Arklow CBS run riot
O’Reilly shines as 33-year gap bridged with fine victory
ARKLOW CBS GAEL NA MARA 2-17 2-2
ARKLOW CBS bridged a 33-year gap since they last lifted a trophy in the Wicklow Post-Primary Schools Senior football competition when they had a comprehensive victory over their neighbours Gaelcholáiste na Mara in the final of the Senior ‘B’ competition played at Pearse’s Park, Arklow on Friday morning last.
“A wet and windy May fills the barns with corn and hay”, are the words of the old adage learned at school but if the players on Friday could have had a fine hour or two for their game, the barns could remain empty. The wind and rain blew across the pitch making conditions difficult for all.
However, the pitch itself was in pristine condition.
CBS got off to a great start and had the ball in the net after two minutes when Quentin O’Reilly’s shot for a point dipped under the bar into the corner of the net.
O’Reilly continued to be prominent in this first quarter, scoring two further points in addition to points from Liam Moore and Jack O’Reilly. Gaelcholaiste midfielder Andrew Maher got his side off the mark with a point after ten minutes but in truth they were fighting an uphill battle.
CBS were controlling the middle third of the field with their half backs, midfielders and half forwards very much on top.
O’Reilly was the ‘go to’ man inside and he added two further points by 20 minutes.
Liam Moore pointed his first free from the ground. Adam Cullen lifted Gael Colaiste spirits for a short period when he got on the end of a free lofted in from out near the sideline to fist home his side’s first half goal. CBS finished the half with a James Larkin point, a Quentin O’Reilly point from a penalty and, finally, a goal from centre back Ciaran O’Shea when his shot, intended for a point, dipped just under the bar to leave CBS leading by 2-9 to 1-1 at the break.
The second half was played out at a lower pace with CBS still in control. Gaelcholáiste tried manfully to get back into the game in the early stages of half. Midfielder Andrew Maher, who never fell off in his efforts, scored their second goal.
Their only other point came from centre forward Padraig O’Cathain.
When Liam Moore pointed his first of five frees in this half it broke the CBS barren spell for the early minutes of the half.
The midfield diamond of Ciaran O’Shea, Peter Hempenstal, Sean Crowley and Mark Fitzgerald controlled the game. Fitzgerald (2) and Quentin O’Reilly scored their remaining points in this half.
The Gaelcholáiste full-back line of Matt Burke, David Kealy and Tom Scales had a fine second half and turned back attack after attack. Goalkeeper Dean Maoltuileach O’hAodha also had a fine game, saving one ground shot in particular in a brilliant fashion. Final score: 2-17 to 2-2. Jim Murphy presented the winners trophy to Arklow CBS captain Ciaran O’Shea.
Scorers - CBS Arklow: Quentin O’Reilly 1-6, Liam Moore 0-7, Ciaran O’Shea 1-0, Mark Fitzgerald 0-2, James Larkin 0-1, Jack O’Reilly 0-1.
Gaelcholáiste na Mara: Andrew Maher 1-1, Adam Cullen 1-0, Padraig O’Cathain 0-1.
CBS Arklow: Luke Delaney; Benn Fennell, Shane Mellow, Tadgh O’Callaghan; Dylan Furlong, Ciaran O’Shea, Thos Lynch; Peter Hempenstall, Sean Crowley; Jack O’Reilly, Mark Fitzgerald, Liam Moore; Conor Breslin, Quentin O’Reilly, James Larkin. Subs: Chris Furlong, Brian Fennell, Luke Cummins.
Gaelcholáiste na Mara – Dean Maoltuileach O’hAodha; Matt Burke, David Kealy, Tom Scales; Mikey Doherty, Cian Reynolds, Ryan O’Leary; Josh Mills, Andrew O’Meachar; Andrew Cullen, Padraig O’Cathain, Conor Congaile; Frank MacRaghnall, Eoin Collins, Luke Scanlon. Subs: Daire Furlong, Jamie Colmach O’Ceallaigh, Luke McGowan.
Referee: Liam Keenan (Jnr) Aughrim.