A majestic first-half performance from 16-year-old scoring sensation Andrew O'Shaughnessy piloted an efficient St Colman's to a deserved victory in a tension-packed Dr Harty Cup final at Feenagh yesterday.

O'Shaughnessy, from the Kilmallock club in Co Limerick, stamped his authority on the game with a two-goal burst inside the opening 10 minutes and the Ennis boys never recovered. After six minutes, the corner forward gained possession and careered past a static defence to shoot past goalkeeper Stephen Toomey.

Four minutes later, O'Shaughnessy struck again with a second goal to leave it 2-2 to 0-3, and he enhanced his reputation with a further four first-half points to give his side the initiative, 2-8 to 0-10, at the interval, with Andrew Quinn and Barry Nugent having kept the losers within reasonable distance.

St Flannan's made sweeping defensive changes at the start of the second half, switching Gerald Griffin to keep tabs on O'Shaughnessy.

When Quinn and Nugent left just two points between the sides it looked as if St Flannan's were ready to launch a comeback, but Cork minor star Brian Carey intervened and two rapid-fire points again opened a four-point gap.

At that stage, St Colman's were content to hold on to what they had and, while Niall Moran gave them a fright with two late points, they were well equipped in all departments to keep firm to the finish.

ST COLMAN'S: D Fitzgerald; T Lyons, R Murphy, B Murphy; R Relihan, T Healy, M Fitzgerald; M O'Brien, D Fitzgerald; S Kearney, B Carey (0-4), S Stack; A O'Shaughnessy (2-5), J Mulchinock (0-2), P Kearney (0-1). Sub: A Kearney for Lyons.

ST FLANNAN'S: S Toomey; G Griffin, A Fleming, G Barry; P Collins, P Maughan, K Ivors; N Moran (0-2), G O'Grady; D Kennedy (0-1), D Shannon, B Nugent (0-3); A Quinn (0-6), D Quinn, K Nealon (0-3). Sub: C Crowe for Shannon.

Referee: J Moore (Waterford).