Tralee CBS make Kerry hurling history with first Harty Cup win

Tralee CBS came from five points down, scoring 2-4 without reply, to beat Cashel Community School in the Harty Cup. It was a first victory in the competition for a Kerry school

The victorious Tralee CBS panel.

Dr Harty Cup: Tralee CBS 2-17 Cashel Community School 1-15 

Tralee CBS, a noted Munster football nursery, produced a sensational final ten minutes to come from five points down to win by five against a startled Cashel Community School side in the Harty Cup. It was the first win in the competition for a Kerry school.

It was Roy of the Rovers stuff as Tralee CBS showed resilience and a never-say-die attitude. They trailed by just a point (0-14 to 0-13) in the 50th minute and a possible upset was on the cards.

But then, Tralee CBS manager Mark Ryall was yellow carded for dissent after his player was not awarded a free and the referee brought the ball forward for a 20m free in front of goal.

Cashel’s best player Denis O’Callaghan took the free short to his centre back Senan Mackey who blasted the ball to the Tralee net in the 52nd minute. When O’Callaghan added a quick point, Tralee CBS were five down and on the canvas.

But Tralee called on their reserves of energy and courage and launched an incredible fightback.

It was started by a Stephen Shanahan point from a free and then in the 56th minute Luke Hanafin launched a high centre in from the sideline and as Shanahan challenged the Cashel keeper, the ball went all the way to the net and suddenly the Green were back in the fight.

Then man of the match Mikey Corridon, in his third year playing senior hurling, collected a loose ball from the puck out. Playing a one two with Barrett, he raced through to rattle the Cashel net and Tralee CBS were on the cusp of history.

Shanahan and Corridon put the cherry on top of the cake with two late points. There were wild scenes of jubilation when referee Kieran Guina sounded the final whistle. One of the first in to congratulate the history makers was John Meyler who trains a few of the Kilmoyley lads on the team. Tralee CBS had completed a massive comeback, scoring 2-4 without reply in those final eight minutes. 

Tralee CBS, in their return to Harty Cup action, more than matched their more vaunted opponents in the opening half. Conditions were windy in Feenagh.

Cashel CS had the better of the second quarter but Tralee CBS stuck to their task manfully with their defence inspired by 16-year-old Stephen Harty from Ballyheigue. Cashel CS were deadly from placed ball, with O’Callaghan firing over four points, Charlie Hall scored twice while Eimhin Ryan fired over a point but could have scored three goals during the hour.

Tralee CBS stuck with Cashel, even against the wind, with Corridon scoring 0-4. Stephen Shanahan added a free and Jason Gaynor was also on the mark, and Tralee CBS were happy retiring 0-11 to 0-8 down at half-time. They would have the wind to their backs after the break. It was nip and tuck until the final ten minutes when Tralee CBS created history.

Scorers for Tralee CBS: M Corridon (1-6, 1f), S Shanahan (0-6, frees), L Hanafin (1-0), M O’Sullivan (0-2, 2fs), J Gaynor (0-2), A Relihan (0-1).

Scorers for Cashel CS: D O’Callaghan (0-6, 4fs), S Mackey (1-0), E Ryan (0-2), C Hall (0-2, 1f), B Fitzgerald, C Fitzgerald, C Fogarty, H Hickey and B McLoughlin (0-1 each).

TRALEE CBS: A Corkery (Crotta O’Neills); S Harty (Ballyheigue), J Donovan (Crotta O’Neills), T Ó Slatara (St Brendan’s); M O’Sullivan (Ballyheigue), T Diggins (Kilmoyley), L Hanafin (Tralee Parnells); B Leen (St Brendan’s), A Beirne (Crotta O’Neills); T Lenihan (St Brendan’s), A Relihan (Crotta O’Neills), J Corridon (Kilmoyley); S Shanahan (Crotta O’Neills), M Corridon (Kilmoyley), J Gaynor (Ballyheigue).

Subs: S Barrett (Ballyheigue) for A Beirne (45), A Costello (Abbeydorney) for A Relihan (45).

CASHEL CS: J O’Sullivan (Cashel KC); J O’Gara (Holycross-Ballycahill), T O’Connor (Cashel KC), K Cully (Cashel KC); J Finn (Golden-Kilfeacle), B McLoughlin (Boherlahan-Dualla), B Fitzgerald (Cashel KC); S Cooney (Clerihan), D O’Callaghan (Cashel KC); U O’Donoghue (Cashel KC), C Fitzgerald (Cashel KC), C Hall (Golden-Kilfeacle); E Ryan (Cashel KC), C Fogarty (Boherlahan-Dualla), H Hickey (Clerihan).

Subs: S Mackey (Knockavilla Kickhams) for U O’Donoghue (47), C Henry (Knockavilla Kickhams) for H Hickey (57), E Ryan (Cashel KC) for B McLoughlin (58).