2019 / 2020 Munster Post Primary Schools Under 19 E Hurling Final – Tralee CBS 3-16 Mercy Mounthawk 1-19

Tralee CBS defeated Mercy Mounthawk by 3-16 to 1-19 in the Munster Post Primary Schools Under 19 E Hurling Final on December 19th at Austin Stack Park Tralee.

Report by Ryan Guerin (TY CBS “The Green”)

Photo Credit: Kerry Sports Hub

First Half

It was “The Green” who were edging affairs at the beginning of the game on a cold but dry day that was ideal for a game of hurling.

“The Green” were unlucky not to be ahead by more in the first 20 minutes. However, as the first period progressed Mounthawk began to drag themselves back into the contest with impressive scores from Sean Brosnan and sublime fielding from Padraig O’Sullivan spurring them on.

Both sides will be disappointed when reflecting on their shooting in the first half with many attempts from both teams dropping short or curling wide. One player who can be pleased with his shooting was CBS goalkeeper Devon Burns who scored a mammoth free from midway in his own half.

A level score at the interval was a fair reflection of events in the first half as a whole, which contained a truly gruelling midfield battle.

Halftime score – Tralee CBS 0-8 Mercy Mounthawk 0-8

Second Half

A quick-fire goal from Crotta man Denis Nolan after a rebounded shot had “The Green” on the front foot at the beginning of the second half.

Another goal shortly after from fellow Crotta hurler Declan O’Donoghue who rifled the ball into the top corner of the net added to CBS’ lead. Credit again to Denis Nolan who went on a mazy run before laying the ball off to the goalscorer.

Daragh Reen who scored 4 points in the first half picked up from where he left off and terrorised the Mounthawk backline with surging runs and skilful passing.

If it wasn’t for the free taking of Sean Brosnan, Mounthawk could have been out of the game after this flurry of CBS goals.

Tackle of the game had to go to Ruari O’Sullivan of “The Green” who employed the unusual tactic of shouldering the oncoming attacker in the legs in order to stop him in his tracks.

It was a spirited fightback from Mounthawk who despite conceding another goal to CBS full forward Aodhan Mckenna had chances to bring the game to extra time late on.

In the end the overall quality and work rate of the entire CBS squad shone through and they emerged from the contest with a deserved victory to make it two Munster titles for the Tralee school in as many years.

Mounthawk can be proud of their performance, but it will be a tough one to take falling at the final hurdle to their fiercest rivals for a second year in a row.

Correction to full time score. 3-16 to 1-19 final score pic.twitter.com/OVr1T0QxxA

— CBS The Green – An Edmund Rice School (@thegreencbs) December 19, 2019