CBS Triumph in U16.5 Munster Football Championship
By Cathal Walsh (Transition Year)
The CBS Secondary Mitchelstown 16.5 footballers overcame the stern challenges of Rice College Ennis and later Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai to claim the Corn Ni Mhuiri ‘C’ Munster Football Championship. On the 6th of May, Mallow GAA complex played host to both semi-finals and the final of the compacted schools football championship, in which teams were tasked with playing two games on the one day.
Following an impressive run through the early rounds, bypassing Thurles and Cashel, CBS found themselves facing a physically imposing Rice College Ennis in their semi-final bout. The game burst into life via a well worked move finished into the back of the net by centre forward Diarmuid O’ Brien. CBS’ direct style of play saw further scores from forwards Ben Carey and Kevin Cotter. However, the arduous wet weather conditions began to make play much more difficult, allowing the Clare Men to claw back level at halftime on a score line of 1.3 apiece. CBS began the second half in similar fashion to the first, reasserting their dominance on both their own and their opponents kickouts. A barrage of scores followed, with CBS progressing to the Munster Final on a comfortable eight-point margin.
The other side of the draw saw Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai emerge from an extremely physically taxing battle with Pobailscoil Inbhear Sceine, Kenmare setting up a final with Mitchelstown set to be played with an hour between the games. Again, Mitchelstown exploded out of the blocks to an early 2.4 to no score lead. However, just as the game seemed to be slipping out of Bantry’s grasp, their full forward was fouled going through and diligently converted his penalty into the bottom corner. Bantry’s momentum saw them tag on a series of simple frees over the bar. CBS answered through points from captain Charlie English and corner forward Conor Walsh, to see the Mitchelstown boys ahead by seven at the break. As the second half went on, bodies began to tire on both sides, nevertheless the Bantry pressure continued to mount. Feeling the full effects of this pressure CBS saw their lead shrink to as little as three. With the game hanging in the balance, Trojan displays of resilience and determination from Eoin Brenock, Luke Keane, and Cian Coughlan in the fullback line, continued to keep the opponents at bay. The final whistle couldn’t have come sooner much to the delight of CBS players and management, with CBS hanging on to win 2.14 to 3.8.
What made the victory even more significant was the fact that many of the same players had lost the Munster Hurling decider earlier in the year. While captain Charlie English was presented with the cup, several players reminisced of how they had been on the other side of the result that day in November. The drive and never say die attitude required to bounce back from such a heart-breaking defeat is indicative of the character and attitude promoted and developed in CBS Mitchelstown. Once again huge congratulations to all players and management. CBS Abú!!
Picture One: The U16.5 Munster Champions
Picture Two: Mr O’Leary and Mr Duggan, the trainers of the U16.5 footballers
Picture Three: Congratulations to the CBS U14 hurlers who are through to the next round of the championship following their great comeback in the second half of their match last week, to beat Patrician Academy , Mallow 2-13 to 4-5
Picture Four: Congratulations to the CBS senior soccer players on their 2-1 win over Ballincollig C.S