Castletroy College Take Munster Hurling Title In Style
The Castletroy College under 15 hurling team won the munster Corn Solo Cup for the second time in six years with an impressive eight point victory over Bandon in Charleville on Friday the 23rd of April. This was a well deserved victory for a group of players who over the school year have shown a great will to work hard for each other and to develop both their hurling and football skills. This coupled with a very positive attitude has brought them respect and complements from each team they have played.
The final was a game of high intensity and an impressive level of skill displayed by both sides. Castletroy got of to a great start when a ball from Kevin Mulcahy was flicked to the net by Tom Morrissey after Edward Doyle had created the space in front of the posts. This was followed by points from Jamie Porter, Barry Nash(2), Edward Doyle, Stephen Power(2), Tom Morrissey, Kevin Mulcahy and an impressive team worked score taken by Pat O’Kane. This left the Castletroy lads with a good lead but a late goal from the Bandon boys left the score at half time at 1-9 to 1-3.
The team now had to face a strong freeze for the second half and when Bandon reduced the deficit to 3 points, with three scores from their very able mid-fielder things began to look a bit suspect for Castletroy 10 minutes into the second period. The introduction of Ronan Murphy at centre back and the moving of John Nicholas to wing forward allowed Aidan Hanley to move into midfield where he took control. This laid the foundations for the recovery as shortly afterwards John Nicholas took a fine goal which put the team back on track. Andrew La Touche-Cosgrave and Jeffrey Enright really came into their own clearing ball after ball with great skill and composure. This was also true of the full back line lead by the outstanding Darragh Kennedy and well supported by Paddy Morrissey and John Sheahan.
Bandon were unlucky when they had a goal effort strike the crossbar and a couple of good efforts dealt with ably by Cian O’Dwyer in goals. When Stephen Power added a point from a free, to cap off a fine display in his sweepers role, and Edward Doyle another fine score from play the win looked likely. With Jamie Porter, John Fox and Pat O’Kane working hard around the middle of the field and Kevin Mulcahy catching great ball it was no surprise when Tom Morrissey raced clear to score the insurance goal late on.
Cian O’Dwyer accepted the Corn Solo on behave of his team mates from Michael Forrestal (Secretary of the Munster Colleges). Another players who contributed to this victory through their play in previous rounds were Cian O’Brien, Aidan Walsh, Mark Dillion, Sean Power and Conor Bartley.
Congratulations to all involved on a superb occasion for the school. A special word of thanks goes to Trevor Griffin, Liam O’Mahoney, Paudie Fitzmaurice, Leonard Coughlan, Donal Morrissey and Michael Nash.
It has proven to be a very successful season for the Castletroy College GAA teams. In total there were six trophies won. They Include :
Dr O’Neill Cup U16 1/2 Football – Captained by Sean Moran
Kennell Cup U16 1/2 Hurling - Captained by Seamus Hartnett
Corn Cup U15 Hurling – Captained by Cian O’Brien
Russell Cup U14 Football – Captained by Jamie Porter
Peadar Clohessy Cup 1st Year Hurling – Captained by Barry Nash
Manning Shield 1st Year Football – Captained by Edward Doyle
