CBS Clonmel defeat St. Benildus College
UMBRO FAI Schools First Year Boys National Semi Final
CBS High School, Clonmel 3-1 St. Benildus College, Stillorgan
CBS High School, Clonmel exceeded all expectations as they progressed to their first National Final having beaten a skilful St. Benildus College today in Portlaoise AFC.
The Munster Champions are managed by David Dineen and Darius Delahunty and both lads praised the efforts of the team today for an unbelievable achievement. It was the first time the school had won a Munster title having beaten Rochestown College 4-2 in Buttevant last Wednesday to lift the crown for the first time in the School’s history.
It’s now fantastic to think we will now be playing in an All Ireland Final. Brendan Hoyne’s team enjoyed the early exchanges but it was CBS who had the first real opportunity to register a score. Shane Doyle was deemed to have infringed Shane Crowley 30 yards out. Kevin Fahy took the free kick and his curling cross was met by the right foot of Michael Maller in the box.
Maller sliced the ball to Tom Kirwan but his tame effort slid past the post on eight minutes.
Three minutes later, Kirwan was in the action again when he found himself in space after a good through ball from Steven Carey. Kirwan out ran two defenders to round the keeper.
Unfortunately the ball had too much pace and he couldn’t control it into the path of goal. A lucky escape for the Saints. Clonmel enjoyed a spell of possession football but couldn’t convert their chances on goal. With thirteen minutes played, St. Benildus scored against the run of play. The talented Kaleem Simon was on hand to pick up a loose ball at the edge of the box to slot past keeper Ross Mulcahy from close range.
Two minutes later Sean Bedford won the ball at midfield and supplied Kaleem Simon immediately. Simon’s effort from eighteen yards was hit with great velocity. The shot just rising over the upright. With half time fast approaching, Clonmel went in search of the equaliser.
Captain Shane Crowley narrowly missed out on the celebrations after a tremendous strike on goal was saved superbly by the inform Kevin Creasey. CBS piled on the pressure and seconds later the Dubliner’s found themselves in trouble again. This time the woodwork denied Tom Kirwan after he headed in from close range. Clonmel continued their dominance in the second half and their hard work was rewarded three minutes in when Tom Kirwan finally found the net after a strong attack down the right. Niall McCabe and Shane Doyle couldn’t prevent the striker from firing past Creasey in goal to make it 1-1. Game on.
Kevin Nolan had a super strike on goal with 37 minutes played. It took a gallant save from Ross Mulcahy to deny Benildus their second of the afternoon. Dubliner Mark Burke was introduced for Niall McCabe with 45 minutes played. The Munster men took the lead courtesy of Michael Maller. Tom Kirwan an influential player fed Maller with an excellent ball through the centre of the park.
Maller took the ball past Daragh O’Connor and slotted the ball in the bottom corner to make to 2-1 with ten minutes remaining. Liam Paisley was carried off injured with four minutes remaining. He was replaced by Jamie Moore. The Stillorgan School applied the pressure to take the game to extra time. A sweet corner from Kevin Power Kelly was met by Kevin Nolan but Ross Mulcahy got down low to save under immense pressure.
Dominic Walsh was shown a yellow card after a high tackle on
CBS HIGH SCHOOL, CLONMEL: Ross Mulcahy, Luke Boland, Dominc Walsh, Steven Kelly, Steven Carey, Michael Maller, Shane Crowley (Capt), Michael Connolly, Kevin Fahy, Tom Kirwan, Andrew Hill
Subs: David Murray, Brian Mangan, Padraig Power, Dale O’Donnell, Kevin McMahony
Management team: Darius Delahunty & David Dineen
ST BENILDUS COLLEGE, STILLORGAN: Kevin Creasey, Niall McCabe, Shane Doyle, Sean Bedford, Daragh O’Connor, Asley Peters, Liam Paisley, Kevin Power Kelly, Kevin Nolan, Kaleem Simon, Liam Vaughan
Subs: Mark Burke for Niall McCabe (45), Jamie Moore, Patrick Joyce, Stephen Kinsella, Shane McKeon
Management team: Brendan Hoyne & Oisin McEoin
Referee: Peter Moore (Kildare)
END