Classy Cashel King Cormacs ease their way to West U15A title

West U15A Hurling Championship Final

Cashel King Cormacs 4-14

Clonoulty Rossmore 0-5

Cashel King Cormacs were crowned West U15A champions for 2024 last Saturday afternoon in Golden, as they defeated a brave and gallant Clonoulty Rossmore side in a fine contest.

Cashel started the game like a train with early goals from Ultan O’Donoghue in the first minute and Ben Fitzgerald in the fourth minute.

In truth, they never looked back having raced into a 2-3 to no score lead inside 10 minutes. Clonoulty stemmed the tide and just about stayed in touch but couldn't get a foothold in the game despite playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the first half.

The two early goals from Cashel were a real sucker-punch for Clonoulty, as Cashel tagged on a few points from play in the second quarter and looked very comfortable with Robert Dunne strong in defence, Ben Fitzgeraldn busy in midfield (including 1-2 from play) and Ultan O’Donoghue who had a great battle with Sean Gribbon who had been outstanding for Clonoulty.Half-time score 2-7 to 0-3.

Clonoulty started the second half better and had two early frees converted by Conor Kennedy. It looked like they may have been back in the game, but that 34th-minute point proved to be the last of the game.

A goal from Cashel MJ Anglim finished the game as a contest leaving the score 3-8 to 0-5 after 41 minutes and Clonoutly never recovered any foothold in the game after this and Cashel never looked back.

A fourth goal from Scott Ryan for Cashel on 56 minutes stretched the lead out to 19 points and they closed out an impressive win with two further points from play. Clonoulty Rossmore fought valiantly but just came up against a strong team.

Cashel King Cormacs: Fionn Moloney; Michael Conor O’Brien, Adam O’Halloran, Aidan O’Dwyer; Adam Hayde, Robert Dunne, Harry O’Connor; Colin Maher, Ben Fitzgerald; Jamie Grayson, Ultan O’Donoghue, Nicholas Walsh; Evan Ryan, MJ Anglim, Scott Ryan.

Subs used: MJ Kennedy for E Ryan; Cathal Bonnar for Grayson; Michael O’Brien for O’Dwyer.

Clonoulty Rossmore: Lorcan Kennedy; Cathal O'Gorman, Paraic Kennedy, AJ Ferncombe; Alex Fryday, Sean Gribbon, Dara Heffernan; Conor Kennedy, Ross Maher; Ryan O'Keeffe, Charlie Ryan, Cathal Brennan; Charlie Ryan (Alley), Shay Carroll, Jack Ferncombe.

Subs used: James Armstrong for Ryan (Alley).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Kickhams)