St Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh are back in the hurling big time!

After an absence of 17 years, St Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh made their return to the highest levels of Munster Schools hurling and they did not disappoint as they produced a comprehensive display and victory against Harty Cup side Castletroy College on a bright and breezy day in Borrisoleigh Town Park.

Aided by a slight breeze, it was vital that the home side started well and it was Templederry midfielder Michéal Collins that settled nerves with the first of his many scores.

A second followed from a free from No 14 Cathal Kennedy and another Collins score had the boys in maroon up and running.

Then a hammer blow from the Treatymen, a long free found its way to Ahane’s Denis Blackwell and his struck a rocket past goalkeeper Shane Ryan.

This was a big setback after making all the running initially but it was a testament to the belief within this team that they regrouped thanks to a long range free from Toomevara’s Billy O Brien.

There then followed a real purple patch from the Borrisoleigh forward line, with Drom and Inch’s Cian Langton and Toome’s Alex Ryan working tigerishly to get ball into the dangerous full forwards.

Whilst it was Cathal Kennedy at 14 who got all the scores, it was the interplay of Darragh Chute and Cody Quirke that tore the Limerick city team apart. With 20 mins gone, the score was 1-8 to 1-2.

However a flurry of frees from Monaleen’s Harry McDermot had the deficit pegged back. An inspirational piece of skill from Evan Ryan set his fellow Borris player Patrick up for a classy score and 3 further frees pushed the half time score to 1-12 to 1-6.

The 2nd half started in a cagey fashion, with no real flow to the game, meant scores from play were hard to come by. In fact Castletroy failed to score from play due in no small part to a collosal display by Toomes No 3 Jack Ryan.

To his side both Cormac Frend and David Rabbitte kept tight control over their 2 markers. As the half rumbled on, it was frees on each side that kept the scoreboard ticking over.

As Castletroy pushed forward in search of a green flag, space opened up for St Joseph’s forward line and they took full advantage.

Cody Quirke in particular was first to every ball and some quick hand passes with half time sub Liam Hackett found a pass to Cathal Kennedy whose low shot  nestled in the corner, sparking celebrations from the sideline.

With a cushion of 8 points, the boys in Tipp were now in full flow and with all the flicks and tricks in evidence, centre forward Alex Ryan was put straight on goal and he made no mistake in putting the result beyond doubt.

To their credit, Castletroy did not give up and tried hard to get some goals, but a defence marshalled by Billy O Brien and flanked by Lar Stapleton and Evan Ryan were a defensive wall that did not yield.

With Patrick Ryan and Micheál Collins showing all their intercountry pedigree, no scores were being allowed and hard working midfielder Seamus O Farrell set up Templederry’s Bobby Gilmartin for the last score of the day.

As the whistle blow, it was joy for Borrisoleigh as they advanced onto a quarter final in a few weeks time. Best for Castletroy was wing back Rory O Duin and centre forward Denis Blackwell, whilst Jack Ryan at No 3, Micheál Collins midfield and half forward Patrick Ryan were key for St Joseph’s.

St Joseph’s College team: Shane Ryan (Borrisoleigh), Cormac Frend, Jack Ryan (JC) ( Both Toomevara), David Rabbitte (Borrisoleigh), Evan Ryan (Borrisoleigh), Billy O Brien (Toomevara), Lar Stapleton (Borrisoleigh), Micheál Collins (Templederry), Seamus O Farrell (Toomevara), Patrick Ryan (Borrisoleigh), Alex Ryan ( Toomevara), Cian Langton (Drom/Inch); Cody Quirke (Toomevara), Cathal Kennedy (Borrisoleigh), Darragh Chute (Borrisoleigh).

Subs used: Arron Fahy, Jonah McCarthy, Liam Hackett, Bobby Gilmartin and Donnacha Ryan.