Strong finish carries ’Town CBS to Munster semi-final

Mitchelstown CBS 1-8 High School Clonmel 0-6

Joseph Mullins (Clare) MITCHELSTOWN CBS with a very good last quarter emerged winners over High School Clonmel in the Munster Senior B HC (Corn Tomas Mhic Choilm) at Ardfinnan last week.

The game was played in torrential rain all through. High School had the aid of the wind in the first half. CBS opened with an early pointed free by James Keating after a foul on Cathal O’Mahony. High School levelled in the 5th minute when Sean Kennedy pointed a free. High School did well in defence, they created a number of chances but their forwards lacked scoring power. They had 3 more pointed frees by Kennedy as they led 0-4 to 0-1 after 17 minutes. CBS rallied well with Tony Watson, Mark Keane and John Hunter doing well in the half backline. They also found scores hard to secure. James Keating had two pointed frees that left just a single point between the sides at the break 0-4 to 0-3.

On the resumption James Keating levelled. Clonmel regrouped well but they found the CBS defence very solid. Enda Dunphy had two pointed frees that edged the South Tipp side 0-6 to 0- 4 clear after 38 minutes. CBS made a number of changes including bringing James Keating to midfield. They had a goal by Cathal O’Mahony from long range entering the final quarter as they moved 1-4 to 0-6 clear. High School failed to score for the rest of the game. CBS used the short passing to great effect and a ‘65 by James Keating was sent over by Tomas Vaughan. Kevin Noonan with a very good point opened up a goal lead. In the closing moments CBS ensured victory with late points by James Keating ‘65 and by Cathal O’Mahony in injury time.

CBS now meet Abbey CBS in the quarter final this Friday. MITCHELSTOWN CBS: J Finn (Ballygiblin), C Whelton (Glanworth), M Walsh-O’Grady (Kildorrery), J Lewis (Ballygiblin) T Watson (Kildorrery), M Keane (Ballygiblin), J Hunter (Kildorrery), L Finn (Ballygiblin), O Brennan (Skeheenarinky), C Harrington (Kildorrery), C O’Mahony 1-1 (Ballygiblin), C O’Sullivan (do), T Vaughan 0-1 (Skeheenarinky), J Keating 0-5 (3f, 1 ‘65’) (Kildorrery), D Flynn (Ballygiblin). Subs: R Hennessy (Skeheenarinky) for D Flynn, D Hyland (Fr. Sheehy’s) for C Whelton, K Noonan 0-1 (Kildorrery) for C O’Sullivan.

HIGH SCHOOL CLONMEL: J Downey, B Lacey, J Ryan, M McFadden, P O’Loughlan, J Gunn, J Madigan, D Bolger, M Stokes, D Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers) L Fogarty (do) S Kennedy 0-4f, S Martin, M McGrath, E Dunphy 0-2f. C McKeown (Moyle Rovers) for M McGrath, B O’Connor for P O’Loughlan (inj), TJ Quigley for D Mulcahy (inj), C Deely for S Kennedy, T Hickey for D Bolger.

REFEREE: Martin Doyle (Ardfinnan)