SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR CBS SIDE
NEW ROSS CBS 7-7 TULLOW CS 0-7
GOAL hungry New Ross CBS turned in an excellent display that enabled them emerge with a comprehensive 21-point victory over a battling Tullow Community School in this Top Oil South Leinster Post Primary Junior Hurling ‘C’ final played at Ferns Centre of Excellence on Friday morning last.
Having conceded the opening point to Tullow’s Kevin Murphy, the New Ross boys went on to assume total control with their direct style of hurling paying handsome dividends as they exposed the opposing defence with their quick delivery to a lively forward line, who took full advantage to pick off some excellent scores.
The victory means a lot to the Barrowside boys for it helped the side maintain their progress. Having endured many difficult days in the past this side showed a steely determination and a willingness to work hard all over the pitch. Subsequently their efforts in nailing their scores proved too much even for a dogged Tullow outfit.
Just two minutes into the opening period they demonstrated their goal scoring potential when Eoin Burke got on the end of a Niall Connolly ball across the face of the goal to finish low to the net, giving his side a 1-0 to 0-1 lead, a lead they were never subsequently to lose.
Showing a very strong spine down the centre of their side with both central defenders, Dean Rovers and Ryan Morris outstanding, their midfield pairing of Colum Feeney and Jordan Richards took total control, with the result the attack saw a plentiful supply of quality ball, as Niall Connolly, Eoin Burke and Jack Murphy, were showing effectively up front, quickly turning their opportunities into scores.
Causing issues for the oppos-
ing defence, a further goal from Eoin Burke along with points from the same player, Niall Con- nolly and Jack Murphy had them leading 2-4 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter, as Keelan O’Byrne and Stephen Metcalfe managed points in between for the opposition.
The dominance of the New Ross boys was to continue through the second quarter as they added further goal through Jack Murphy who finished with a first time ground shot to the net, with the same player following with a further goal just before the break, another low ground pull to the bottom left hand corner of the net, a score that left his side with a 4-6 to 0-6 interval lead, as their opponents could only add a further three points during that spell through Lochlann McGagh, Kevin Murphy and Stephen Metcalfe.
The Tullow fightback failed to materialise on the resumption despite their best efforts for the eventual winners dominance continued. Somehow Tullow survived a series of early second half onslaughts before they conceded two further goals through with Niall Connolly finishing a Colum Feeney free into the goalmouth to the net, while Eoin Burke followed up with a further goal, leaving his side with a 6-6 to 0-6 lead by the end of the third quarter.
It was Eoin Burke who followed with a further goal to add to a Niall Connolly pointed free, with Tullow having to wait until one minute from the end for their solitary second half score, a Brian Byrne point.
Following the game team captain, Colum Feeney was presented with the trophy by former Kilkenny great, Pat Henderson, to the delight of his team-mates.
Scorers - New Ross CBS: Eoin Burke 3-2; Jack Murphy, Niall Connolly 2-1 each; Colum Feeney 0-2 frees, Darragh McDonald 0-1.
Tullow CS: K Murphy, S Metcalfe 0-2 each; B Byrne, K O’Byrne, L McGagh 0-1 each.
New Ross CBS: Ryan Gardiner (Ger. O’Hanrahan’s); Ciaran Joyce (Ger. O’Hanrahans), Dean Roberts (Horeswood), Ciaran Doyle-Maher (Rathnure); Conor Ryan (Tullogher), Ryan Morris (Bannow-Ballymitty), Conor Morrissey (Glenmore); Colum Feeney (Adamstown), Jordan Richards (Rathnure); Matt Rossiter (Cushinstown), Niall Connolly (Cushinstown), Darragh McDonald (Tullogher); Eoin Burke (Cushinstown), Jack Murphy (Cushinstown), Sean Dunne (Adamstown). Subs: Denis Kilbride (Rower-Inistioge) for Dunne; Patrick Richardson (Ger. O’Hanrahans) for Rossiter; Tom Connors (Ger. O’Hanrahans) for McDonald. Also: Danny Nolan (Horeswood), Adam Fenlon (Ger. O’Hanrahans), Eoin Colfer (Ger. O’Hanrahans).
Tullow CS: Stephen Carroll; Mark Sherratt, Diarmuid Deacon, Kieran Orbinski; David Orbinski, Padraic Roche, Niall Gahan; Kevin Murphy, Stephen Metcalfe; Eoghan Cleary, Thomas Kavanagh, Jack Foley; Brian Byrne, Keelin O’Byrne, Lochlann McGagh. Subs: Dylan Darcy for Cleary; Diarmuid Gavin for David Orbinski.
Ref: Aidan Foley (Shelmaliers).