Tipperary school regain Munster football title that they last held 55 years ago

Clonmel High School 4-7 Midleton CBS 1-7 

Clonmel High School bridged a 55-year gap to reclaim the Under 17 Munster Schools B Football Championship at Fethard Town Park, as they overcame Midleton CBS in the final.

The Clonmel school surged to the finish line by delivering a strong last 10 minutes to overcome their Cork opponents, who were hoping to achieve the double, having won the Dean Ryan Cup in hurling three weeks previously.

The captain of the 1969 team, the only other High School team to win this title, Jimmy Harney, was present in what was a well-attended tie at the 4G venue at Fethard Town Park, with the High School bringing a large vocal support including current and former students, parents and members of the local clubs.

All in attendance were treated to a fast, physically intense battle that was in the melting pot until those last 10 minutes when the Clonmel School produced their best football.

In a cagey opening, the majority of the exchanges were played in the middle third with some ferocious, fair tackles and hits, as both defences seemed to have the upper hand on their markers, with Clonmel Óg’s Oisín O’Reilly producing a full- length block to deny Cormac Deane the opening score.

It took until the ninth minute for a flag to be raised and it was just the tonic for the Tipperary school, who were playing into a stiffish breeze, as Killian Smith beat his man before placing Kilsheelan’s Conor Freaney, who expertly finished to the side stanchion of the net to give the Midleton netminder Conor Williams no chance.

They followed this up with a free from Conal Morrisson before Midleton had their purple patch, as first Darragh Heavin pointed before, just a minute later, wing forward Jarlath Cullimore broke onto a loose ball and finished to the High School net, side footing it home with his left boot.

The turnaround was complete by the 24th minute when the Cork side took the lead, with captain Cillian Scanlon scoring a point from play, followed by another from midfielder Tom C Walsh to leave the scoreboard reading 1-3 to 1-1.

Midleton were beginning to dominate around the middle third, winning the majority of kickouts, while upfront the High School were wasteful in possession and had two efforts wide. But they redeemed themselves in the 28th minute as Harry Lawlor, who had come on for the injured David Ryan, broke through the heart of the Cork defence before passing to Dylan McCormack, who finished well to put the High School back in the lead.

However, a Cillian Scanlon free right on half-time levelled matters at the short whistle, 2-1 to 1-4.
Having played against the breeze, the High School would have been the slightly happier side, having negated the influence of some of the Midleton key men but they had missed some chances they would have expected to have taken.

In a much more open start to the second half, it was Midleton who struck first, with Cian Moore firing over in an attack that could have led to a goal.

Killian Smith opened his account at the other end, swinging over a well-taken point.

The High School missed two further chances but when Conor Freaney got possession 30 yards out he showed superb vision, playing a beautiful foot pass to the unmarked Enda Condon, who rounded the ‘keeper to finish to the net to the delight of the High School crowd and open up a three-point gap.

To their credit, Midleton responded well, as Scanlon pointed again before Moyle Rovers’ James O’Brien made an important save in the Clonmel goal, deflecting a close range goalbound effort out for a 45, which Tom C Walsh converted to leave the minimum between the sides with 12 minutes to play.

However, from this point forward, it was the Tipperary school who began to dominate the exchanges, with Aaron McAndrew claiming kickouts, Andrew Ryan and Rian Galko producing turnover after turnover in defence and Fergal Bradshaw and Ben Roche’s athleticism beginning to shine at midfield.

Killian Smith, who had moved to centre forward, picked off a lovely point before Ben Roche marauded forward from midfield to kick a cracker from the right wing, as the High School exerted their dominance and finally started to convert their chances, as Aaron McAndrew landed a long distance score off his left boot.

After yet another turnover deep in their own half, the Clonmel school broke at pace and after Dylan McCormack collected a pass, he beat his man before selling an exquisite dummy and finishing low to the bottom corner with his left foot with just three minutes remaining to settle this tie as a contest.

Midleton continued to attack, and with extra bodies, but time after time they met aggressive and stern High School tackling in what was a highlight of the game throughout.

However, this ultimately played into the Clonmel school’s hands as Harry Lawlor broke from defence to add his name to the scoreboard, while Dara Beckett had a goal chance saved by the Midleton goalkeeper.

