Wexford CBS...................................2-14
St. Patrick’s (Downpatrick).............1-8
WEXFORD CBS secured their place in the Masita All-Ireland Schools
Senior Hurling ‘C’ final when they eventually overcame the stiff challenge of
Ulster champions St. Patrick’s Grammar School from Downpatrick (Down) in the
magnificent surroundings of Parnell’s GAA Club last Saturday.
The Wexford students lost the toss and had to play into the gale
force wind in the opening half. They were rocked in the fifth minute when St.
Patrick’s razor sharp corner forward Oisin McManus pounced on a loose ball and
bore down on goal before giving Brad Cohen no chance with a stinging shot.
The Ulster side withdrew a forward, Conall Fay, to play as an extra
defender in the first half which was a curious decision considering they
enjoyed the strong wind. Despite the numerical advantage at the back there was
nothing St. Patrick’s could do to stop Stephen Kearney from finding the net for
CBS. Sean Stafford’s 65 dropped short due to the wind and Kearney was alert
enough to grab it and squeeze it into the net. This together with a nice point
from Rob Donnelly was all that the recently crowned Leinster champions could
manage in the first half and their defence worked overtime to keep the score
down.
McManus was the Down’s teams main source of scores as he converted
two frees and nipped in for a point from play but his marker John Hamilton got
to grips with him as the half wore on. McManus’s attacking colleagues found
life very difficult against the Wexford defence where Joe Redmond, Ciaran
Kirwan and Evan Dunbar repelled numerous attacks.
However, the Wexford students retired at the break losing by 1-4 to
1-1 which was the first time all year that they have been trailing at the
changeover. The advantage of the strong wind would be significant for CBS in
the second half but they still had to chase the game and break down their
opponents who played with one and sometimes two extra defenders in the second
half.
Sean Stafford got CBS off to an encouraging start with two points (one free)
but at the other end it was goalkeeper Brad Cohen who produced a super double
save to deny the Down students what would have been the considerable boost of a
second goal.
Eoin Roche tapped over his first point moments later and when the
hard-working Conor Fenlon was fouled, Sean Stafford split the posts. Oisin
McManus had converted two ‘65s so the Mourne men still had the lead entering
the final quarter (1-6 to 1-5).
It was at this stage that the CBS students began to make their
pressure tell. Conor Fenlon was narrowly wide with an attempt on goal but they
took the lead when Stephen Kearney pointed from a tight angle, Sean Stafford
pointed a free following a foul on Kearney and wing back Joe McBride scored the
first of his two long range points.
CBS got the goal they needed in the 48th minute when Kearney’s
shot was saved by the St. Patrick’s keeper Conan Hynds but Ian Moran was first
on the rebound and he found the net which gave his side a 2-8 to 1-6 lead.
Back came the Down lads with a point from midfielder Eoin King but
CBS turned the screw entering the final ten minutes when the influential Nicky
Lawlor passed to Eoin Roche who pointed and Sean Stafford popped over a free
after Conor Fenlon earned another free.
A late flurry of points from Joe McBride, Stafford (two) and
substitute Richie Cleary sealed the victory for Wexford CBS who progress to the
All-Ireland final for the first time in their history.
They will meet the winners of the other semi-final between Munster
champions Salesian College of Pallaskenry (Limerick) and the Connacht winners
Colaiste Einde (Galway) or St. Mary’s College (Galway).
Wexford CBS: Brad Cohen (St. Martin’s); Daniel Lynch (Faythe Harriers), Evan
Dunbar (St. Martin’s), John Hamilton (St. Martin’s); Joe Redmond (Shelmaliers),
Ciaran Kirwan (Faythe Harriers), Joe McBride (Volunteers 0-2); Jamie McDonnell
(Faythe Harriers Capt.), Nicky Lawlor (Faythe Harriers); Sean Stafford (St.
Martin’s 0-7, 5 frees), Eoin Roche (Faythe Harriers 0-2), Conor Fenlon
(Glynn-Barntown); Stephen Kearney (Faythe Harriers 1-1), Ian Moran (Glynn-Barntown
1-0), Rob Donnelly (Buffers Alley 0-1).
Subs: Liam Barry (Faythe Harriers)
for Dunbar inj., Mikey Coleman (St. Martin’s) for Moran, John Forde
(Shelmaliers) for Kearney, Richie Cleary (Clonard 0-1) for McDonnell, Dylan
Hynes (Clonard) for Roche.
St. Patrick’s (Downpatrick): Conan
Hynds; Niall Smyth, PJ Davidson, Marc Fisher; Jake Carville, Niall Gilmore,
Cormac Coulter (0-1 free); Brook Byers, Eoin King (0-1); Sean Hardy, Emmett
O’Neill, Ryan Watson; Oisin McManus (1-6 3 frees 2 ‘65s), Daithi Sands, Conall
Fay.
Ron Donnelly and Nicky Lawlor in action.