Tralee CBS beaten but unbowed after commendable Harty Cup ...
The Green were just four points adrift of their illustrious Tipperary opponents at half time of what was a history-making day for the Tralee school
Tralee CBS 2-12
Thurles CBS 2-25
The fairy-tale victory was probably never a realistic possibility, but Tralee CBS performed with commendable distinction against a hugely talented Thurles CBS in a more than encouraging introduction to Munster Colleges senior ‘A’ hurling at the Bog Garden in Rathkeale.
This under-19 Harty Cup Group 6 contest saw Kerry represented in the prestigious competition for the first time in 12 years, and Mark Ryall’s charges matched their illustrious opponents for long periods, especially in a very tightly-contested opening half.
Indeed, The Green were slightly unfortunate to be trailing by four points, 0-11 to 1-4, at half-time, having seen their grit and determination rewarded by a magnificent individual goal from full-forward, and top scorer, Liam Óg O’Connor, in the 14th minute.
Raising a green flag for their debut score at this exalted level was greeted with exultation from the vociferous Tralee CBS supporters. It helped to settle the understandable nerves on such an historic occasion, and it gave the Kingdom side a substantial boost to their collective self-belief.
Thurles CBS, coming off an entertaining draw against St Flannan’s in the first round, certainly weren’t allowed to perform to their full potential in the opening 30 minutes. The protagonists were actually level in the 25th minute, 0-7 to 1-4, with the favourites a tad over-reliant on their very solid free-taker Cormac Fitzpatrick.
The Green’s goalkeeper Cian Harris made a magnificent save to deny Cillian Minogue before the interval, and with Thurles CBS finishing the half strongly with four unanswered points, there were signs of the Premier county outfit, finally, gaining some semblance of control.
The towering figure of O’Connor was responsible for all of Tralee CBS’s first half tally, and a lack of consistent solid support up front for the number 14 would, ultimately, be a blot in the losers’ copybook, even though Luke Rochford and substitute Mikey Corridon had their moments.
Upping the tempo on the resumption, with the talismanic presence of centre-back Euan Murray moving further forward to significant effect, Thurles CBS had an early Minogue point, cancelled out immediately by a thrilling run and finish (kicked over the bar) by the excellent Andrew Kerins.
The Tralee Parnells midfielder’s touch and darting runs were a key weapon in the Tralee CBS armoury, with the work-rate and physicality of Eoin O’Flaherty complementing him well around the middle. Further back, full-back Dara Nolan, sweeper Hugh Lenihan and Darragh Corridon stood out.
Tralee CBS captains Hugh Lenihan, right, with his Thurles CBS counterpart Robbie Ryan and match referee John Bugler, from Clare, before Tralee's historic Harty Cup debut in Rathkeale, Co Limerick on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
In saying all that, the pendulum was now swinging in Thurles CBS’ direction, with five points on the trot catapulting them into a comfortable lead, 0-17 to 1-5, with braces from the outstanding Murray and the electric Hayes, added to a fine effort from centre-forward David Costigan.
Tralee CBS were now struggling for oxygen as the high altitude of the step-up in company intensified, but they got a second wind in the 40th minute when a Rochford delivery enabled lively replacement Corridon to set up O’Connor for a second clinical strike to Harry Loughnane’s net.
With their advantage momentarily reduced to six points, and knowing that scoring difference may play a key part in how this group unfolds, Thurles CBS took that body-blow in their stride, and rebounded successfully, with a goal of their own, created by captain Robbie Ryan, and dispatched by Minogue.
Points from Corridon and an O’Connor free settled The Green once more at the conclusion of the third quarter, 1-17 to 2-7, but there was a sense of tiring legs and a certain running out of steam as they strove, manfully, to keep going toe-to-toe with their rivals.
Once more, however, Thurles CBS launched over another blitzkrieg of points to move twelve to the good, 1-22 to 2-7, with Rochford and another O’Connor placed ball replying for the ‘Green, before corner-forward Minogue rattled home a second green flag for the winners in the 56th minute.
The famed Tipperary school were home and dry at this juncture, but it is testament to the resilience of the Tralee outfit that they registered three of the last five points. Defeat was their lot, but they can be proud of their heart-warming debut.
Such a learning experience will be invaluable, with St Flannan’s looming on the horizon in a fortnight.
TRALEE CBS: Cian Harris (Tralee Parnells); Brody Leen (St Brendan’s), Dara Nolan (Crotta O’Neills), Donnacha Horgan (Ballyheigue); Ryan Hurley (Crotta O’Neills), Hugh Lenihan (St Brendan’s), Darragh Corridon (Kilmoyley); Andrew Kerins (Tralee Parnells) 0-1, Eoin O’Flaherty (St Brendan’s); Rory O’Halloran (Ballyheigue), Alex Relihan (Crotta O’Neills), Jake Rochford (Ballyduff); Luke Rochford (Ballyduff) 0-1, Liam Óg O’Connor (St Brendan’s) 2-9 (0-6f, 0-2 ‘65’), Keelan Best (St Brendan’s). Subs: Mikey Corridon (Kilmoyley) 0-1 for Best (37), Will Somers (Tralee Parnells) for O’Halloran (42), Eoghan Costello (Tralee Parnells) for J Rochford (44), Matthew O’Sullivan (Ballyheigue) for Relihan (53), Tadhg O Slatara (St Brendan’s) for Horgan (59).
THURLES CBS: Harry Loughnane; Toby Corbett, Evan Morris, Jack Lahart; Killian Cantwell, Euan Murray 0-4, Keith Loughnane; Ryne Bargary, Kieran Rossiter; James Butler, David Costigan 0-1, Cormac Fitzpatrick 0-10 (1 ‘65’, 0-6f); Jack Hayes 0-5, Robbie Ryan 0-2, Cillian Minogue 2-2. Subs: Tiernan Ryan 0-1 for Rossiter (45), Jack Cahill for Butler (47), Dan McCahey for Corbett (52), Tristan Kelly for Hayes (59), Leelan Donoghue for Minogue (59).
REFEREE: John Bugler (Clare)
