Finals weekend up and running for Tipperary schools as St Joseph's Borris-Ileigh claim C title!

TUS Corn Risteard Ui Mhathuna Munster U19C Hurling Final

St Joseph’s College, Borris-Ileigh 2-18

Dungarvan CBS 1-20

St Joseph’s College, Borris-Ileigh ended a 20-year wait to claim a Munster schools hurling title, with a fantastic second-half display to defeat Dungarvan CBS in the TUS Corn Risteard Ui Mhathuna Munster U19C Hurling final in Fethard Town Park.

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Despite a slow start, the Tipperary school dominated the second half, even allowing for the withdrawal of both Billy O’Brien and Cathal Kennedy during the contest, to take the honours in what was a brilliant contest throughout.

Impact from the bench told in the end, with Eoghan Anderson and Tadgh Kelly hitting 1-3 in the second half; Anderson’s goal in the 35th minute proved to be a key turning point in the game as it put his side ahead for the first time since the early moments of the contest and from there, they never looked back.

Dungarvan CBS were by far the better team in the first half, and, in all honesty, they could and should have been further ahead by the interval. Even with their dominance, a late flurry of four points late in the half from Borris’ left them adrift by 0-14 to 1-9.

In that time, Dungarvan were in control largely, with Paddy McCarthy and Michael Tobin the main score-getters while wing back Patrick Ryan boomed over two lovely long-range points during the first quarter.

Centre back Brandon Dillon was running the show in front of his full-back line, and with Billy O’Brien having the biggest ball-winning impact for Borris-Ileigh early on, his withdrawal through injury after 20 minutes left a big gap in their attack.

Add to that the fact that Cathal Kennedy was clearly struggling, hobbling on one leg in full forward, it was a case of just hanging in there for the Tippeary lads who would be hoping for an upturn in fortunes as the game progressed into the second half.

They trailed 0-13 to 1-5 after 26 minutes with Cathal Kennedy’s poachers goal in the eighth minute keeping them in the game, but the introduction of Eoghan Anderson made a big difference, as the Borris-Ileigh man worked his socks of and with him, Michéal Collins (two free) and Michael Ryan all hitting late points in the half, it was a decent position to only be two adrift at the break considering the flow of the game.

Upon the resumption, Michéal Collins (free) and Ben Qualter traded quick points before Eoghan Anderson struck a beautiful goal after 35 minutes, latching onto a sideline cut inside the 21 before lashing home a low effort to the net, putting Borris-Ileigh in front for the first time since the ninth minute.

The lively Cody Quirke produced a lovely bit of skill two minutes later to bring down a high ball and flash over his first of the day to extend the lead, but the contest was hanging finely in the balance with Michéal Collins and Michael Tobin trading frees up to the 47th minute with the sides deadlocked at 2-13 to 0-19.

The final ten minutes are generally where games are won and lost, and for the Tipperary school, they found that extra gear to put themselves in pole position for victory.

After an unusually quiet game, Shane Ryan burst into life for the North Tipperary school, scoring three (two frees) points, with the two from play real eye-catchers; Eoghan Anderson again the creator for one of those scores, along with two points for fellow substitute Tadgh Kelly, who fired over a brace.

Those scores stretched them out into a 2-18 to 0-20 lead, but there was late, late hope for Dungarvan when they managed to hit the back of the net through a Paddy McCarthy 21-yard free deep in added time, and despite the nerves jangling after the net rippled, the final whistle blew from the resulting puckout to send the Tipperary schoolboys wild in Fethard.

A fine start to the weekend for Tipperary schools, with focus now turning toward Nenagh CBS’s Harty Cup final on Saturday afternoon.

St Joseph’s College had to dig really deep for this win and had fine performers all over the pitch. Leading by example, Michéal Collins kept his side going when the wheels fell off in the first half, while the defensive efforts of Daniel Groome, David Rabbitte, Cormac Frend, and Adam Whyte were impressive.

Up front, Eoghan Anderson was a key cog in the wheel when introduced in the first half, hitting 1-1 and setting up at least three other points, while the tireless work of Cody Quirke created chaos for Dungarvan all day long.

Scorers: St Joseph’s College: Michéal Collins (0-8, 0-7f), Shane Ryan (0-5, 0-3f), Eoghan Anderson 1-1, Cathal Kennedy 1-0, Tadgh Kelly 0-2, Cody Quirke, Michael Ryan 0-1 each.

Dungarvan CBS: Michael Tobin (0-10, 0-8f, 0-1 65), Paddy McCarthy (1-4, 1-0f), Patrick Ryan 0-2, Ben Qualter 0-2, Eoin Prendergast, Ryan McGovern 0-1 each.

St Joseph’s College, Borris-Ileigh: Oisin Ryan (Borris-Ileigh); Cormac Frend (Toomevara), Daniel Groome (Borris-Ileigh), Adam Whyte (Toomevara); Ciaran Troy (Toomevara), David Rabbitte (Borris-Ileigh), Jack Gould (Borris-Ileigh); Micheal Collins (Templederry Kenyons), Michael Ryan (Borris-Ileigh); Eoin Ryan (Borris-Ileigh), Cathal Kennedy (Borris-Ileigh), Liam Hackett (Toomevara); Shane Ryan (Borris-Ileigh), Billy O’Brien (Toomevara), Cody Quirke (Toomevara).

Subs used: Eoghan Anderson (Borris-Ileigh) for O’Brien (21, inj); Tadhg Kelly (Borris-Ileigh) for Kennedy (41, inj); Darragh Kelly (Toomevara) for M Ryan (62).

Dungarvan CBS: Coleman Radley (Abbeyside Ballinacourty); Jack Commins (Naomh Brid), Anthony O’Donnell (Brickey Rangers), Stephen Coffey (Naomh Brid); Patrick Ryan (Brickey Rangers), Brandon Dillon (Dungarvan), John Meehan (Dungarvan); Ben Qualter (An Ghaeltacht), Pierce Quann (Dungarvan); Eoin Prendergast (Brickey Rangers), Paddy McCarthy (Brickey Rangers), Ryan McGovern (Dungarvan); Oisin Byrne (Dungarvan), Michael Tobin (Colligan), Jack Mannix (Bride Rovers).

Subs used: Charlie Crotty (Dungarvan) for McGovern (41); Sean Óg Ó Reagan for Byrne (41); Cian Qualter (An Ghaeltacht) for Mannix (56).

Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork)