Limerick's Scoil Pól Kilfinane celebrates All-Ireland post-primary schools hurling final glory

LIMERICK'S Scoil Pól, Kilfinane are celebrating All-Ireland hurling final success after they deservedly claimed the Michael Cusack Cup, the All Ireland Colleges ‘C’ hurling title at Tulla, Co Clare, on Friday afternoon.

After a great team display for the south Limerick school, they saw off a mini-fightback from Coláiste Mhuire Ballygar, who hail from Galway, on the Roscommon border on a 0-16 to 1-8 scoreline.

This was truly a combined effort for Kilfinane, who had a tremendous spread of clubs, including nine Limerick clubs in the starting XV. The side were joint-captained by Shane Fitzgibbon, of Dromin Athlacca, and Charleville’s Kristian O’Gorman, whose points scoring was key to this win.

Backed by virtually all of the schools students, the youngsters were composed and calculated throughout,

A lightning start from the Galway side saw them score the opening 1-1 of the game. However, they would score just once more for the remainder of the half. That third minute major, from Harry O’Sullivan, added to the earlier point from Cathal Maloney.

In reply, the next five points went to Scoil Pól, to level. Fitzgibbon (free), O’Gorman, and the impressive Darren Frewen led the charge.

Frewen closed the half with a superbly pointed sideline cut, which opened a 0-8 to 1-2 interval lead. The Glenroe man would be awarded Man-of-the-Match for his efforts

Having played with the wind, there was certainty if they could withstand a Galway fightback. That said, in many quarters, the winners were well on top. John O’Connell and James O’Sullivan grew into this contest.

Scoring three of the first four points of the half, Scoil Pól moved into a very strong position. However, Cathal Moloney continued to carry the fight for Ballygar and he, alond with Joey Wallace, cut the gap by three entering the final 10 minutes.

However, there was one last kick in Kilfinane. Points from Fitzgibbon and Frewen sandwiched the score of the day from Darragh Cronin, who burst his away through the Galway midfield and fired over from long-range.

There was to be no stopping Scoil Pól, who were coached by Ed Kiely, Doon, and Anthony Punch and Peadar McCarthy, both of Camogue Rovers.

SCORERS: Scoil Pól Kilfinane: Kristian O’Gorman 0-6 (0-5 frees); Darren Frewen 0-4 (0-1 s/l); Shane Fitzgibbon 0-2 (both frees); Colin Bresnihan, James O’Sullivan, Darragh Cronin, Adam Frewen 0-1 each. Coláiste Mhuire Ballygar: Joey Wallace (0-3 frees) Cathal Maloney (0-2 frees) 0-4 each; Harry O’Sullivan 1-0.

Scoil Pól Kilfinane:Cathal Dennehy (Glenroe); Darragh Cronin (Kilmallock) James Philpot (Blackrock), Oran Crowley (Staker Wallace); John O’Connell (Bruree), Shane Fitzgibbon (Dromin/Athlacca) (J/Capt), Kevin Hayden (Bruree); Cillian O’Riordan (Effin), Colin Bresnihan (Castletown/Ballyagran); Owen Barrington (Bruree), James O’Sullivan (Garryspillane), Kristian O’Gorman (Charleville), Daithí Dennehy (Glenroe). Subs: Michael Barry (Staker Wallace) for Lonergan (half-time); Adam Frewen (Glenroe) for Dennehy (44 mins); Michael Quaid (Dromin/Athlacca) for Barrington (57 mins);

Coláiste Mhuire Ballygar: Michael Naughton (Ballygar); Adam Kenny (Four Roads), Ethan Kelly (Four Roads) Luke Finnerty (Ballygar); Rory Coyle (Four Roads), Conor Kelly (Capt) (Four Roads), Gerard Healy (Ballygar); Eoghan Naughton (Ballgar), Cathal Moloney (Ballygar); Jamie Kelly (Four Roads), Gavin Meares (Four Roads), Cian Downey (Ballygar); Harry O’Sullivan, Joey Wallace (Ballygar), Harry Holmes (Ballygar). Sub: Oisin Finneran (Four Roads) for Finnerty (60 mins), Alan Kilcommins (Ballygar) for Downey (61).

Referee: John Bugler (Clare).