Cashel Community School produces a late show to clinch historic Munster football title

TUS Corn Dhonncha Ui Nuanain U19B Football Final

Cashel Community School 1-8

Coláiste na Sceilge 1-5

By Tom Clancy 

For the second time in their history, Cashel Community School are Munster U19 B Football champions. They collected the Corn Dhonnacha Uí Nuanáin Munster B Colleges football crown after a richly deserved Coláiste na Sceilge in Ballyagran, Limerick.

Captained by Sam Hall, and coached by Robert Costigan and Paddy Carroll, the Tipperary students dominated their Kerry rivals for much of this contest to follow in the footsteps of recent winners, the Abbey C.B.S (2022 and 2023).

There were several standout performers on the team but Niall Hallissey’s 39th-minute goal was the catalyst for the victory, during a contest that Cashel led practically from start to finish.

With a spread of eight clubs on the starting fifteen as well as a couple more on the subs bench, this Cashel team was neatly assembled in each line. 

They didn’t have to rely on talented captain Sam Hall, who carrying a knock from the first half, saw his teammates step up at different times to claim a most memorable success.

The scoreline doesn’t flatter Cashel either, as it took a stoppage-time goal from the South Kerry school to take some of the gloss off the winning margin.

Leading from Hall’s first-minute free, the winners were pegged back by Michael Scanlan on seven minutes. However, another free, this time from Charlie Walsh, gave them the advantage within seconds. This was one they wouldn’t relinquish.

Indeed, they moved 0-5 to 0-1 ahead by the 20th minute. Two more for Hall, including a goal chance that went inches over, had them firmly in the driving seat. Rory O’Mahony was also on target.

The reply from Tom Clifford gave the Kerry men something positive heading for the dressing rooms, but they’d been no match for the Tipperary men.

David Kennedy and Clifford (free) brought the gap back to just a point but the game-defining green flag arrived to change the mood at Paddy Carroll Park.

Ryan O’Sullivan pulled wide and when he was found he attempted to score a point. The angle was a test and his shot dropped in around the square, allowing Seamus Kennedy to challenge David Murphy – this was enough to see the ball spill to Hallissey who powered, first time, to the net.

Daylight and belief with the finishing line on the horizon. They kicked on too, landing three of the next four points including two in just a minute from Ryan O’Sullivan.

The Kerry school didn’t have an answer and couldn’t find a way to goal until it was too late. Their sub, Ryan O’Connor did enough to squeeze the ball beyond Evan O’Neill who did his best to dive at his boots. This was on 62 minutes, with one more of the additional three to play.

This should have set up a nervy finish, but instead, Cashel were assured in possession and worked the ball to safety and the final whistle was greeted with expected roars of delight and excitement for all connected.

Ulster opposition awaits in the last four of Ireland, with the physicality of this Cashel team a standout attribute.

Scorers: Cashel Community School: Niall Hallissey 1-0; Sam Hall (0-3, 0-1f); Charlie Walsh 0-2f, Ryan O’Sullivan 0-2; Rory O’Mahony 0-1.

Coláiste na Sceilge: Ryan O’Connor 1-0; Tom Clifford 0-2f; Michael Scanlan, David Kennedy, Enda Sheehan 0-1 each.

Cashel Community School: Evan O’Neill (Cashel King Cormacs); Adam Tobin (Clonmel Óg), Cian Lonergan (Golden Kilfeacle), Tom O’Driscoll (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams); Colm Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs), Noah O’Flynn (Fethard), Seamus Kennedy (Clonoulty Rossmore); Shane Cooney (Clerihan), Charlie Walsh (Fethard); Niall Hallissey (Cashel King Cormacs), Colin Bourke (Rosegreen), Ryan O’Sullivan (Clerihan).

Subs used: Charlie Hall (Golden Kilfeacle) for Fogarty (43); Bríain O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs) for O’Sullivan (52); Willam Colville (Rosegreen) for Bourke (52); Brian Gleeson (Boherlahan-Dulla) for S Hall (57).

Coláiste na Sceilge: David Murphy (Reenard); Michael Scanlan (St. Michaels/Foilmore), Niall O’Sullivan (St. Michaels/Foilmore), Cathal Casey (St. Michaels/Foilmore); Pearse O’Sullivan (Waterville), Donagh Surgrue ((St. Michaels/Foilmore), Jake Moriarty (Reenard); Shane Goggin (St. Michaels/Foilmore), Adam Quigley (Valentia); Enda Sheehan (St. Michaels/Foilmore), David Kennedy (Skellig Rangers), Jake Curran (Valentia); Tom Clifford (Sneem/Derrynane), Fintan O’Sullivan (Reenard), Cillian O’Sullivan (Sneem/Derrynane).

Subs used: Junior Kidd (Valentia) for Moriarty (38); Ryan O’Connor (Piarsaigh na Dromoda) (1-0) for Cillian O’Sullivan (55); Brian O’Connell (Reenard) for Curran (55).

Referee: Timmy McGrath (Oola, Limerick)