COLAISTE Treasa displayed grit and determination in abundance, but it wasn't enough to offset the superior skill of Clonakilty CC in the Cork Vocational Schools senior 'B' hurling final at Mallow on Tuesday.

From the outset, it was obvious Clonakilty were the more accomplished side, and, in control at midfield and in the half back line, they dominated the opening exchanges.

Poor shooting limited their progress, however, and they clocked up 13 wides in the first half. That Clonakilty struggled to make their territorial supremacy count on the scoreboard was also down to the sterling resistance from an overworked Colaiste Treasa rearguard in which Kevin Tarrant was unbeatable at full-back.

Centre back Daniel Sheehan and corner back Darren Daly were others particularly prominent in the Colaiste Treasa defence, while Lorcan O'Neill impressed in patches at midfield. They were very limited in attack, however, as can be gauged from the fact that Donal McAuliffe was their only forward to raise a flag before the break.

McAuliffe, who never stopped trying on the '40, notched 1-1, grabbing an opportunist goal in the 22nd minute after cornerforward John Lehane prevented a long-range free by Lorcan O'Neill from going wide.

That came very much against the run of the play, but it was due reward for Colaiste Treasa's spirited efforts.