All-Ireland glory for Mitchelstown CBS

Mitchelstown CBS senior hurlers captured a first All-Ireland hurling title for the school with a comprehensive win over St Mary’s Magherafelt in Abbotstown on Saturday last.

Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, Mitchelstown settled immediately to the task and were quickly on the scoreboard through Darragh O’Brien. Points from Luke Keating, Darragh O’Brien again and Oisín Ryan followed before a brace from Ben Carey, the second a particularly fine score, to put CBS ahead by 6 points to no score. The Derry side opened their scoring with a pointed free, but the CBS response was quick and decisive, with Shane Looney setting up Matthew Fitzgibbon for a fine goal.

A great solo run from Darragh O’Brien ended with a shot on goal saved by the keeper but the Derry defence conceded a free in the follow-up and Luke Keating pointed. Further points from play followed from Ben Carey and Oisín Ryan.

The pattern of the half was well established at this stage, and the dominance of the halfback line of Cathal Walsh, Cathal English and Jack McNamara meant that the forwards were getting quality ball sent in. The midfield duo of Darragh O’Brien and Charlie English were in control and in truth it was difficult for St Marys to breach the CBS middle third. Shane Looney, excellent throughout, added another point from play having fought hard for possession on the right wing.

Almost immediately afterwards, Darragh O’Brien added another to put CBS ahead 1-11 to 0-01. Luke Keating was typically accurate from a free before St Marys scored their first from play. Again though CBS responded, Luke Keating the creator this time in setting up Shane Looney for the second goal of the game and leaving CBS in a commanding position at the break, leading 2-12 to 0-02.

It can be a challenge to maintain the high level of effort with such a sizable lead, but CBS showed from the whistle that they were not going to slacken off. Cathal English took a quick free to Cathal Walsh, who had anticipated well and moved into space, and he was unerring from distance to stretch the lead. St Marys now had the breeze and in the opening 15 minutes of the half they showed much greater promise and threat.

They needed goals to ignite a challenge but found the Mitchelstown defence solid. Cathal English was on the goal line to clear on two occasions, and Diarmuid O’Brien was quick to block a further effort. Good work by Matthew Fitzgibbon and Luke Keating led to a point from play from Charlie English, CBS now leading 2-14 to 0-02. At the other end, keeper Eoghan Geary was safe under a high, dropping ball, and corner backs Adam Barry and Diarmuid O’Brien were excellent in limiting opportunities for their opponents.

St Marys got the next two scores, having to settle for points each time. They were never allowed to build any momentum though. Evan Hickey’s determination and work rate saw him create a chance for himself which he pointed with aplomb. CBS now led by 2-15 to 0-04. The Derry side added a point from play, but further efforts were tigerishly defended by Diarmuid O’Brien, Cathal Walsh and Cathal English.

The work rate of the CBS boys was then summed up by co-captain Shane Looney; with his side leading by 17 points he refused to give up, battling for possession with a number of Derry defenders. Emerging with the ball he placed Conor Walsh, who made an instant impact with a well-taken goal.

To their credit the Derry side continued to work hard, and had the next 2 points before Luke Keating replied, again from a placed ball, to put CBS ahead by 3-16 to 0-07. Jamie Fogarty, one of the stars all year at fullback for CBS, was strong in defence, and Cian O’Brien was excellent in blocking a goalbound effort. St Marys final score was a pointed free, but fittingly CBS had the last say, with Conor Walsh pointing from play to leave it 3-17 to 0-08 at the final whistle.

The final may have lacked the tension of the previous two games, but it was nevertheless celebrated wildly by the panel and large group of supporters who made the long journey. Co-captains Shane Looney and Luke Keating accepted the Michael Cusack Cup on behalf of the team. This is a first national title for CBS in hurling and comes 7 years after similar success in the senior football final of 2016. It is a tremendous achievement for the school but particularly so for the panel of players who have worked hard all year, and for the management team of Mr Anthony Nash and Mr. Willie Duggan.

The school is very cognisant of the role played by the clubs in developing the players, and of the role of the other coaches in the school who have worked with these boys over their years in CBS. The achievement and success is a collective one, and one we hope will inspire others to great heights in the years ahead.

Team: Eoghan Geary, Diarmuid O’Brien, Jamie Fogarty, Adam Barry, Cathal Walsh, Cathal English, Jack McNamara, Charlie English, Darragh O’Brien, Ben Carey, Shane Looney, Evan Hickey, Matthew Fitzgibbon, Luke Keating and Oisín Ryan. Subs used: Kevin Cotter, Cian Coughlan, Cian Ryan, Cian O’Brien and Conor Walsh.