On Friday the 7th of November, the two semi finals of the Roinn A schools football competition took place. Carrick-on-Suir played Gaelscoil Thurles and St Colmcille’s Templemore faced up to St. Peter and Paul’s Clonmel.
Our players were all on the bus ready to set off on our destination to Boherlahan GAA pitch just after our breaktime. Twenty one players and three managers. We were all very fired up for the match after the St Colmcille’s pep up talk by Mr. Healy, Mr. Doyle and Mr. Kelly.
We were soon there in Boherlahan with the sun shining and a strong breeze. We got off the bus and walked along the fine Boherlahan pitch which was in great order. We went into the dressing room and got togged out. The teachers called out the team as follows:
Shane Sweeney in goal. The full back line was Luke Ormond, Stephen Cahill and Niall Moloney. A half back line made up of Jack Nevin, Eoin Quinn and Patrick Moloney At centre field was Conor Cadell and John Campion. Our half forward were Jim Bob Kennedy, James Corcoran and Killian Fennell. Finally the full Forward line was Kevin Sheedy, Ciaran McCormack and Brian Quinn. Our subs were Patrick Ryan, Sean Collier, Kane Conneely, David Quinn, Michael Cahill and Mickey Delaney.
We ran out onto the pitch and did a few warm ups, as Patrick Ryan went up for the toss. We loss that but that was the only thing we would lose that day. The referee John Bob Ryan, former goalie for Cashel King Cormacs, blew his whistle and threw up the ball.
The match was on. Our two midfielders won the throw in and we progressed from there with two points. Peter and Pauls bounced back and also scored two points. But with no fear St. Colmcille’s worked a great goal. John Campion gave the ball to James Corcoran and he side-stepped 3 players, then gave a high ball into the square for Ciaran McCormack to fist the ball to hit. Kerry may have Donaghy but we have Rucker! A goal for Colmcille’s and a lead of 4 points at half time. We told ourselves we needed more as we knew St. Peter & Paul’s would not give up easily. Our managers issued their instructions and it was all go again.
We jogged back into our places. John Ryan blew his whistle and the second half was on. They came at us hard but our back men stood their ground and got the ball out everytime. Both teams played good football and scored two points each. Subs were brought in late in the match to freshen things up. John Ryan blew his whistle and the match was over.
St. Colmcilles with another great victory. We changed and got on the bus. Then Mr Doyle said that Gaelscoil beat Carrick which means another hard match coming up in the final.
By Patrick Moloney