We were fortunate once again with the weather during this morning's very successful school hurling league finals held in Leahy Park for the sixth year running.
Our thanks to everybody in Cashel King Cormacs GAA club for welcoming us to its HQ and for providing medals for each boy from 1st to 6th that took part as well as sandwiches/tea for teachers & parents in attendance.
It was a great beginning to the day with our 1st/2nd class boys taking to the field in three finals (A, B and C). Pride of place goes to Conor O'Reilly's Cappawhite team who beat Lucas Morrissey's Annacarty team in the 'A' final on a scoreline of 4-0.
Next up was the 3rd/4th class league finals with three engrossing encounters. The 'A' final in this age group was an all-Romanian affair with regards to captains as Laur Chelaru (Annacraty) took on Patrick Ghiuta's Arravale Rovers. Laur's team came out on top 5-3 and he was the grateful recipient of the Ryan (King) Memorial Cup.
We had a break then for the Long Pull/Puck Competitions.
Winners were as follows:
1st/2nd class league
1. Bríain Ó Donoghue
2. Éimhín Ryan
3. Calum Byrnes
3rd/4th (Junior) class league
1. David McGrath
2. Anthony Walsh
3. Mikey Gayson
5th/6th (Senior) class league
1. Cathal Quinn
2. Fabian Ryan
3. Dillon Murphy
Congrats to all boys involved.
Finally, then, we had the Senior finals. All three games were played at a frantic pace but none more so than the 'A' final between Dónal Ryan's Clonoulty team and Tomi Pons' Cashel team. What a game this was. It had everything. Skill, blood, sweat, tears and honest to goodness effort throughout. The teams ended all square on 8-8 after extra time so it had to be decided by penalties.
It was tense. It was nerve-wracking. It was heart-breaking. For Tomi's team at least as Dónal's charges came out on top in an absolute classic encounter by two penalties to one. He was presented with the John Ryan (Con) Cup by Mrs Lucy Ryan.
And so the curtain closes on another fantastic hurling season. Special word of thanks to all our coaches and to Jonathan Walsh, Brendan Murphy, Ruairi Ryan and our past pupils who reffed the games and looked after our boys on the day.
