Cashel King Cormacs continue underage success with West U17A final win over Cappawhite

West Tipperary U17A Hurling Championship Final

Cashel King Cormacs 2-18 

Cappawhite 2-10

By Michael McCarthy

Cappawhite came into this West U17A hurling final as marginal favourites, having won the U13 and U15 titles in 2021 and 2023 respectively. However, they came up against a slicker Cashel side on the night in Lattin.

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It was a tentative opening ten minutes, with both teams trying to find their feet and adapt to the conditions, as a stiff breeze blew down towards the hurling wall corner. Denis O’Callaghan, MJ Anglin (free), and two from Morgan O’Connor were the early scores, while Cashel hit four wides in this period.

The second ten minutes belonged to Cashel. The impressive Eimhin Ryan opened his account from play before swiftly following up with a cracking goal, finishing high to the net from a tight angle. 

Ben Fitzgerald and two from Cian Fitzgerald had Cashel in a strong position, with only a Cathal Martin point and an O’Connor free in response for Cappawhite. Cashel continued to press the Cappawhite defence, and Ryan added two more points before Tudor Mereacre finished a delightful move to the net.

Morgan O’Connor was leading the Cappawhite charge, scoring two frees and then a well-executed goal in first-half injury time to leave six in it at the break: Cashel 2-9, Cappawhite 1-6.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Ben Fitzgerald and O’Connor exchanged frees, while two from Anglim and a ’65 from Fitzgerald pushed Cashel nine clear. O’Connor hit two more frees for Cappawhite, and then they were handed a lifeline when Cashel were reduced to fourteen following a second yellow card.

Cappawhite, however, failed to make effective use of the extra man. Four points from Ryan kept Cashel comfortably in front. On 25 minutes, a good ball to Conor McCarthy saw him round his man, only to be hauled down. O’Connor dispatched the resulting free to the net, leaving five points between the sides with five minutes remaining.

Cappawhite piled on the pressure, but Cashel’s defence stood firm, aided by the crossbar which denied Jamie Renehan twice from overhead pulls. Cashel weathered the storm, regrouped, and three late points from Ryan sealed an eight-point win.

Cappawhite tried hard but in truth never looked like winning, and they will rue not taking one of those late goal chances. Cathal Martin was particularly impressive, as was top scorer Morgan O’Connor.

For the winners, the rearguard held firm, with the O’Connor brothers Harry and Tommy playing their part. Denis O’Callaghan was the pick of the midfielders, while up front MJ Anglim, Cian Fitzgerald, and man of the match Eimhin Ryan caused constant problems.

Cashel now advance to face North champions Newport in the county semi-final, a repeat of the U17 Division 1 league final.

Cashel King Cormacs: Jason O’Sullivan; Harry O’Connor, Cormac McInerney, Kyle Cully; Ben Fitzgerald (0-3, 0-2f), Tommy O’Connor, Nicholas Walsh; Denis O’Callaghan (0-2), Colin Maher; Tudor Mereacre (1-0), MJ Anglim (0-3, 0-1f), Evan Ryan; Eimhin Ryan (1-8, 0-3f), Ultan O’Donoghue, Cian Fitzgerald (0-2). 

Subs used: Scott Ryan, Brian Devitt.

Cappawhite: Patrick O’Connor; Conor Crowe, Jack Ryan, Cillian Fitzgerald; Aaron O’Shea, Eoghan Ryan, Cathal Martin (0-1); Morgan O’Connor (2-9, 1-9f), Oisin O’Neill; Fiachra Doody, Conor McCarthy, Jonathan Ryan; Joe Cotter, Ciarán Gantley, Jamie Renehan. 

Subs used: Sean Shiels, Rocco Julian. 

Referee: Donie Horan (Éire Óg Annacarty)

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