Hurling heartbreak
Coláiste Bhríde Carnew fall at Leinster ‘C’ final hurdle
ST JOSEPH’S (WH) COLÁISTE BHRÍDE 1-14 2-9
THE talented under-16 hurlers from Coláiste Bhríde Carnew saw their Leinster title ambitions dashed when they came up just short against a formidable St Joseph’s of Rochfortbridge outfit in Ballykelly last week.
The Carnew students enjoyed a blistering start to the encounter but faded badly for the remainder of the opening half. The half-time chat did them the world of good and they emerged a different outfit and charged into a 2-9 to 1-9 lead after 16 minutes of the second half only for St Joseph’s to profit from indiscipline in the Coláiste Bhríde defence and eke out a 1-14 to 2-9 lead which Coláiste Bhríde were unable to claw back despite their best efforts.
Kevin Morris’ charges led by 0-4 to 0-1 after 10 minutes as they showed an abundance of ambition and hurling ability. Midfielder Ricky Byrne grabbed the opening two scores, the first from play after good work from Eoin Kavanagh, the second from a 65 that came from an Eoin Kavanagh shot.
The Westmeath side hit back through Darragh Core, but corner-forward Eoin Young rattled over two frees to leave the Wicklow side ahead by 0-4 to 0-1.
An early situation developing in this game was the fact that the St Joseph’s full-back, a mighty chap called Jamie Mulkearns was getting the better of Coláiste Bhríde full-forward Joe Conroy on the edge of the square.
The Coláiste Bhríde management would make a switch early in the second half but the tussle was an interesting one to watch and Conroy improved after the move.
Fouling within scoring distance would be the rock Coláiste Bhríde would perish on and St Joseph’s drew level through three frees from the hurl of Darragh Core who was in superb form from placed balls.
The well supported Coláiste Bhríde side were then dealt a tough blow when St Joseph’s full-forward Devon Hill fired a screamed to the back of Patrick Kavanagh’s net while Hill and Ciaran Daly added points to leave the half-time score reading 1-6 to 0-4 in favour of the Westmeath side.
Within 10 minutes of the restart Coláiste Bhríde were level. Conroy, Jason Bolger and James McGing all had white flags raised while Ricky Byrne’s free from distance sailed in over the head of Conor Lynch in the St Joseph’s goal and all of a sudden it was 1-7 to 1-7.
The Westmeath side led briefly through a Darragh Core free but then Conor Hughes bagged a ripper of a goal with 15 on the clock and this was followed by points from Eoin Young and Eoin Kavanagh to leave Coláiste Bhríde ahead by 2-9 to 1-8. Unfortunately for Coláiste Bhríde, that Eoin Kavanagh score would be their last of the day.
Serious ill-discipline in defence led to Darragh Core firing over five points from frees and the half-forward added another from play to leave St Joseph’s ahead by 1-14 to 2-9.
Coláiste Bhríde threw everything at the Westmeath side and went in search of a late goal to secure a dramatic victory but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, and the final whistle sounded harshly on the beautiful summer’s day.
The Carnew side gave their all in the hunt for a Leinster title and can hold their heads high despite their gallant effort falling short at the hands of a capable St Joseph’s side who possessed an excellent freetaker in Darragh Core. There will be plenty of great days ahead for these young Coláiste Bhríde hurlers.
Coláiste Bhríde Carnrew scorers – Ricky Byrne 1-2 (1 65, goal from a free), Conor Hughes 1-0, Eoin Young 0-3, Joe Conroy 0-1, Jason Bolger 0-1, James McGing 0-1, Eoin Kavanagh 0-1.
Coláiste Bhríde Carnew: Patrick Kavanagh; Cormac Redmond, Conor Wafer, Cillian McDonald; John Young, Tom Mordaunt, Aidan Kavanagh; Ricky Byrne, Conor Hughes; James McGing, Eoin Kavanagh, Jason Bolger; Stephen Kenny, Joe Conroy, Eoin Young. Subs: Sean Kehoe for C Wafer (37min).