Battling Scoil Eoin retain title in fine style

GOOD hurling town Youghal, and their representative from Scoil Eoin did them proud at Mitchelstown yesterday by retaining their Munster Vocational Schools Senior B championship title in fine style, beating a Nenagh Vocational Schools side that just did not have enough firepower.

Scoil Eoin, Youghal 1-9 Nenagh Vocational School 1-3

And it was a title to savour for Scoil Eoin coach Liam Ó Laochdha. Having seen his son, centre-back Cathal sent off after just 13 minutes, he must have feared the worst, especially with Tipp minor Joe McLoughney, who scored all his side’s total, and Kevin Quinlan buzzing.

But there was no need to fret.

With Jason Seward slotting magnificently into the pivotal role and the excellent Declan Allen, who scored four fine points, moving successfully from corner-forward to midfield, Scoil Eoin more than held their own.

And with a super all Clashmore full-back line of Andrew Mulready, Ciaran Connery and Declan Coughlan in a mean mood, Nenagh struggled for scores.

The Tipp boys had their chances. But once Vincent Daly goaled in the 46th minute Scoil Eoin were on their way to an All-Ireland final contest against New Inn, Galway, who would have a fair sprinkle of players from the Sarsfields club.

Good open hurling in the first-half - a typical Cork-Tipp clash - with Sean de Róiste getting Scoil Eoin off to a flying start with a pointed free. But Nenagh were full of hurling and with McLoughlin commanding at wing back and Quinlan doing fine work around midfield, they came at Scoil Eoin strongly.

But when it came to putting the ball over the bar they failed miserably, McLoughlin and Brian Tucker being the chief culprits.

And Allen made them pay dearly with two super points as Scoil Eoin began to show a little steel and, moving the ball swiftly, began to trouble the Nenagh rearguard.

James O’Brien shot just inches wide but then disaster struck when Ó Laochdha was sent off for a second yellow and it was now advantage Nenagh with Scoil Eoin leading 0-3 to 0-0 after the opening quarter.

But, showing great resilience and making those astute moves, a point from Steve Kennefick and a couple of frees from de Róiste powered Scoil Eoin into a 0-6 to 0-0 half-time lead, with Nenagh guilty of missing a plethora of chances.

Nenagh charged into the contest in the second-half, with McLoughlin, who moved to midfield in the second quarter, finally opening their account in the 32nd minute.

But they were lucky just a minute later when, after a fine move involving Steve O’Connell and Allen, de Róiste’s shot was saved by Nenagh keeper Keith Fahy.

Then Nenagh were reduced to 14 when Tucker was sent off for a second booking as Scoil Eoin led 0-6 to 0-2 after the third quarter.

And then the goal that clinched the title for Scoil Eoin, Kennefick’s initial effort being saved by Fahy but Daly making no mistake with the rebound.

In fairness to Nenagh they never wilted. McLoughlin scored a cracking goal in the 57th minute and Damien Boland should have had another earlier on.

But there was no denying Scoil Eoin and the O’Dwyer Cup was safely on its way back to Youghal.

Scorers: Scoil Eoin: D. Allen 0-4, V. Daly 1-0, S. de Róiste 0-3 (frees), S. Kennefick, J. Landers 0-1 each. Nenagh VS: J. McLoughney 1-3 (0-1 free).

SCOIL EOIN: R. Ó Cuinneagáin; A. Mulready, C. Connery, D. Coughlan; B. Keniry, C. Ó Laochdha, D. Tynan; D. Kelleher, J. Seward; S. O’Connell, J. O’Brien, S. Kennefick; D. Allen, V. Daly, S. de Róiste. Subs: J. Landers for O’Brien, K. Lane for O’Connell.

NENAGH VS: K. Fahy; D. Carr, J. Quigley, S. Kelly; J. McLoughney, O. Quirke, S. Forde; C. Morris, K. Quinlan; D. Boland, B. Tucker, E. Ryan; B. McNulty, M. Hogan, P. Egan. Subs: S. O’Meara for Ryan, M. Heffernan for O’Meara, O’Meara for McNulty.

Referee: M. Meade (Ballylanders).