Cumann na mBunscol U13A County Final
At John the Baptist BNS Cashel versus St Colmcille’s Templemore
Thursday, June 18th in glorious sunshine our senior boys hurling team descended on the famed hurling town of Thurles seeking to capture their first U13A hurling title. Standing between them and victory were the formidable opponents St Colmcilles of Templemore.
Cashel had earned their place in the premier competition for primary schools in the premier county by virtue of group victories over St Mary’s, Clonmel (1point) and a ten point margin over Carrick CBS (3-8 to 1-4). In the semi-final Cashel beat Scoil Ailbhe with a score of 2-7 to 2-1.
So all the preparations were now complete and everything in place for a titanic battle on the sacred soil of Semple Stadium.
The Cashel team had to make a few positional changes due to the unavailability of goalkeeper Ross Whelan. Evan Moloney took up position in goals as we would play into the town aided by a slight breeze for the first half.
Fergal Horgan threw in the ball and we were underway. The Templemore team looked very big in stature but Cashel would not be overawed and stuck to the task admirably. The first few minutes were spent getting to know each other and in the fourth minute Jack McGrath opened the scoring for Cashel with a nice point. The Cashel team were rocked with the concession of two goals in a three minute spell but a long range point from Cathal Quinn kept us in touch. After ten minutes trailing by 0-2 to 2-0, Templemore got their first pointt to extend their lead but now it was the turn of the Cashel boys. Conor O Dwyer began the onslaught with a point under severe pressure. Then, following a goal mouth scramble T.J. Barron struck a ground ball to the net to leave Cashel trailing by the minimum. Another goal point from Conor O’ Dwyer had the Cashel supporters on their feet as the game was now level and all to play for. Jack McGrath converted a difficult free to give the boys a lead and complete the marvellous recovery. This lead didn’t last long as Templemore pointed again to tie the game once more as the game entered injury time.
This Cashel recovery took a lot of energy in the heat and perhaps they finished a little drained as the one minute of injury time proved costly for them. Templemore struck for a goal and a point to leave them with a four point cushion at the break, on a score of Templemore 3-3 and Cashel 1-5.
The Cashel backs led by the veterans Eoghan Murphy and Ethan Gayson-Molloy were holding their own, Evan was finding men with his puck-outs, centre-field battled gamely and the forwards were trying hard to find the openings. After a good team talk we were ready to go again with our destiny in our own hands.
Templemore started brightly and had two more points by the 27th minute to widen the gap to six. They then struck a killer blow in a well worked goal to leave Cashel with an uphill battle. Cashel never dropped their heads and to a man they battled on bravely. Jack pointed a free to open oue second half scoring but once again Templemore responded with a similar score and added two more points in the closing minutes to seal the victory.
Congratulations to Templemore who took their scores well on the day and got the all important goals when it mattered.
Nothing l can say to the Cashel team. Time is a great healer and the experience gained will stand them well in the future. They are to be admired for their never-say-die attitude, skill levels, commitment, bravery and above all their teammanship. Their town, school, principal, management, parents and families are proud of their efforts and the wonderful journey and entertainment they have given us. We wish next years team well and we will be following those moving onto secondary school with interest and support.
Great credit is due to the team management Principal Will Ryan, Paddy Moloney, PJ Dunne, Noel Murphy and Pat Molloy. The boys returned to Morellis for food which was enjoyed by all and was a nice way to end the day.
As my son TJ will not be around next year, this will be my last report. Although Vincent Hogan l am not, l have enjoyed writing these reports for the last few years and although not always 100% accurate l hope that you have found them worthwhile.
Yours in sport,
Sean Barron
TEAM
14 - Evan Moloney, 2. Alex Dunne, 3. Eoghan Murphy, 4. Patrick Quinlan, 5. Ross Minogue, 6. Ethan Gayson-Molloy, 7. Fabian Ryan, 8. Cathal Quinn, 9. Conor O’ Dwyer, 10. TJ Barron, 11. Jack McGrath (Captain), 12. Donál Ryan, 13. Ronan Connolly, 17. Anthony Walsh, 15. Andrew Burke
Subs used- 23. David McGrath, 16. Ben White, 24.Oisín O Donoghue, 20. Liam Corcoran, 19. Dillion Murphy
Panel members- 18.Corey Hynes, 21. LeeO Riordan, 22. Andrew Irwin, 25.Cian McGrath
Final Score- St John the Baptist BNS 1-6
Templemore 4-8
