
However, Coláiste Mhuire’s number 11 delivered a stunning response, scoring a point off the ground from 50 metres to put them two ahead once more.
In the dying moments, Paddy Burns delivered a quick free to Tadgh Kelly, whose powerful shot rattled the crossbar and went over for a point. Heartbreak ensued as the final whistle sounded, leaving Coláiste Choilm just one point short.
Final Score: Coláiste Choilm 2-8, Coláiste Mhuire 2-9.