Killian Smith, who had been excellent throughout, helped himself to his third point from play in what proved the final score of the day in stoppage time to leave the final score at 4-7 to 1-7 when Limerick referee Seán Carey sounded the final whistle to delirious scenes, as High School supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate.

The High School, who had a Titanic battle with Cashel Community School in their opening tie before defeating Our Lady’s Templemore and Presentation Miltown to get to the final, proved to be a very balanced side, with James O’Brien solid throughout in goal.

He was ably protected by Oisín O’Reilly, the tigerish Rian Galko and Moyle Rovers’ Aidan White throughout.

Captain Andrew Ryan at centre back was arguably the man of the match, as he held Midleton dangerman Tom A Walsh scoreless from play.

David Ryan, before his unfortunate injury, and Rory O’Reilly drove forward while never shirking their defensive responsibilities.

At midfield, Ben Roche and Fergal Bradshaw may have faced a height disadvantage but this did not deter their influence, as they covered every blade of the synthetic grass.

In a match in which all starting forwards scored, Aaron McAndrew was a great kick out option and contributed a great point, while Enda Condon of Clonmel Commercials linked defence and attack and finished his goal chance with aplomb.

Conall Morrisson was key at number 11 for the Clonmel side, delivering quality ball inside to the lethal inside trio of Conor Freaney, Dylan McCormack and Killian Smith. Between them, they contributed 3-3 but they were the major beneficiaries of the early ball kicked in by their teammates, as has been the case all year, as this High School side favoured the direct, early ball into their full-forward line.

The strength in depth of the High School was also on show, as they used five substitutes who all contributed well, with Harry Lawlor pointing and on another day, Dara Beckett could have finished with 1-1 to his name.

The High School, managed by Dave Nugent (The Nire) and Stephen Ryan (Golden/Kilfeacle) had 51 players named on their programme, with all having played games throughout the year, showing the hugely progressive work being done to promote football in the school, and they got their just reward in this Munster title.

The school now looks forward to a senior Munster football semi-final against Coláiste na Sceilge, Caherciveen and a senior Munster hurling quarter-final against Coláiste Mhúire of Thurles, along with under 15 championships, in the New Year as they hope to add more silverware to the cabinet.

Panel: James O’Brien (Moyle Rovers) Oisín O’Reilly (Clonmel Óg) Rian Galko (Clonmel Óg) Aidan White (Moyle Rovers) Rory O’Reilly (Clonmel Óg) Andrew Ryan (The Nire) David Ryan (The Nire) Ben Roche (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) 0-1 Fergal Bradshaw (Moyle Rovers) Enda Condon (Clonmel Commercials) 1-0 Conall Morrisson (Moyle Rovers) 0-1F Aaron McAndrew (Moyle Rovers) 0-1 Conor Freaney (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) 1-0 Dylan McCormack (Clonmel Óg) 2-0 Killian Smith (Clonmel Commercials) 0-3.

Subs: Harry Lawlor (Clonmel Commercials) 0-1 Dara Beckett (Clonmel Commercials) Aidan McMaugh (The Nire) Dylan Condon (Clonmel Commercials) Colin Roche (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) Natan Gucwa (Clonmel Commercials), Ben Fuller (Clonmel Commercials) Charlie Byrne (Clonmel Óg) Conor Walsh (The Nire) Conor Williams (Moyle Rovers) Dónal O’Callaghan (Clonmel Commercials) Enda Nolan (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) Hugh Carolan (Moyle Rovers) Kayden Cloona (Clonmel Commercials) Kyle Power (Clonmel Óg) Paddy Power (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) Adam Blanchfield (Kilsheelan/Kilcash).

Ben Tierney (Clonmel Commercials) Billy Cooney (Clonmel Commercials) Callum Condon (Clerihan) Cyril Robinson (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) Eoin O’Gorman (Clonmel Commercials) Gavin Mahony (Clonmel Óg) Jack Duggan (Moyle Rovers) Michael Dempsey (Clerihan) Michael Maher (Moyle Rovers) Nathan Sukasuka (Clonmel Óg) Nathan Wynne (Clonmel Commercials) Olan Doocey (The Nire) Patrick Lyons (Grangemockler/Ballyneale) Seán McMenamin (Clonmel Óg) Seán Woods (Moyle Rovers) Seán Tom Nugent (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) Shane Madigan (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) Shay Scully (Clonmel Commercials) Tristan O’Connor (Kilsheelan/Kilcash).

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