Northside school held their nerve in extra time of U15 hurling thriller

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire an Mhainistir Thuaigh 0-23 CBC 2-16
(after extra time)

GAELCHOLÁISTE Mhuire an Mhainistir Thuaigh captured the Munster U15 B Schools Hurling title following a gripping decider that went to extra-time in Riverstown recently.

Eoin Ó Laoire was inspirational throughout, keeping his cool for the northsiders to ensure they were in a position to power in front in the additional 20 minutes and hold off a late charge from Christians.

It was a significant victory for the Mon, as pupils were drawn from the Gaelcholáiste and traditional section of the school, in a link-up that was cemented this season to give all the players the chance to hurl at the highest possible level.

Early points from Glen ace Ó Laoire got the Mon up and running before CBC responded through a fine and clinical finish by David Cremin to go into the lead.

Christians followed up with scores from Michael Finn to go into a three-point. However, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire were able to reply on Ó Laoire’s accuracy while Colm Ó Riagáin and Liam Ó Drisceoil also pointed with decent efforts and it was 0-6 to 1-2 in their favour after 20 minutes.

Two points before the break, a free by Finn along with a Matthew O’Callaghan score from play, saw CBC edge in front after 30 minutes.

Early in the second half, the lively O’Callaghan went on a fine run before tucking the ball into the corner of the net and CBC looked like they had gained critical momentum in an enthralling clash.

However, Ó Laoire kept the scoreboard ticking from frees and play and the schools couldn’t be separated in normal time.

In extra-time, GC Mhuire got a grip with Ó Laoire maintaining his match-winning form while Conor Mac Aogáin and Mícheál Ó Síocháin also split the posts.

Scorers for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG: E Ó Laoire (0-9 f, 1 65) 0-16, L Ó Drisceoil (0-1 65) 0-2, J Ó Ciarúbháin, C Mac Aogáin, M Ó Síocháin, C Ó Riagáin, SP Cúc 0-1 each.

CBC: M Finn (0-8 f, 0-1 65) 0-9, D Cremin, M O’Callaghan 1-3 each, P Mayer 0-1.

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AG: C MacUidhir; S Ó Dálaigh (Na Piarsaigh), S Ó Scanlainn (do), P Ó Liatháin (do); J Ó Ciarúbháin (Glen Rovers), S Ó Cróinín (do), C Ó Buacháin (Na Piarsaigh); L Ó Drisceoil (do), JP O’Brien (St Vincent’s): A Ó Loingsigh (Na Piarsaigh), E Ó Laoire (Glen Rovers), R Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh); C MacAogáin (Glen Rovers), M Ó Síocháin (Na Piarsaigh), C Ó Riagáin (Watergrasshill).

Subs: R MacCoitir (Na Piarsaigh) for Ó Buacháin (h-t), SP Cúc (Na Piarsaigh) for MacAogáin (41), MacAogáin for O’Brien (55), O’Brien for Ó Ciarúbháin (66), Ó Buacháin for Ó Loingsigh (70).

CBC: Fionn Heffernan (Mallow); T Buckley (Blarney), B McCarthy (Bishopstown), J Coleman (Shamrocks); D Wall (Glen Rovers), B Kingston (Mallow), D Browne (Blackrock); M Finn (Midleton), P Mayer (Ballinora); G O’Shea (Douglas), J O’Sullivan (Blackrock), M O’Callaghan (Sarsfields); D Cremin (Midleton), D Murray (Bishopstown), C Dunphy (Erin’s Own).

Subs: J Leddy (Sars) for Dunphy (43), P O’Shea (Erin’s Own) for Mayer (69), Mayer for Leddy (73), W Kavanagh (Midleton) for O’Sullivan (75).