Dark horses Colaiste Na Sceilge produced a tremendous second half fightback to overturn a fancied Rochestown side in this thrilling Corn Uí Mhuirí Group 2 final round game played in ideal conditions and on the superb Dr. Crokes pitch at Lewis road.

It was a game that appeared to be running away from Na Sceilge in the opening quarter when Roco raced 0-7 to 0-1 in front after 16 minutes. Cathal Hallahan was a commanding figure for the Cork side while Eoin O’ Flynn and Tomas Vaughan punished Na Sceilge's indiscipline by converting four frees and three scores from play between them.

Coláiste was huffing and puffing but unable to create anything up front with a solitary free from Ian O’Sullivan in the 12th minute their only reward.

But a yellow card for their manager appeared to galvanize Sceilge and with Mikey Scanlon, Michael Lynch, Donagh Sugrue and Alex Kelly getting stuck in, the South Kerry school added five unanswered points from Sugrue, and two each from Ian O’Sullivan and Emmett Daly to trail by the minimum at half time, 0-7 to 0-6.

Team boss Buddy O’Shea must uttered some harsh words at half time as Na Sceilge resumed a transformed side despite conceding a 32nd minute goal to Eoin O’Flynn, who finished a shot that was blocked initially by David Murphy.

But Emmet Daly soon thundered into the game and he converted a free for a foul on himself before adding a superb point from distance.

Then Na Sceilge produced a rabbit from the hat when they introduced Zak Fayen, who did not start due to injury.

Roco could not match his pace as he collected a ball from Michael Lynch and went on a searing run to score a magnificent goal and now Na Sceilge led 1-9 to 1-7.

Two O’Flynn frees leveled the contest before the game changed in one minute of madness. Roco attacked and looked like hitting the net but Conor O’Shea took the ball off the line as O’Flynn threatened to give Roco the edge.

But on a swift counter attack that saw Zak Fayen race 80 metres to find Ian O’Sullivan, he returned the favour to Fayen who had continued his run and he selflessly floated the ball to the back post to allow Ben O’Donoghue finish to the net.

This was the turning point of the game and despite Cadogan making it a 2-9 to 1-10, Na Sceilge had the momentum and finished strongly with two Emmet Daly points and one each from Ian O’Sullivan and Zak Fayen to secure their quarter-final place while Rochestown should finish runners-up one way or another.

Scorers for Coláiste Na Sceilge: I O’Sullivan (0-6, 6fs), E Daly (0-5, 2fs), Z Fayen (1-1), B O’Donoghue (1-0), D Sugrue (0-1).

Scorers for St Francis College: E Flynn (1-5, 4fs), T Vaughan (0-6, 4fs).

Coláiste Na Sceilge: D Murphy (Reenard); C Casey (St Michaels/Foilmore), N O’Sullivan (STMF), C O’Shea (Reenard); D O’Sullivan ( Skellig Rangers), A O’Sullivan (STMF), M Scanlon (do); M Lynch (Valentia), T O’Sullivan (St Marys); D Sugrue (STMF), E Daly (Valentia), A Kelly (St Marys); B O’Donoghue (St Marys) , I O’Sullivan (STMF), F O’Sullivan (Reenard.

Subs: Z Fayen (Sneem/Derrynane) for D O’Donoghue (37), J Griffin (St Michael’s/Foilmore) for B O’Donoghue (55), T Clifford (Sneem/Derrynane) for F O’Sullivan (60).

St Francis College: J Lyons (Nemo Rangers); S O’Rourke (Douglas), N O’Shea (Nemo Rangers), T O’Brien (Nemo Rangers); C O’Neill (Nemo Rangers), J Burke (Douglas), D Reddington (Douglas); C O’Keeffe (Douglas) C Hallihan (Douglas); C Yelland (Nemo Rangers), R Hanley (Douglas), D McCarthy (Douglas); E O’Flynn (Douglas), T Vaughan (Carrigaline), R Dooley (Douglas).

Subs: O Haynes Barry (Douglas) for R Dooley (43), R Sisk (Crosshaven) for C O’Neill (53).

Referee: E Walsh (Rathmore).