Maria Marron Palmers Hill Stud West Junior B Hurling League Final
Cappawhite 3-11 (20)
Clonoulty/Rossmore 1-13 (16)
Francis Coughlan at Leahy Park Cashel
Cappawhite created history at Leahy Park Cashel on Tuesday evening becoming the first team to retain the Maria Marron Palmers Hill Stud West Junior B Hurling League title. In the eight running of the competition, it was just the second year the previous years champions had returned to the decider and the old adage that goals win games certainly rings through. Cappawhite took three on offer to them during the first thirty minutes while Clonoulty/Rossmore failed to take the goal chances that fell their way in that period and this ultimately laid the platform for the defending champion’s victory.
The defending champions certainly didn’t have it all their own way. Three Ger Mockler points in the first four minutes including two from placed balls had Clonoulty/Rossmore three to the good. Cappawhite struggled with the radar early on but that changed in the eighth minute when James Quinlan grabbed their first green flag after taking a pass from Mikey Carmody. The sides were level again after ten minutes with Fionn Brady and Ger Mockler swapping points. Just before the quarter mark James Quinlan had his and Cappawhite’s second goal when he sent a rocket of a shot past Paddy Ryan. Clonoulty/Rossmore continued to take the game to their opponents but missed a number of chances including one or two half goal chances. Kieran Carroll ended a ten-minute spell without a point when he pointed in the twenty first minute but Anthony Barry goaled to extend Cappawhite’s lead after the sliotar broke from a long free where he finished to the net. Despite points from Ger Mockler and Kevin Maher, Clonoulty/Rossmore could have been closer at the break. Cappawhite holding a four-point advantage at the break 3-2 to 0-7.
Clonoulty/Rossmore introduced Finbarr Ryan for the second half and he had an immediate impact with a point. In the fifth minute Clonoulty/Rossmore were back within a point when Patrick Hennessy flicked to the net after the goalie had batted the sliotar. Mikey Carmody and James Quinlan responded to restore a three-point advantage. By the three-quarter mark that three points still separated the sides. Heading in the final quarter, Clonoulty/Rossmore looked to be winning the battle but they struggled to gather possession against a tough Cappawhite full back line. The difference in this time was that Cappawhite were turning their possession and chances into scores. Two quick points in a row from Colm O’Dwyer and Mikey Carmody had pushed the defending champions six clear with four to play. Clonoulty/Rossmore rallied but points from Kevin Maher and Ger Mockler were as close as they could get. Cappawhite retaining their title, 3-11 to 1-13.
Cappawhite were strong in defence with Michael O’Neill, Daire Duggan and Ryan Renehan to the fore. Tommy Coughlan was strong at midfield while Mikey Carmody and James Quinlan showed well in attack.
Richard Ferncombe, Darren Corcoran and Joey O’Keeffe battled well for Clonoulty/Rossmore in defence with the latter showing his experience. Ger Mockler battled well in midfield while Patrick Kennedy caused problems when running at the Cappawhite defence with Kieran Carroll and Kevin Maher battling hard.
Following the game, West Board Chairman Tommy Hayes presented the Sean Breen Cup to Cappawhite captain Tommy Coughlan with Maria Marron from the sponsors, Palmers Hill Stud.
Referee: Richie O’Connor (Arravale Rovers).
Teams & Scorers:
Cappawhite Neily Clancy, Cormac Heffernan, Michael O’Neill, Noel Ryan, Daire Duggan, Cian O’Carroll, Colm O’Dwyer, Tommy Coughlan, Ciaran Doody, Mikey Carmody, Eoghan Ryan, Finn Brady, Anthony Barry, James Quinlan.
Subs Used: Ciaran Ryan P, Fraser Allen, Sean Cleary.
James Quinlan (2-1), Anthony Barry (1-4, (0-4f)), Ryan Renehan (0-2f), Mikey Carmody (0-2), Fionn Brady (0-1), Colm O’Dwyer (0-1).
Clonoulty/Rossmore: Paddy Ryan, Donnacha Carroll, Dylan Kennedy, Richard Ferncombe, Joey O’Keeffe, Jamie Davern, Darren Corcoran, Ger Mockler, Keelan Ryan, Paddy Kennedy, Kevin Maher, Kieran Carroll, Nickey Mockler, Fintan Kearney, Patrick Hennessy.
Subs Used: Finbarr Ryan, Niall Shanahan, Michael Ryan (C).
Ger Mockler (0-6, (0-5f)), Kevin Maher (0-3), Patrick Hennessy (1-0), Kieran Carroll (0-2), Finbarr Ryan (0-1), Keelan Ryan (0-1).
Click below to hear post match interview:
Tommy Coughlan post match presentation speech with Tommy Hayes.
(Back L-R): Michael (P) Buckley, Fraser Allen, Anthony Barry, Seán Cleary, Cian O’ Carroll, Neil Clancy, Mikey Carmody, Ciarán Ryan (P), Cormac Heffernan, Michael O’ Neill, Ciarán Doody. (Front L-R): Colm O’ Dwyer, Fionn Brady, Eoghan Ryan, James Quinlan, Ryan Renehan, Tommy Coughlan (Captain), Daire Duggan, Noel Ryan.
Tommy Hayes, Tommy Coughlan & Maria Marron of Maria Marron Palmers Hill Stud.
Ger Mockler, Richie O’ Connor & Tommy Coughlan.
Daire Duggan on the move.
