2023 County Junior B Hurling Semi Final

FBD Junior B Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Cappawhite 1-12

Carrick Swan 0-12

By John O’Shea

Cappawhite are through to the final of the FBD Insurance Junior B Hurling championship as a result of their three-point victory over Carrick Swan at Littleton on Saturday afternoon. They will make their first final appearance in this grade, having failed to pass the semi-final stage on their four previous appearances.

This was Cappawhite’s second game in three days, having defeated North champions, Knockshegowna, in the quarter-final at Clonoulty on Wednesday night. Fielding the exact starting 15 on Saturday, they showed no ill effects of Wednesday’s encounter. If anything, that game on Wednesday night stood to them as they had not been in competitive action for a number of weeks.

Heavy rain in the 30 minutes preceding the throw-in cleared off, but the underfoot conditions were demanding on a heavy surface. Nevertheless, both sides served up an entertaining encounter, with the outcome in doubt up to the finish. While the South men got off to a flying start and had two points on the board inside the opening 90 seconds, it was the West men who set the pace thereafter, with a goal on seven minutes being the difference between the sides throughout.

Cappa led by the minimum at the break, 1-6 to 0-8, and this was as close as Swan would get. They failed to draw level at any stage and were over-dependant on Jack Kelly from placed balls. Both defences dominated at various times during the game, with the heavy conditions also playing a part. Cappawhite finished the better and had run up a four-point lead going into time added on, as the extra man benefited them. Swan had been reduced to fourteen players when Darren Waters was red-carded halfway through the second half.

As the game entered added time, it became very scrappy and referee, Tom McGrath, had to be at his best. Cappawhite’s Ciarán Doody was dismissed on a second yellow following a mini flare-up prior to the final whistle.

Carrick Swan got off to a flying start with midfielder, Alan Walsh splitting the posts after fifteen seconds. David Walsh doubled their advantage on 90 seconds following a good workout near the corner at the stand side by Jack Kelly. On their first attack, Anthony Barry converted a placed ball at the road end, having drawn the free himself.

With both inside backs on top, scores were hard to come by, but Cappa got a big break on seven minutes. James Quinlan’s long-range free out of defence dropped into the goalmouth and Anthony Barry was first to react and he somewhat managed to get the ball over the line. This gave them a cushion for the remainder of the contest, as Swan were unable to get their head in front despite coming close on occasions.

Jack Kelly got the first of his nine points from a placed ball before James Quinlan landed a 65 after Jack Armshaw’s effort was deflected. Kelly struck two further frees with deadly accuracy on either side of an Anthony Barry minor. Sean Cleary cut in for a point from open play before Kelly and Barry shared the remaining scores before the interval to leave the West men one to the good on the score Cappawhite 1-6, Carrick Swan 0-8 after a very even opening half.

Tommy Coughlan drew first blood after the break with a point from out near the dressing broom sideline, easing Cappa into a two-point advantage. Evan Hogan cut the deficit to the minimum but Barry and Kelly shared four points between them to keep the status quo.

The game turned slightly in favour of the West men following the dismissal of substitute, Darren Waters on a red card for an off-the-ball incident. Jack Armstrong caught a Cappa puck out cleanly and shook off his markers before splitting the posts.

This score really lifted his team and Cappa hit the next two scores; Sean Cleary from play and a free from James Quinlan from well over ninety meters, going four up in the process. Jack Kelly closed out the scoring in added time with a point from a free, before Cappa were also reduced to fourteen; Ciarán Doody receiving a second yellow.

Cappawhite are through to their first county final at this grade and will meet Mid champions, Drom & Inch in the decider.

Cappawhite: Michael R. Buckley; Ross Dunne, Thomas Costello, Michael O’Neill; Michael P. Buckley, Ciarán Ryan (P), James Quinlan (0-2, 0-1f, 0-1 65); Paddy Julian, Tommy Coughlan (0-1); Jack Armshaw (0-2), Eoghan Ryan, Fionn Brady; Neil Clancy, Anthony Barry (1-5, 0-5f), Sean Clancy (0-2).

Subs used: Ciarán Doody for Fionn Brady (37); Caoimhín Doody for Jack Armshaw (57, inj); James Bradshaw for Anthony Barry (60).

Carrick Swans: James Waters; Ryan Keswick, Sean Boland, Dean Clery; Darren Murphy, Jamie Long, Gerry Walsh; Alan Walsh (0-1), Keith Walsh; Paul Diffily, Rowland Fitzpatrick, Gavin Parslow; Evan Hogan (0-1), David Walsh (0-1), Jack Kelly (0-9, 0-6f, 0-1 65).

Subs used: Paudie Walsh for Rowland Fitzpatrick (34); Darren Waters for Gavin Parslow (39); Warren Fleming for Davis Walsh (56).

Referee: Tom McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)

Michael McCarthy post match interview with John O’ Shea.

(Back L-R): Seán Cleary, Ciarán Doody, Caoimhín Doody, Michael (R) Buckley, Shane Murphy, Ciarán Ryan (P), Michael (P) Buckley, Thomas Costello, Ross Dunne, James Bradshaw, Paddy Julian. (Front L-R): Neil Clancy, Timmy Cranley, Fionn Brady, Jack Armshaw, James Quinlan, Tommy Coughlan (Captain), Anthony Barry, Michael O’ Neill, Eoghan Ryan.