Green machine win derby final

MUNSTER COLLEGES SENIOR (U-19) ‘E’ HURLING FINAL

Tralee CBS 3-14 Mercy Mounthawk 3-4

AN interesting pairing in the final of the Munster Colleges Senior (Under 19) E Hurling Final in the Tralee IT Sports Campus, last Friday afternoon, given that it’s normally a pairing one is more likely to see in the Corn Ui Mhuiri football competition.

With seven different clubs represented in the match day squads, which included fifteen players from Tralee Parnells, it reflected currently the growth of the code in both of these schools.

A contest with a lot of intensity, which threatened to boil over on occasion, and it did midway through the second half and, while the match official brandished a lot of cards, which included two red, right at the end of proceedings he tended at times to be somewhat lenient, in his efforts to let the game flow.

However, it shouldn’t detract from the contest as a whole, and, to the performance of the Tralee CBS side, who were in the end fully deserving and comfortable winners.

Physically stronger with an older age profile The Green, once they scored their first goal early in the second half, were always thereafter looking the likely winners. Mounthawk battled bravely for the duration, and, were on level terms, coming up to the interval, but after a late scoring flourish had afforded the CBS a four point lead, at the break, Mounthawk couldn’t really cope with The Green’s early onslaught after half-time.

More methodical, with more individual aces, the CBS exerted a firm stranglehold in all sectors, once they had extended their lead to nine points, within four minutes of the restart and thereafter, despite Mounthawk continuing to pursue the issue with admirable endeavour there was never really the likelihood of The Green surrendering a sizeable and spiralling advantage.

Level, on one point apiece after five minutes, Mounthawk were in front four minutes later, 1-1 0-3 when, their full-forward Darragh Courtney made tracks along the end line and finished neatly from an acute angle for the game’s first goal.

Certainly, Mounthawk were well equal to the challenge in these early stages, with Jack Sheehan, in particular, in the heart of their defence being quite prominent and influential.

They retained a scoring advantage 1-2 0-3 to the end of the opening quarter and were full value for it even if Darragh Reen for the CBS was already showing glimpses of his undoubted talent.

Three successive pointed frees from Darragh O’Donoghue edged The Green back in front 0-6 1-2 by the eighteenth minute, extended to three points 0-8 1-2 courtesy of two fine scores from Darragh Reen and Cian McDonagh.

However, the response once again from Mounthawk was pretty emphatic with Sean Clifford, having worked extremely hard to get himself into a good scoring position, finishing low to the CBS net for an equalising goal 2-2 0-8 five minutes from the half time break.

However, Darragh O Donoghue’s unerring free taking continued to be a significant factor and three more pointed frees from him meant that The Green having had the advantage of the breeze were four points in front 0-12 2-2 at half-time, with O Donoghue having contributed seven points to their first half tally.

Within three minutes of the restart, The Green had doubled their advantage courtesy of 1-1 from Darragh Reen, and, with Darragh O Donoghue converting another pointed free, the CBS nine points in front 1-14 2-2 were firmly in the driving seat by the thirty fourth minute.

A melee, involving a number of players and joined by some other people from the sideline, momentarily interrupted proceedings creating a situation, which was pretty needless and totally unacceptable and resulted in one of the Mounthawk players receiving some attention when, things had cooled down.

A lot of exposure has been given to some unsavoury incidents in GAA matches recently, but unfortunately lessons are still not being learned. When play resumed a goal from substitute Eamonn Rohan consolidated The Green’s situation even further 2-14 2-3 by the end of the third quarter.

Rohan added another goal with a tap in from close range in the forty eight minute and thereafter the contest drifted to its inevitable conclusion. Colm Healy with 1-1 inspired a late surge from Mounthawk, but it merely put a different complexion on the scoreboard, with both sides finishing the game with fourteen players, following dismissals in the final few minutes.

The celebrations, which followed the final whistle confirmed what it really meant to the CBS players, given the disappointment they had suffered in recent years. A special occasion, and achievement by them, and, for Mounthawk the possibility that they might well be following in their footsteps next year, and, beyond. TRALEE CBS: Devon Burns (Parnells), Daniel O Rourke (Crotta), Aodhan Mc Kenna (Crotta), Jonathan Lowe (Parnells), Ruari O Sullivan (Parnells), Tadgh Brick (Parnells), Luke Chester (Parnells), Ryan Mc Elligott (Crotta), Cian Mc Donagh (0-2) (Ardfert), Declan O Donoghue (Crotta), James Sheehan (Crotta), Darragh Reen (1-3) (Parnells) Daire Keane (0-1),(Parnells), Denis Quill (Crotta), Darragh O Donoghue (0-8 frees) (Crotta) Subs: Sean Mc Grath (Crotta) (D Keane), Eamonn Rohan (2-0) (Crotta), (C Mc Donagh), Denis Nolan (Crotta) (D Quill)

MERCY MOUNTHAWK: Robin Porter (Parnells), Liam O Brien (Lixnaw), Ciaran Monohan (Kilmoyley), Niall O Shea (St Brendans), David Ryle (St Brendans), Jack Sheehan (Abbeydorney), Niall Cassidy (Parnells), Cathal Dunne (Parnells), Padraig O Sullivan (St Brendans), Sean Clifford (1-0) (St Brendans) Colm Healy (1-1 1-0 free) (St Brendans), Aidan O Brien (Lixnaw), Sean Brosnan (0-3 0-2 frees)St Brendans), Darragh Courtney (1-0), (St Brendans), Billy Daly (St Brendans) Sub: Joe Hannifin (Parnells) (A O Brien)

REFEREE: Simon Stokes (Cork)