Munster Hurling success for Borrisoleigh’s St Joseph’s

GAA: TUS Munster Post Primary Schools Senior ‘C’ Hurling Final

St. Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh 2-18

CBS Dungarvan 1-20

Report: Michael Heverin at Fethard Town Park

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Michael Ryan (Borris-Ileigh)

SCORERS - St Joseph’s College: Micheál Collins 0-8 (6 frees, 1 ‘65); Eoghan Anderson 1-1, Shane Ryan 0-3 (1 free); Cathal Kennedy 1-0; Tadgh Kelly, Eoin Ryan (frees) 0-2 each; Michael Ryan, Cody Quirke 0-1 each.

CBS Dungarvan: Michael Tobin 0-10 (8 frees, 1 ‘65), Paddy McCarthy 1-4, Patrick Ryan, Ben Qualter 0-2 each; Eoin Prendergast, Ryan McGovern 0-1 each.

A hugely impressive display from St Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh saw them edge out CBS Dungarvan by a single point in a pulsating Munster Post Primary Schools Under 19 ‘C’ Hurling Final on Friday afternoon, and in the process kick off a brilliant weekend for Tipperary schools hurling.

Despite struggling at times to stay in touch with a dominant Waterford side in the first half, St Joseph’s trailed by just two points at the break, 0-14 to 1-9, and put in a much improved second half display for a thoroughly deserved win.

Goals proved crucial, Cathal Kennedy hitting the first in the seventh minute, to put St Joseph’s ahead for the first time, 1-2 to 0-4, and substitute Eoghan Anderson getting the second five minutes into the second half to put them 2-10 to 0-15 in front. That provided the impetus for them to drive on, and outscoring Dungarvan four points to one in the final ten minutes, they took a four-points lead into added time.

But Dungarvan, after shooting two poor wides, had one more sting in the tail, and the outstanding Paddy McCarthy rifled home a free to the net in the fourth minute of injury time. Referee Ciarán Foley only allowed time for the puck-out and the Borris’ players and supporters celebrated wildly at his final whistle.

The final was a repeat of the 2006 ‘B’ decider, when the successful St Joseph’s team included two future All Ireland winning Tipperary captains, Brendan Maher and Seamus Callanan – the latter looking on proudly as part of the Clubber TV commentary team on Friday.

Members of this year’s team will hope for similar success, and with players such as captain Micheál Collins, Michael Ryan, Shane Ryan, Cathal Kennedy, David Rabbitte, Adam Whyte and impressive substitutes Eoghan Anderson and Tadgh Kelly in their ranks, they can hope for greater days ahead.

Dungarvan were more direct in the first half, building play impressively from defence, and led 0-4 to 0-2 after six minutes though Ben Qualter, Eoin Prendergast, Patrick Ryan and a Michael Tobin free, to Borris’ replies from Eoin Ryan and Micheál Collins frees. Then Eoin Ryan turned over a CBS ball and when his shot was saved by goalkeeper Coleman Radley, Cathal Kennedy reacted sharply to shoot to the net for a 1-2 to 0-4 lead.

Dungarvan reacted well to the setback and were ahead again, 0-10 to 1-3 midway through the half, with Michael Tobin unerring for them from frees and Paddy McCarthy hitting some great scores from distance.

Collins was keeping St Joseph’s in touch from placed balls, and despite not playing their best, they were just two points behind at the break, with four points from Collins frees, one free from Eoin Ryan, and points from play from Michael Ryan and substitute Eoghan Anderson – the Borris-Ileigh player came on for full forward Billy O’Brien after twenty minutes - O’Brien suffering a leg injury - and impressed on his introduction, as did Tadgh Kelly when coming on for Cathal Kennedy nine minutes into the second half.

Collins from a 65 and Qualter from play swapped points in the first three minutes of the second half before the Tipp side struck for a vital second goal. Corner back Adam Whyte broke up a Dungarvan attack with superb fielding and then winning a free that David Rabbitte launched into the Dungarvan half where Eoghan Anderson won possession and blasted to the net for a 2-10 to 0-15 lead.

Cody Quirke extended the lead within sixty seconds with a superb catch and strike, and even though the sides were level on three further occasions, St Joseph’s were never behind again as their confidence grew, including hitting three in a row in the last five minutes.

Some sparkling play saw Collins point two more frees, Shane Ryan point twice from play as well as converting a free and Tadgh Kelly hitting two superb points from play

Tobin was unerring from placed balls for the Waterford side but as the Borrisoleigh defence shut up shop, they didn’t score again for the final thirteen minutes until their added time goal.

Borrisoleigh finished stronger and looked comfortable with a four-points lead entering the added-on minutes. McCarthy’s late goal was a shock for St Joseph’s but CBS didn’t have the time to add a levelling point and force the game to extra time.

TEAMS – St. Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh: Oisin Ryan (Borris-Ileigh 7); Cormac Frend (Toomevara 8), Daniel Groome (Borris-Ileigh 8), Adam Whyte (Toomevara 8); Ciaran Troy (Toomevara 7), David Rabbitte (Borris-Ileigh 8), Jack Gould (Borris-Ileigh 7); Micheál Collins (Templederry Kenyons, Capt 8), Michael Ryan (Borris-Ileigh 9); Eoin Ryan (Borris-Ileigh 7), Cathal Kennedy (Borris-Ileigh 7), Liam Hackett (Toomevara 7); Shane Ryan (Borris-Ileigh 8), Billy O’Brien (Toomevara 7), Cody Quirke (Toomevara 7).

Subs: Eoghan Anderson (Borris-Ileigh 8) for O’Brien (20); Tadgh Kelly (Borris-Ileigh 8) for Kennedy (39), Darragh Kelly (Toomevara NR) for M Ryan (60+1).

CBS Dungarvan: Coleman Radley (6); Jack Commins (6), Anthony O’Donnell (7), Stephen Coffey (7); Patrick Ryan (7), Brandon Dillon (8), John Meehan (7); Ben Qualter (8), Pierce Quann (7); Eoin Prendergast (6), Paddy McCarthy (8), Ryan McGovern (7); Oisin Byrne (6), Michael Tobin (6) Jack Mannix (7).

Subs: Charlie Crotty (6) for McGovern (39), Sean Óg O’Regan (7) for Byrne (39), Cian Qualter (6) for Mannix (55).

Referee: Ciarán Foley (Cork).