2024/2025 TUS Corn Liam Uí Uigínn (Munster Under 17 B Football) Final – High School Clonmel 4-7 CBS Midleton 1-7

The High School Clonmel bridged a 55 year gap to reclaim the TUS Corn Liam Uí Uigínn (Munster Under 17 B Football) championship at Fethard Town Park on Monday December 16th as they overcame Midleton CBS by 9 points.

2024/2025 TUS Corn Liam Uí Uigínn (Munster Under 17 B Football) Final

High School Clonmel 4-7 CBS Midleton 1-7

The High School surged to the finish line by delivering a strong last 10 minutes to overcome their Cork opponents, who were hoping to achieve the double having won the Dean Ryan in hurling 3 weeks previous.

The captain of the 1969 team, the only previous High School team to win this title, Jimmy Harney, was present in what was a well-attended tie at the 4G surfaced venue with the High School bringing a large vocal support including current & former students, parents & members of the local clubs. All in attendance were treated to a fast, physically intense battle that was in the melting pot until those last 10 minutes when the Clonmel School produced their best football.

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Left to Right: High School Clonmel Captain Andrew Ryan, Referee Sean Carey and CBS Midleton Captain Cillian Scanlon

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In a cagey opening, both sides felt each other out early on with the majority of the exchanges played in the middle third with some ferocious, fair tackles & hits. Both defenses seemed to have the upper hand on their markers, with Clonmel Óg’s Oisín O’Reilly producing a full length block to deny Cormac Deane the opening score.

It took until the 9th minute for a flag to be raised & it was just the tonic for the Tipperary school who were playing into a stiffish breeze as Killian Smith beat his man before placing Kilsheelan’s Conor Freaney who expertly finished to the side stanchion of the net to give the Midleton netminder Conor Williams no chance.

They followed this up with a free from Conal Morrisson before Midleton had their purple patch, as first Darragh Heavin pointed before just a minute later, wing forward Jarlath Cullimore broke on to a loose ball and finished to the High School net, side footing it home with his left boot.

The turnaround was complete by the 24th minute as the Cork side took the lead with captain Cillian Scanlon scored a point from play, followed by another from midfielder Tom C Walsh to leave the scoreboard reading 1-3 to 1-1. Midleton were beginning to dominate around the middle third, winning the majority of kickouts, while upfront the High School were wasteful in possession & had two efforts wide. They would redeem themselves in the 28th minute as Harry Lawlor, who had come on for the injured David Ryan, broke through the heart of the Cork defense before passing to Dylan McCormack who finished well to put the High School back in the lead. A Cillian Scanlon free right on half-time levelled matters at the short whistle, 2-1 to 1-4. Having played against the breeze, the High School would have been the slightly happier side, having negated the influence of some of the Midleton key men but had missed some chances they would have expected to have taken.

In a much more open start to the second half, it was Midleton who struck first with Cian Moore firing over in what could have been a goal but Killian Smith opened his account at the other end swinging over a well-taken point. The High School missed two further chances but when Conor Freaney got possession 30 yards out, he showed superb vision, playing a beautiful foot pass to the unmarked Enda Condon who rounded the keeper to finish to the net to the delight of the High School crowd & open a three point gap.

To their credit, Midleton responded well as Scanlon pointed again before Moyle Rovers James O’Brien made a key save in the Clonmel goal deflecting a close range goal bound effort out for a 45 which Tom C Walsh converted to leave the minimum between the sides with 12 minutes to play.

However, from this point forward, it was the Tipperary school who began to dominate exchanges with Aaron McAndrew claiming kickouts, Andrew Ryan & Rian Galko producing turnover after turnover in defense & Fergal Bradshaw & Ben Roche’s athleticism beginning to shine at midfield.

Killian Smith, who had moved to centre forward picked off a lovely point before Ben Roche marauded forward from midfield to kick a cracker from the right wing as the High School exerted their dominance & finally started to convert their chances as Aaron McAndrew landed a long distance score off his left boot.

After yet another turnover deep in their own half, the Clonmel school broke at pace & after Dylan McCormack collected a kick pass, he beat his man before selling an exquisite dummy & finishing low to the bottom corner with his left foot with just three minutes remaining & settled this tie as a contest.

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Dylan McCormack @clonmel_og nails his goal 🙌🏻🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/DdcKXL8tAO

— High School Clonmel- an Edmund Rice School (@hsclonmelcbs) December 16, 2024

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Midleton continued to attack but time after time, they met aggressive & stern High School tackling in what was a highlight of the game throughout. This ultimately played into the Clonmel school hands as Harry Lawlor broke from defense to add his name to the scoreboard. Dara Beckett had a goal chance saved by the Midleton goalkeeper before Killian Smith, who had been excellent throughout, helped himself to his third point from play in what proved the final score of the day in stoppage time. Soon afterwards, Limerick referee Seán Carey sounded the final whistle to delirious scenes as High School supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate.

