With many of last years panel still underage for the competition this year there were high hopes that this team could at least emulate the achievement of 2 years ago when the school reached the final for the first time, if not go one better and with an exclusive first Munster “A” Hurling Title.
Ardscoil faced the toughest of tests in their quarter final where they met St. Flannans College Ennis, the aristocrats of underage Munster Hurling. Having never beaten St. Flannans in a competitive game it was always going to take a huge effort to progress. Preparations went well with victories over Middleton CBS (8points) and Rice College Ennis (29 points) in challenge games and Ardscoil entered the game with confidence.
Their efforts was rewarded in front of a large vocal support when hitting 3 goals inside the first 8 minutes Ardscoil were on the road to a convincing win. Na Piarsaigh player Kevin Downes was the hero of the hour scoring 4-2 in total a hat trick of goals from Kevin and 2 more from Shane Maloney and Adam Sherlock saw Ardscoil take a convincing 5-2 to 2 points lead at half time.
St Flannans never say die attitude saw them put a serious challenge for long parts of the second half but the Ardscoil defence stood firm and the school averaged their Dean Ryan final defeat of 2005 to the same opponents on a scoreline 6-6:1-10. In a fantastic all round team display it was a day when everything went right and the hurling was crisp and honest. Niall Buckley , Captain Cathal McInerney, Declan Hannon and Kevin Downes were all outstanding. Middleton CBS were the opponents in the semi final played in windy conditions in Dromcollogher. Ardscoil were unlucky not to open in a similar fashion to the Flannans game when Niall Kennedy found his goal attempt brilliantly saved by the Middleton keeper. Middleton settled better and thanks very much to the free taker they took control of the first half. Ardscoil were unlucky to concede a goal just before half time which left them trailing by 8 points at half time. With their backs to the wall many teams would have thrown in the towel but to their credit the team never gave up and played their best hurling in the second half. They reduced the deficit to 2 points on 2 occasions but ultimately couldn't get the all important second goal that would have put them in the lead. In contrast to the Flannans game Ardscoil struggled to settle into the game and hit a large number of wides which they would ultimately rue. In the end they lost on a scoreline of 1-10 – 1-7 and the dream of a Dean Ryan title was lost. |
