Heartbreak as Tipperary school miss out on Munster football final by conceding late goals

Munster Senior B Football Semi Final

CBS High School Clonmel 1-11 St Michael’s College Listowel 2-9 AET

There was heartbreak for the High School senior footballers who lost out to a last minute goal in extra-time on Friday last in the TUS Corn Dhonncha Ui Nuanáin Munster B semi-final at a breezy Banteer GAA outside Mallow. After strong performances in the quarter-finals, it seemed in the build-up that these teams would be evenly matched with the Clonmel side having overcome Killorglin, while Listowel dispatched Roscarbery with relative ease.

Both teams started tentatively, a trend that continued throughout the first half with scores at a premium. The Kerry school found scores that little bit easier to come by despite playing into the breeze, with great scores from midfielder Aaron Kennelly while Michale Galvin of Duagh was also to the fore.

The High School side got up and running with points from Commercials’ Jamie O'Keeffe and Kilsheelan’s Liam Freaney but couldn’t take advantage of the swirling breeze at their back. The north Kerry side played a very defensive system that the south Tipperary men found hard to break down, flooding the scoring zone well and leaving little or no space for the attackers to influence the scoreboard. Although the High School enjoyed plenty of possession they found it hard to break down the Listowel defence, who for their part, counter-attacked well despite having much less of the possession, and led by 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time.

The High School came out of the blocks faster in the second half and reduced the deficit to just one through James Power of Commercials. There was a noticeable increase in pace and intensity with both sides trading scores as St Michael’s kept themselves in front with great points from Ruari O'Connell and Pa Walsh of Listowel Emmets.

It took netminder Oisin O’Donoghue to pull off an amazing save to keep the Tipperary school in it as Listowel seemed to be turning the screw. However, an unsavoury incident resulted in a St Michael’s player being given a straight red card.

With the extra man, Clonmel found renewed energy and levelled the game with seven minutes when Clonmel Óg’s Luke Hannigan scored his second point of the day and after intense Clonmel pressure, the High School looked to have got the decisive score in the match as The Nire’s Tadgh Walsh finished a rebound to the net to send Clonmel three points clear with time nearly up.

Alas, this game was far from over as a quick St Michael’s quick kick-out was worked the length of the field for them to score an equalising goal to level the game immediately and send the match to extra-time as it finished 1-8 apiece.

Extra-time saw Listowel back to 15 players but it was a cautious approach from both sides as fatigue and cramp became an issue. A point each in the first half of extra-time left the teams level with 15 minutes play still to come.

Clonmel started the second period of extra time with great points from Cillian Fahy and Michael Morrissey to again lead 1-11 to 1-9 with four minutes remaining but once more, Listowel showed their heart and never-say-die attitude. Again, it was star midfielder, Aaron Kennelly, who showed his class, winning a ball in the middle of the field and running all the way before finishing to the net to send the Kerry school wild and break the High School hearts. 

It was a bitter defeat after the end of a titanic struggle for the High School but they can take some solace in that they have next Saturday’s Munster hurling final to look forward to.

Panel: Michael Bates, Liam Freaney, Mikey McGuire, Tadgh McGuire, Jack Norris, Tommy O’Connor, Oisín O’Donoghue, Ewan Rumble (All Kilsheelan/Kilcash); Killian Butler, Michael O’Reilly, Paudie Ryan, Darragh Butler, Brian Morrisson, Liam Maher, Louis Carroll, Luke Foley, James O’Brien (all Moyle Rovers); Niall Deely, David McSweeney, Jamie Ryan, Max O’Dwyer, Billy Tierney, Cillian Fahey,  Jamie O’Keeffe, James Power, Scott Walsh, Finn Napier, Harry Lawlor, Milo McNamara (Clonmel Commercials); Luke Hannigan, Brandon Landers, Jamal Yousif, Kyle Grant, Jack Aylward, Oisin Martin (all Clonmel Óg); Evan Spellman, Paddy Spellman, Tadgh Walsh, Seamie Wall, Michael Morrissey, Jake Dwyer (all The Nire); Conor Makim (Ardfinnan), Jack Bourke (Grangemockler), Michael Dempsey (Clerihan)