Cappawhite deliver in West decider with Cashel King Cormacs to claim U15A hurling crown

West Tipperary U15A Hurling Championship Final

Cappawhite 2-16

Cashel King Cormacs 3-8

Cappawhite regained the West U15A hurling title following a five-point win over a gallant Cashel side in the warm setting of Sean Treacy Park, Tipperary Town last Saturday.

There was a lively start to the game with both sides trading points early on, Morgan O'Connor opened the scoring following a fine catch and run from Conor McCarthy.

Cashel responded immediately though when the resulting puckout found its way to corner forward Scott Ryan who scored an excellent point from the far sideline.

Conor McCarthy was influencing the game from wing forward winning high ball at will and taking on the Cashel defence at every opportunity. Another run through the middle set Morgan O'Connor up for Cappa's second point before Cashel sharpshooter Eimhin Ryan opened his account from a placed ball.

Cashel then got a big score when Tudor Mereacre, operating at centre forward, scored a good individual goal taking on the Cappawhite defence and finishing to the net. Patrick O'Connor and Conor McCarthy responded for Cappa with minors to leave one between the sides in what was a frantic opening 10 minutes.

Eimhin Ryan scored another placed ball and a point from play to stretch the Cashel lead to three in 15 minutes.
This was the last time Cashel would lead as Morgan O'Connor went on a tour de force for the next 10 minutes scoring 1-5 himself to put Cappawhite into a commanding lead.

The goal came from yet another high catch from Conor McCarthy whose pass was gathered by O'Connor who left the Cashel keeper with no chance. McCarthy himself would round out the 1st half scoring with a long range point that went over off the post. Cappawhite led by six at the break 1-10 to 1-4.

The second half started how the first finished with Cappawhite in the ascendancy scoring three points through Ciaran Downey, the impressive Cathal Martin and a Morgan O'Connor free. Eimhin Ryan eventually got Cashel off the mark from a free which was cancelled out by Downey's 2nd from play a minute later.

On 15 minutes Cappa led by 9 but Cashel roused themselves and substitute Adam Hayde cracked an unstoppable shot past Joe Cotter in the Cappa goal to give Cashel a lifeline. Three Eimhin Ryan frees has the deficit to three points and Cashel were the team to the fore.

Cathal Martin got Cappawhites first score in 14 minutes from a long range free to steady the ship and when Conor McCarthy clipped over his third point with a minute left Cappa looked safe.

Cashel had other ideas and in injury time Denis O'Callaghan finished a good Cashel move to the net and there was two in it but almost immediately Oisin O’Neill caught a high ball into the square and finished to finally put the game to bed.

Cappawhite were deserving winners but not without a scare or two, especially in the final minutes. For Cashel centre back Cormac McInerney was solid and was ably assisted by Colin Maher. Eimhin Ryan and Denis O’Callaghan has their moments at midfield while Tudor Mereacre was always a handful when he got on the ball.

The winners had good performances all over with the two Solohead representatives, Cillian Fitzgerald and Jonathan Ryan, very solid in the full back line. Jack Ryan was very good at centre back and had great help from Eoghan Ryan especially in the second half.

Cathal Martin and Ciaran Gantley shaded midfield over the hour. Up front Conor McCarthy was excellent under the dropping ball and chipped in with three good points from play. Morgan O'Connor had a purple patch in the first half but less effective in the second. Patrick O'Connor and Ciaran Downey worked hard all day.

Cappawhite now face St Mary's Clonmel in the County semi-final with Durlas Óg awaiting the winners.

Cappawhite: Joe Cotter; Sean Shiels, Cillian Fitzgerald (Solo), Jonathan Ryan (Solo); Eoghan Ryan, Jack Ryan, Darragh Hayes; Cathal Martin (0-3, 0-1f), Ciarán Gantley; Conor McCarthy (0-3), Ciaran Downey (0-2), Jamie Renehan; Patrick O’Connor (0-1), Morgan O’Connor (1-7, 0-3f), Oisin O’Neill (1-0).

Subs used: Alex Ryan (Solo).

Cashel King Cormacs: Jason O’Sullivan; Adam O'Dwyer, Kyle Cully, Michael Conor O’Brien; Robert Dunne, Cormac McInerney, Colin Maher; Tudor Mereacre (1-0); Denis O'Callaghan (1-0), Harry O'Connor, Eimhin Ryan (0-7, 0-6f); Tommy O'Connor, Ultan O'Donoghue, Scott Ryan (0-1).

Subs used: Adam Hayde (1-0); Ben Fitzgerald.

Referee: Paddy Russell (Emly)