Munchins edge out Mon to claim first U-16½ title

St Munchin's 1-7 Gaelcholáiste Mhuire 0-7

A storming finish, which yielded a goal and a point in the last four minutes, turned the scales decisively in the Limerick school's favour and finally broke the North Mon's brave challenge.

On an exceptionally heavy surface, a ding-dong battle for supremacy ensued with the superior physique of St Munchin's a key factor in the victory.

With centre-back Richie Mullane, centre-forward Joe O'Connor and corner-forwards Oisin Duggan and Killian Conlan putting an impressive stamp on the proceedings, St Munchin's dominated territorially in the first-half.

Lightening fast points from Conlan and O'Connor gave the winners a dream start but North Mon tenaciously hung on and two pointed frees from Eoin Ó Croinín had the sides level after six minutes.

Both teams wasted gilt-edged chances, especially from frees, but finishing the stronger of the two, St Munchin's - with three points in succession from Conlan, who converted two frees - edged three points ahead (0-5 to 0-2) at the break.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire, with Garraí Ó Breacáin hurling well at centre-back and Ó Croinín and Padraig Gul displaying deft touches up front, battled their way back into contention with three points from substitute Wayne Ó Condúin, Gul and Seán Ó Conchúr, which saw the sides on even terms for the second time at the end of the third quarter.

It was all to play for now.

Gul and O'Connor swapped points before Ó Croinín edged the Mon in front for the first time in the 55th minute with a fine point from play.

However, St Munchin's responded in style.

First, the outstanding Mullane equalised, and then three minutes from the end, left half-forward Cathal O'Boyle got the all-important touch, following a goalmouth melee to seal victory for St Munchin's.

Scorers: St Munchin's; C. O'Boyle 1-0, K. Conlan 0-4 (0-2 frees), J. O'Connor 0-2 (0-1 free), R Mullane 0-1. Gaelcholáiste Mhuire; E. Ó Croinín 0-3 (0-2 frees), P. Gul 0-2, S. Ó Conchúr, W. Ó Condúin 0-1 each.

ST MUNCHIN'S: A. Murnane, P. Clancy, D. Prendergast, S. O'Neill, P. Noonan, R. Mullane, W. Cronin, J. O'Neill, M. O'Callaghan, S. Clancy, J. O'Connor, C. O'Boyle, O. Duggan, S. Gallagher, K. Conlan.

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE: G. Ó hEathirn, S. Ó hUiginn, C. Ó Suilleabháin, C. de Bhat, E. Ó Corcrain, G. Ó Breacáin, S. Ó Suilleabháin, S. MacCarthaigh, P. Gul, S. Kent, E. Ó Croinín, I. Skillington, R. McGiollernatt, S. Ó Conchúr, D. Breathnach.

Sub: W. Ó Condúin for Skillington.

Referee: J. Ryan (Cashel).