High School seniors into Munster B final on big weekend for Tipperary schools hurling

Corn Thomais Mhic Choilm Under 19 B Munster Hurling semi-final

High School, Clonmel 2-19 St Francis, Rochestown 1-8

Clonmel High School CBS  turned the formbook on its head on Friday afternoon to overcome warm favourites St Francis, Rochestown in the TUS Corn Thomais Mhic Choilm U19 B Munster Hurling semi-final. The sides had met earlier in the group stages of the competition, when a strong performance from the Cork city side saw them prevail by a point, but in truth, having led by eight points late on, Rochestown could have won by more that day. They progressed through their campaign unbeaten with further wins over Abbey CBS, Mitchelstown CBS, Scariff, while the High School after defeats to Rochestown and Scariff, eventually had to battle through a quarter-final against Borrisoleigh for another crack at the Cork boys.

After the freezing conditions all week, the match was moved to Fethard’s outstanding 4G surface and was preceded by the other semi-final between Blackwater CS and Scariff, with the Lismore school emerging victorious.

The High School began the opening half with the aid of a strong breeze and were quicker out of the blocks to lead by 0-3 to 0-2 after 15 minutes, but perhaps could have been further ahead but for some wayward shooting.

A feature of this period was the hard work of the Clonmel forward line with, in one instance Mikey McGuire forcing his opponent over the endline for a 65 which was expertly converted by St Mary’s clubman Aaron Cagney.

The High School finished the first half the stronger with points from Michael Morrissey, Evan Spelman and Cagney to  lead by 0-10 to 0-4 at half-time but needing all that advantaging when facing into a strong breeze for the second period.

Upon the restart, St Francis narrowed the gap with a point but Clonmel got the crucial opening goal as Fourmilewater’s Mikey Morrissey struck to the net.

The High School defence led by Moyle Rovers’ Killian Butler and Niall Deely of St Mary’s drove into the game while the younger of the Spelman brothers, Paddy, at wing-back mopped up the world of ball. By the 50th minute, the High School had opened up an unassailable 1-16 to 0-8 lead but if it wasn’t for key interventions at the other end, things could have been different as Michael O’Reilly of Moyle Rovers threw his body on the line to block a goalbound shot and Oisín O’Donoghue of Kilsheelan-Kilcash produced a fine save to keep the Cork school at bay and Tadhg Walsh, who was outstanding throughout, produced a great block as the ball broke loose.

A game that was generally played in good spirits had a flashpoint as a Rochestown player was sent to the line with five minutes to go for an off the ball incident. This setback didn’t deter the Cork side, backboned by players from Blackrock, Douglas and Nemo Rangers and they struck for a goal with time almost up. However, with the game in stoppage time, it was Mikey Morrissey who put the icing on the cake as he struck his own rebound to the net and confirmed the Clonmel school’s passage to the Munster final on a scoreline of 2-19 to 1-8.

Having lost last year’s semi-final by a point after extra-time, it was great to see the High School return and make amends.

The school now they turn their attention to football and prepare for a Munster B football semi-final against St Michael’s of Listowel next Friday, January 26.

The High School have never won a Senior Munster B hurling title, having lost two finals previously and will be hoping to re-write the history books in two weeks time.

Clonmel will no doubt, once again, be underdogs as they face unbeaten Blackwater CS of Lismore, who are on the crest of a wave having won the under 17 Munster title earlier this year and had a comfortable seven points victory in the semi-final against Scariff.

Panel: Michael Bates, Liam Freaney, Mikey McGuire, Tadgh McGuire, Jack Norris, Tommy O’Connor, Oisín O’Donoghue (all Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Killian Butler, Michael O’Reilly, Paudie Ryan, Darragh Butler, Briain Morrisson (all Moyle Rovers), Niall Deely, David McSweeney, Jamie Ryan, Max O’Dwyer, Jamie O’Keeffe, James Power, Scott Walsh, Finn Napier, Aaron Cagney, Harry Lawlor, Cillian Fahy (all St Mary’s),  Kyle Grant, Jamal Youseff, Luke Hannigan (all Clonmel Óg),  Evan Spelman, Paddy Spelman, Tadgh Walsh, Seamie Wall, Michael Morrissey (all Fourmilewater)