CTI Clonmel crowned Tipperary under 15 football champions after storming second half

The CTI Clonmel panel who won the County Tipperary School Under 15 Football Championship when defeating Thurles CBS in the final played at Clonoulty on Wednesday of last week. Back row, from left to right: Mr. Liam Lonergan, Daniel Breathnach, Rory Mac Aonghusa, Darragh de Priondargás, Billy Mac Aoidh, Oisín Breathnach, Rocco Ó Cuidithe, Conor Breathnach, Freddie Ó Báicéir, Leon Hewitt, Jayden Inglis, Callum Hackett, Seán Ó Conghaile, Osazee Fionn Eubadoloyi, Alex Brennan Soltys, Shane Hennessy, Mr Dominic Walsh. Front: Santiago Jimeno Bermejo, Daithí Ó Gráda, Isaac Ó hAnghusa, Barry Mac Réamóinn, Patrick Ó Lillis, Jayden Ó Cuidithe, Tristan Maun, Cillian Ó Muirgheasa, Miguel Manzanero Martin, Leo Hanton, Stevie Burke, Darragh Browne

County Tipperary Schools U15 Football Final

CTI CLONMEL 3-10 THURLES CBS 4-5

The County Tipperary Schools under 15 football final took place in Clonoulty on Wednesday last, between CTI Clonmel and Thurles CBS, and produced a thrilling final which the Clonmel school edged narrowly following a spirited second half comeback.

Having earlier in the year progressed to a Munster final before narrowly losing that provincial decider to Carrigaline of Cork, the Clonmel boys were hoping to finish off a great year with silverware against a highly regarded Thurles CBS outfit.

To reach the county final the students from Gaelcholáiste Chluain Meala and Raheen College had to battle hard in the group stages, only qualifying on score difference following a win over Borrisoleigh and a narrow defeat to Roscrea.

The final in Clonoulty began at a blistering pace with CTI going two points up early on through scores from Cillian Ó Muirgheasa and Conor Breathnach. Soon however, Thurles CBS began to hit form and quickly took control, dominating the middle third and scoring 1-3 without reply.

CTI were struggling to come to grips with the pace of the Thurles counter-attack and with clinical accuracy the mid Tipperary school bagged another two goals before half- time. Indeed, CTI might have found themselves even further behind at the interval had it not been for the ferocious defending of Darragh de Priondargás and Oisín Breathnach, while Miguel Manzanero Martin pulled off some great saves.

BACK TO BACK COUNTY TITLES FOR CTI

Just as the rain arrived, the short whistle was blown to signal half-time, with the Cathedral Town boys leading by all of nine points 3-3 to 0-3. This left CTI, who 12 months previously had won the ‘First Years’ county title, with a mountain to climb in the second half if they were to achieve back-to-back titles.

The steely determination which had earlier in the year brought them to the Munster decider at Páirc Uí Chaoimh would be needed once more if CTI were to pull this encounter out of the fire. The Clonmel men needed to make an immediate impact on the resumption of play and this is exactly what happened.

Shane Hennessy began to find form and started to run at the Thurles defence, while Cillian Ó Muirgheasa and Freddie Ó Báicéir started to gain the upper hand around midfield. Hennessy’s running soon began to pay dividends drawing two early frees, both pointed by Cillian Ó Muirgheasa who was to prove very accurate on the placed balls all day.

Another powerful run by Shane Hennessy, led to a penalty which Ó Muirgheasa tucked away and CTI were right back in the game.

As the second half progressed Jayden Inglis and Conor Breathnach were getting on top of the Thurles attack which had looked so potent in the first half, while Leon Hewitt began to win a lot of possession around the middle of the park. CTI were using the foot pass extremely well and this coupled with the hard running of the forwards soon had the game right back in the melting point, which certainly wasn’t the case prior to the interval.

Half-way through the second period Isaac Ó hAnghusa scored another CTI goal to make further inroads into the Thurles lead, the Clonmel side most definitely in the ascendancy during this period of play.

Ten minutes from time the Thurles advantage had been cut to just three points and it was the CBS boys now having to deal with a rampant opposition forward line. Further points for CTI from Rocco Ó Cuidithe and Leon Hewitt levelled the game up with five minutes remaining and all the momentum going the way of the southerners.

But the Thurles CBS side weren’t going to bow without a fight and rallied. In a fast-running length-of-the- field move they rattled the Clonmel net to re-take the lead. But magnificently CTI responded and as quickly as they had conceded, with Cillian Ó Muirgheasa again raising the green flag.

Both sides played out the final minutes at an incredible pace, displaying excellent heart and determination. Barry Mac Réamóinn was then introduced and made an immediate impact for CTI, his link-up play with Tristan Maun helping to add three points over the final minutes.

At the death, Thurles mounted one last-ditch attack in search of an equalising goal but that effort blazed over the bar and with it CTI Clonmel were Tipperary under 15 football champions for 2024.

Great credit is due to both teams for their efforts on the day, in what was a brilliant spectacle for all in attendance at the west Tipperary venue.

CTI Clonmel team: Miguel Manzanero Martin, Billy Mac Aoidh (Fethard), Oisín Breathnach (Moyle Rovers), Darragh de Priondargás (captain, Commercials), Rory Mac Aonghusa (Commercials), Jayden Inglis (Nire/Fourmilewater), Conor Breathnach (Moyle Rovers), Freddie Ó Báicéir (Commercials), Cillian Ó Muirgheasa (Moyle Rovers), Leon Hewitt (Clerihan), Rocco Ó Cuidithe (Nire/Fourmilewater), Tristan Maun (Clonmel Óg), Callum Hackett (Newcastle), Shane Hennessy (Unattached), Isaac Ó hAnghusa (Moyle Rovers).
Subs used: Barry Mac Réamóinn (Commercials).