On Thursday May 28th, St. Colmcille’s U13 hurlers embarked on booking their place in the 2015 U13A County Final. Having departed the championship at this stage last year no stone was left unturned in the build up to the challenge of St. Mary’s PS, Clonmel. Mary’s were the reigning champions from 2014 and everyone anticipated a humdinger of a battle and spectators were not disappointed.
On a blustery day in Boherlahan, both teams arrived with victory in their sights. Fergal Horgan was the referee for the day and both management teams were happy in the knowledge that one of the best refs in the business would preside over the encounter.
At approximately 1.15 pm the first whistle sounded and proceedings got underway. Both teams started nervously and scores were at a premium. Ciaran McCormack, who started at full forward was beginning to make his presence felt and after some wayward shooting he pounced on a loose ball and blasted it to the net. The St. Mary’s netminder, who was fantastic all day was left helpless for Ciaran’s effort. St. Mary’s number 8 pointed a well taken free to keep his team in touch in a game where both defences were on top.
Kevin Sheedy was Templemore’s custodian for the day and he proved to be coolness personified between the sticks. Stephen Cahill guarded the St. Colmcille’s square like a man possessed and gave a performance worthy of Man of the Match when all was decided. Luke Ormond and Niall Moloney made up the other two thirds of a full backline who were mean when scoring chances reared their heads.
Mid-way through the first half John Campion struck a monstrous point from behind the half way line. This signalled his entrance to proceedings and he proved a real star as the game wore on. On his flanks were Patrick Moloney and Jack Nevin who didn’t put a foot wrong all day.
The scoreline now read 1-1 to 0-1 in favour of a fancied St. Colmcille’s team and while the Templemore men had showed glimpses of brilliance it was hardly a vintage first half. Just on the stroke of half time St. Colmcille’s centre forward James Corcoran finished off a devastating move with a supreme point from the right wing. The half time score-line read 1-2 to 0-1 to the boys from Carden’s Wild Domain. This game was in the balance and the large crowd anticipated more fireworks as the second half approached.
Both teams were well versed on tactics for the second half with their respective management teams and with 2 loud cheers both young teams went into combat for a place in Semple Stadium come mid June. St. Mary’s started the second half brightly and kept the scoreboard ticking with another pointed free. Pressure was mounting on the Mid-Tipp boys and they obliged with a flurry of scores. John Campion started the scoring spree with a well taken point from a 65. This was followed by a majestic goal from James Corcoran and a haul of 2-2 from Ciaran ‘Rucker’ McCormack who was a constant threat in front of goals. During this ten minute spell Colmcille’s turned on the style and a further 2 points from Conor Cadell proved a bridge too far for St. Mary’s to cross on this occasion. They fought gallantly until the final whistle and with time as their enemy the ball was blasted to the net from the set-piece to narrow the margin.
Cadell was pivotal in the middle of the field and he was ably assisted by Eoin Quinn who worked tirelessly. Wing forwards Jim Bob Kennedy and Killian Fennell created some gilt edged chances with their dynamic running while Patrick Ryan and Mikey Delaney kept the St. Mary’s corner backs on their toes. Substitutes Sean Collier, Brian Quinn, Michael Cahill, Cian Sheedy and Kevin Allen all played their part in a hard fought victory for the boys from the foot of the ‘Devil’s Bit’.
In what was a highly entertaining game the final score-line tallied St. Colmcille’s 4-7, St. Mary’s 1-2. Compliments must be afforded to the referee Fergal Horgan who did a great job and to the grounds man in Boherlahan who had the field in pristine condition.
St. Colmcille’s now await the winners of Cashel BNS and Scoil Ailbhe in the 2015 decider. Whoever comes through that tie will be major opposition for the Templemore men who have history in their sights. Will it be third time lucky for Principal Healy’s charges or will the ‘The Holy Grail’ elude them once more? Only time will tell but for now it’s back to the training paddock for some intense preparations.