St Patrick’s NS Mallow……………………………………….2 -7
Charleville CBS……………………………………………….1-3
St Patrick’s boys school played Charleville CBS in the A1 Sciath Na Scol Chorcai Football Final in Carrigoon on Wednesday last. The players put a huge effort into this competition since their return to school after the summer holidays with weekly training sessions after class under the watchful eyes of Seami Murphy, Tom Foy and Sean Dillon and they also played a challenge game against local rivals Scoil Ghobnatan. On the road to the final the boys had great victories over Mitchelstown CBS and Bishop Murphy School Fermoy and this was a big day for the Mallow boys, having been beaten in last year’s final and it was 2003 since they had last won it. The match started at good pace but it was very tense with both teams having wides. The Mallow lads got the first score with Darragh O’Keeffe scoring from a free followed by a second point from another free. Charleville began to press Mallow hard with but the defence worked hard to keep them at bay. They got a point but good goalkeeping from Aaron O’Connor kept out what looked like a certain goal. Mallow started to fight back with Cian O’Driscoll getting the opening goal. Mallow began to settle into a good rhythm and played good football, and just before half time Jack Dillon slotted over another point from distance out on the wing. Mallow went in at half time 1-3 to 0-1 ahead. The second half began with Charleville getting a point and having a lot of ball but failing to score. The defence led by captain Eoghan Kenny put in great work to keep them out. Mallow nerves were settled with a point from Cian O’Driscoll and a cracking goal from Jack Dillon. They were now in control of the game with some lovely play. Next to score a point was Micheal O’Malley. Charleville got another point but Mallow were too strong in defence and this led to them getting two more points which came from the boot of Sean McDonald. The Mallow lads’ work rate through the game was a credit to them. Each player on the panel got to play a part in the team’s victory. When the final whistle went there were great celebrations among the team, teachers and great turnout of parents.
Team Aaron O’Connor, Sean Kelly, Josh Murphy, Stephen O’Flynn, Jack Hadden, Eoghan Kenny, Ethan Crone, Darragh O’Keeffe, Enoch Khanyile, Jack Dillon, Kevin O’Mahony, Cian O’Driscoll, Sean McDonald, Micheal O’Malley, Charlie Carroll, Sean O’Sullivan, Som Ndu, Conor Walsh, Jonah Delaney, Stephen O’Rourke, Tommy Woulfe and Patrick Osinski.