A second-half hat-trick from Ciaran O’Shea proved decisive at Sancta Maria College yesterday, as Colaiste Eanna were crowned champions in emphatic style.

Colmcilles were on level terms with 11 minutes gone after three points from wing-forward Paul Docherty cancelled out Eanna efforts from Darragh O’Shea (two) and James Madden.

However, the first goal of the game soon arrived courtesy of a brilliantly struck Jamie Desmond penalty, after Eanna corner-forward Madden had been dragged down by Rian Cannon.

A brace of scores from Andy Mahon and another from Docherty helped Colmcilles to bring the margin down to two, before Madden finished to the net from close in after David Mahon had parried Evan Flanagan’s shot.

This was another setback for Colmcilles, but they gave themselves a fighting chance heading into the second period as a 27th-minute goal from Ross Cullen meant that they only trailed by three points (2-6 to 1-6) at the mid-way stage.

Eanna, however, had other ideas and Ciaran O’Shea bagged a brace of goals from close range in the 31st and 38th minutes following good work by Madden and Chris Lambert.

Colmcilles midfielder Niall Keegan and Darragh O’Shea then swapped points, before the latter put the game beyond any doubt with a goal from 20 metres with 15 minutes remaining.

Ciaran O’Shea’s third goal would arrive on 52 minutes thanks to a fine finish, and even though Colmcilles finished the game with some excellent scores from Docherty (two), Cannon and Conor Bolger, it wasn’t enough to spoil the party for the Ballyroan school.

Scorers — Colaiste Eanna: C O’Shea 3-0, D O’Shea 1-6 (0-5f), J Madden 1-1, J Desmond (pen) 1-0, A Flood, C Lambert 0-1 each. Colmcilles CS: P Docherty 0-6 (0-4f), R Cullen 1-0, A Mahon 0-2, N Keegan, R McGee, R Cannon, C Bolger 0-1 each.

COLAISTE EANNA — K Robinson; J McDonnell, E Giles, C O’Riordan; A McGrath, J Desmond, F Maguire; T McGrath, A Flood; J O’Driscoll, D O’Shea, C Lambert; J Madden, C O’Shea, E Flanagan. Subs: C Basquel for Flanagan (46), E O’Toole for Lambert (53).

COLMCILLES CS — D Mahon; R Cannon, C McHugh, F Murray; D Maguire, C Bolger, D Bolger; C Bergin, N Keegan; K McCarron, R McGee, P Docherty; R Cullen, A Mahon, S McMahon.

REF — T McCarthy (St Vincent’s).

Irish Independent