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Glory, glory High School, Munster champions @Munsterpps 👏🔴💪❤️ pic.twitter.com/VVAQWSqrd4

— High School Clonmel- an Edmund Rice School (@hsclonmelcbs) December 16, 2024

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The High School, who had a Titanic battle with Cashel CS in their opening tie before defeating Our Lady’s Templemore & Presentation Miltown to get to the final, proved to be a very balanced side. James O’Brien was solid throughout in goal but was ably protected by Oisín O’Reilly, the tigerish Rian Galko & Moyle Rovers Aidan White throughout. Captain Andrew Ryan at centre back was arguably Man of the Match as he held Midleton dangerman Tom A Walsh scoreless from play while David Ryan, before his unfortunate injury and Rory O’Reilly drove forward whilst never shirking their defensive responsibilities.

At midfield, Ben Roche & Fergal Bradshaw may have faced a height disadvantage but this did not deter their influence as they covered every blade of the synthetic grass. In a match that all starting forwards scored, Aaron McAndrew was a great kick out option & contributed a great point while Enda Condon of Clonmel Commercials linked defense & attack & finished his goal chance with aplomb. Conall Morrisson was key at 11 for the Clonmel side, delivering quality ball inside to the lethal inside trio of Conor Freaney, Dylan McCormack & Killian Smith. Between them, they contributed 3-3 but they were the major beneficiaries of the early ball kicked in by their teammates as has been the case all year as this High School side favoured the direct, early ball into their full-forward line. The strength in depth of the High School was also on show as they used five substitutes who all contributed well with Harry Lawlor pointing & on another day, Dara Beckett could have finished with 1-1 to his name.

The High School, managed by Dave Nugent (The Nire) & Stephen Ryan (Golden/Kilfeacle) had 51 players named on their programme, with all having played games throughout the year, showing the hugely progressive work being done in the school & they got their just reward in this Munster title.

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Well done to Mr Ryan & Mr Nugent 👏🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/8JFbJZoYY5

— High School Clonmel- an Edmund Rice School (@hsclonmelcbs) December 16, 2024

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Afterwards, Mike Nash (representing Munster GAA Post Primary Schools) presented the Corn Liam Uí Uigínn to High School Clonmel Captain Andrew Ryan.

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The school now looks forward to a senior Munster football semi-final against Coláiste na Sceilge, Caherciveen & a senior Munster hurling quarter-final against Coláiste Mhúire of Thurles, along with under 15 championships in the new year as they hope to add more silverware to the cabinet.

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Corn Liam Uí Uigínn – Under 17 B Football Roll of Honour

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High School Clonmel Panel: James O’Brien (Moyle Rovers), Oisín O’Reilly (Clonmel Óg), Rian Galko (Clonmel Óg), Aidan White (Moyle Rovers), Rory O’Reilly (Clonmel Óg) , Andrew Ryan (The Nire, Captain), David Ryan (The Nire), Ben Roche (Kilsheelan/Kilcash, 0-1), Fergal Bradshaw (Moyle Rovers), Enda Condon (Clonmel Commercials, 1-0), Conall Morrisson (Moyle Rovers, 0-1 free), Aaron McAndrew (Moyle Rovers, 0-1), Conor Freaney (Kilsheelan/Kilcash, 1-0), Dylan McCormack (Clonmel Óg, 2-0), Killian Smith (Clonmel Commercials, 0-3)
Subs: Harry Lawlor (Clonmel Commercials, 0-1), Dara Beckett (Clonmel Commercials), Aidan McMaugh (The Nire), Dylan Condon (Clonmel Commercials), Colin Roche (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Natan Gucwa (Clonmel Commercials).
Ben Fuller (Clonmel Commercials), Charlie Byrne (Clonmel Óg), Conor Walsh (The Nire), Conor Williams (Moyle Rovers), Dónal O’Callaghan (Clonmel Commercials), Enda Nolan (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Hugh Carolan (Moyle Rovers), Kayden Cloona (Clonmel Commercials), Kyle Power (Clonmel Óg), Paddy Power (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Adam Blanchfield (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Ben Tierney (Clonmel Commercials), Billy Cooney (Clonmel Commercials), Callum Condon (Clerihan), Cyril Robinson (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Eoin O’Gorman (Clonmel Commercials), Gavin Mahony (Clonmel Óg), Jack Duggan (Moyle Rovers), Michael Dempsey (Clerihan), Michael Maher (Moyle Rovers), Nathan Sukasuka (Clonmel Óg), Nathan Wynne (Clonmel Commercials), Olan Doocey (The Nire), Patrick Lyons (Grangemockler), Seán McMenamin (Clonmel Óg), Seán Woods (Moyle Rovers), Seán Tom Nugent (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Shane Madigan (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Shay Scully (Clonmel Commercials), Tristan O’Connor (Kilsheelan/Kilcash).

Winning High School Clonmel panel with the Cup