Maghera up next for Mitchelstown CBS

MITCHELSTOWN CBS had a very good season on the playing front in recent months. To reach two Munster Senior B finals in one season is a huge achievement.

The winning of the Munster Senior B Hurling title was a major boost and is very good for the promotion of hurling in the school in the years ahead. The disappointment of losing the Senior B football decider is now forgotten and they focus now on this Saturday’s semi final against St Patrick’s Maghera in the Masista All Ireland Senior B HC semi-final. The venue was not known at the time of going to press.

Mitchelstown CBS had a long campaign since last October. They began with a meeting with Cashel Community School in the Group series. CBS fielded an understrength side in Golden with Cashel being comprehensive winners.

Cashel and CBS Mitchelstown were the only two colleges in their group. There were a number of games played in the Munster Senior B FC coming up to the end of the year. CBS hurlers recovered from their set back with Cashel and recorded a very good win over St Francis Rochestown in December by 1-17 to 0-12.

This victory gave the local side a quarter-final meeting with High School Clonmel that was played in very bad weather conditions in Ardfinnan in early January. CBS rallied well having a goal at a vital stage early in the second half. They emerged winners by 1-8 to 0- 6.

This put them into the semi final with Glanmire Community College. Glanmire had defeated Patrician Academy Mallow in the quarter final. CBS v Glanmire was played in Cappoquin with CBS coming out on top by 2-10 to 1-11.

They fielded a well balanced side with players from Ballygiblin, Kildorrery, Skeheenarinky and Glanworth making up their side.

Their opponents in the Munster final in Clonmel were Cashel Community College. In the lead up to the final Cashel had a good win over St Josephs Tulla. They were into a quarter-final with neighbours Abbey CBS.

This game finished all square 0-7 each on a very bad day. Extra time could not be played in Golden.

The refixture was in UL Grounds Limerick where Cashel who finished strong had a five point win. In the Munster semi final Cashel played Hamilton High School Bandon in Pilmore. After a tough contest Cashel sealed their place in the final with a late point.

Mitchelstown CBS and Cashel Community School met in the final in Clonmel Sportsfield. CBS put in a massive performance and helped by a first minute goal by James Keating they led for nearly all the game. At the break CBS were 1-8 to 0- 7 clear.

Cashel did well on the restart and four points on the trot gave them a single point lead 0-14 to 1-10. Christy O’Sullivan goaled for Mitchelstown CBS and Cathal Harrington followed with a point 2-11 to 0-14 by the 5lst minute.

It was very close in the last 10 minutes. Mark Keane was outstanding at centre back. CBS eventually won out by 2-14 to 0-19 to secure their first ever Munster Senior B HC title.

CBS are coached by Cork and Kanturk goalkeeper Anthony Nash along with Willie Duggan (Kildorrery) who has been involved in coaching and training teams in the CBS for the past 35 years.

Saturday’s All Ireland semi-final is against St Patricks Maghera, County Derry. The St. Patrick’s side compete in the Ulster Senior A HC. They are a very strong Football College and have won the All Ireland Senior A FC Hogan Cup title on five occasions - 1989, 1990, 1995, 2003 and 2013.

They have been to the fore in Hurling and have won the Ulster Senior (A) Mageean Cup on 9 occasions - 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011 and 2018. The Cup for the All Ireland Senior B HC is now known as the Paddy Buggy Cup in memory of the late Paddy Buggy an All Ireland senior medal winner with Kilkenny in 1954.

He served as President GAA from 19811984. Since the inception of this trophy in 2015 Munster teams have been successful. In 2015 Colaiste Pobal Scoil Roscrea defeated Cross & Passion Ballymena by 2-16 to 0-10.

In 2016 Abbey CBS (Tipperary) were All Ireland champions following their win over St. Louis (Ballymena) by 2-19 to 2-13. Abbey CBS had a Munster semi final win over Mitchelstown CBS that year on their way to All Ireland success.

Last year John The Baptist (Hospital) took the All Ireland title with another win over a team from Antrim. They defeated St Mary’s CBGS Belfast in the All Ireland decider by 2-14 to 1-8.

The second semi-final is also scheduled for this Saturday between Portumna Community College and Colaiste Choilm Tullamore.

Both games have a 2pm start with venues decided later in the week due to weather.