Borrisoleigh are targeting first schools All-Ireland
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Happy St Joseph’s Colege Borrisoleigh joint-managers Michael Halpin and Willie Ryan. PicasaImage 2 of 3
St Joseph’s Michael Ryan on the attack against CBS Dungarvan. BRIDGET DELANEYImage 3 of 3
St Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh - Munster Post Primary Schools Under 19 ‘C’ Hurling champions. Back row: Oisin Ryan, Aaron Kilgallon, Jack Gould, Jack McCormack, Tadhg Kellly, Gregor Hodgins, Jonah McCarthy, Mark Hoare, Evan Ryan, Eoghan Anderson, Jack Groome, Paul Kinnane, Luke Ryan, Billy O’Brien, Daniel Groome, Mikey O’Brien, Conor Kinnane, Jamie Healy. Front row: Jack Fitzpatrick, Cormac Frend, Shane Conway, Donnacha Frend, Michael Ryan, Shane Ryan, Michaeál Collins (captain), David Rabitte, Ciaran Troy, Eoin Ryan, Liam Hackett, Cody Quirke, Cathal Kennedy, Adam Whyte, Darragh Kelly. Photos: Bridget Delaney PicasaBy Michael Heverin
Within minutes of the final whistle blowing on St Joseph’s College Borrisoleigh’s thrilling Munster ‘C’ Hurling final win over CBS Dungarvan on Friday afternoon, joint-manager Willie Ryan was looking ahead to greater rewards.
The Toomevara clubman said that his management team colleague Mike Halpin has been in the school for 25 years, and been involved in a number of Munster wins, but the school has never won an All-Ireland hurling title.
“That’s our next goal after today”, Ryan said.
The former Tipperary senior captain described the final as an unbelievable game of hurling and his side’s performance as top class.
“On astro-turf it’s a different game to winter hurling but our boys had the skill, the class and the stamina to get over the line,” he continued.
“They stayed at it, went four or five points down but never panicked. They are an exceptional group of lads and gave absolutely everything for myself and Mike. I am delighted for the boys and for everyone involved”.
St Joseph’s were second best to a very impressive Dungarvan team in the first half and trailed by two points at the break. Was Ryan concerned?
“At half time we said that we had been in this position before, behind at half time, but we stick with the process, stay working the ball, getting the ball inside and asking the questions.
“We asked Dungarvan the questions and we came up with the answers. We went man on man in the second half and pushed up on them. We were too far back in the first half but we pushed up and hurled them off the field.
“We will enjoy this now but the All-Ireland semi-final is our next target”.