Early goals do the damage as Cashel cling on

CASHEL Community School bridged a 29 year gap at Clonmel on Saturday when winning the Munster Colleges SBHC title for the first time since 1982.

In a marvellous final they withstood a tremendous fightback by Dungarvan who won the title last year for the first time, and on the evidence of this performance, will make a strong bid for All-Ireland honours in the coming weeks.

The winners had wind advantage in the first half and wasted little time in stamping their authority on the tie.

With Pa Ryan unstoppable at full-forward, the Tipperary school raced into a 2-1 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes — Ryan and Kieran Carroll the goalscorers.

Ryan’s strike was a superb effort. He showed super skill collecting Dylan Fitzell’s marvellous line ball, before giving the Dungarvan goalkeeper no chance from close range. The Cashel full-forward also provided the pass which set up Carroll’s effort minutes later.

Only some excellent defending by centre-back Kieran Power kept the Waterford school in the hunt, but the pressure on their defence was incessant and a litany of points had Cashel 2-7 to 0-4 ahead at the break.

Cathal Curran led the Dungarvan recovery with a goal in the 35th minute and inspired by the brilliance of Power, Dungarvan laid siege to the Cashel goal. Great defending by Simon Delaney and Kevin Maloney ensured Cashel kept their noses in front but at the three quarter stage the deficit was down to a goal (2-7 to 1-7).

Indeed John Grogan’s point in the 55th minute was their only score of the second half and though Dungarvan continued to pound their opponent’s defence searching for the equalising goal, Cashel’s defence held firm to secure the honours.

Scorers for Cashel: P. Ryan, K. Carroll 1-1 each; C. Morrissey, K. O’Donnell 0-2 each; J. Keane, J. Grogan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dungarvan: C. Curran 1-4 (0-3 frees); J. Morrissey 0-2; K. Power (free), D. Breathnach 0-1 each.

CASHEL CS: D. Hayes; J. Ryan, K. Maloney, A. O’Connell; S. Delaney, C. Quigley, M. Fox; D. Fitzell, K. O’Donnell; J. Grogan, C. Morrissey, J. Keane; K. Carroll, P. Ryan, D. Thompson.

DUNGARVAN CBS: E. Kerins; T. Tobin, C. Walsh, K. Sheehan; C. O’Shea, K. Power, K. Healy; C. Dunford, C. Sheridan; J. Morrissey, M. Harney; M. Kiely, D. Breathnach, C. Curran.

Subs: P. Curran for Dunford (half time); R. Donnelly for Kiely (55).

Referee: G. Hoey (Clare).