Roscrea hang on to win Munster Schools Hurling title

GAA: TUS Munster Post Primary Schools Under 19 ‘D’ Hurling Final

Colaiste Phobal, Roscrea 4-12

St Munchin’s College, Limerick 2-13

Report: Jack McKay in UL

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Gearoid Maher (Colaiste Phobal, Roscrea)

SCORERS – Colaiste Phobal Roscrea: Sam Dooley 1-6 (0-5 frees); James Sampson 2-1; Gearoid Maher 0-3 frees; Seamie Cleere 1-0; Jack Walsh 0-2.

St Munchin’s College, Limerick: Ciaran Howard 1-6 (1-5 frees), Henry Hodgins 1-1; Ruaidhri Nolan, Dan Hogan 0-2 each; Gavin Marshall (free), Mark McDermott 0-1 each.

A dramatic goal at the death from James Sampson secured Colaiste Phobal Roscrea’s win over St Munchin’s College from Limerick in the Munster PPS Senior ‘D’ Hurling final.

A fantastic contest in UL last Wednesday afternoon, Munchin’s made it difficult for their Tipperary opponents – twice fighting back to within reach of winning.

Roscrea had led from the fifth minute, but as time wound down, Munchin’s were still hanging on. Needing a goal, Ciaran Howard cleverly struck one low from a free to cut the gap from six to three, with four minutes to go.

Howard followed that up with a pointed free in the 59th minute which left it 3-12 to 2-13, but as the clock moved into the red – Gearoid Maher dropped in a free that was brilliantly batted in by Sampson, for the Shinrone man to seal victory for the Tipp school.

A heartbreaking end to the game for Munchin’s – who had fought back valiantly after a dreadful start. The concession of three goals in the first quarter of an hour left the Corbally school with a lot of ground to make up.

Roscrea led by ten points after twenty minutes, but by the half Munchin’s had shaved that lead down to three. A couple of points from Dan Hogan reduced their arrears to the minimum – 3-5 to 1-10, two minutes into the new half.

An important score from Sam Dooley followed, giving Roscrea their first raised flag in eighteen minutes, and by the end of the third quarter they had stretched their lead back out to three – 3-8 to 1-11.

Frees from Maher (2) and Dooley (2) allowed Roscrea to pull out a six-point advantage with five minutes to go, but Munchin’s wouldn’t go away.

A brilliantly worked opportunity between Ruaidhrí Nolan and Hogan set Gavin Marshall up for a goal chance, and while his shot was excellently saved – Marshall was fouled. Howard cunningly squeezed in the free at the near post to give Munchin’s a chance, but the early goals and Sampson’s knockout blow ensured they came up short.

Roscrea were out to prove a point early on – and goaled within five. Maher delivered the long ball in, which Dooley knocked on perfectly for Sampson.

The half-forward got away from his man and pulled on the sliotar, 1-1 to 0-1.

By the tenth minute Roscrea had doubled their lead, as Paul Simpson worked it to Jack Walsh, who in turn set up Seamie Cleere for the finish, 2-4 to 0-2.

Cleere turned from scorer to provider for the next one – as he pounced on a defensive error from Munchin’s and set up Dooley for the close-range finish, 3-4 to 0-3 with sixteen minutes elapsed.

Though Munchin’s wouldn’t sink without a fight, Roscrea had made excellent use of their purple patch. They played with conviction, and despite hard-working performances from the likes of Mark McDermott and Marshall, Roscrea had too much quality and were full value for the win.

TEAMS – Colaiste Phobal, Roscrea: Matt Watkins (Ballyskenach/Killavilla); Michael Loughnane (Roscrea), Cathal McDonald (Roscrea), Josh Loughnane (Roscrea); Sean Maher (Moneygall), Paul Simpson (Shinrone), Darragh Phelan (Ballyskenach/Killavilla); Gearoid Maher (Shinrone, J-Capt), Aaron O’Donoghue (Roscrea); James Sampson (Shinrone), Paul Dooley (Roscrea), Seamie Cleere (Ballyskenach/Killavilla); Jack Moloney (Roscrea), Sam Dooley (Roscrea, J-Capt), Jack Walsh (Roscrea).

Subs: Calum Mitchell (Roscrea) for Walsh (50), Miko Pasalic (Roscrea) for Dooley (57).

St. Munchin’s College, Limerick: Brendan Minogue; Eoin Barrett, Killian Playon, Jack Begley; Mark McDermott, Padraig Reddan (Capt), Sean Maxwell; Ruaidhri Nolan, Dylan O’Connell; Gavin Marshall, Henry Hodgins, Ciaran Howard; Sam Barrett, Darragh Dillon, Dan Hogan.

Subs: Gearoid O’Brien for McDermott (45); Denis O’Driscoll for Hodgins (45).

Referee: Éamonn Stapleton (Limerick).