Monday, December 6, 2021
CONNACHT collected their second title in three years when they overcome a talented Leinster outfit in an eight goal thriller in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh yesterday afternoon (December 5).
There were three teams in contention following Munster’s demolition of Ulster in the previous game, meaning Leinster needed to win by +3 goals to capture the title. If Leinster won but by a narrower goal margin, Munster would have captured the silverware on goal difference.
However, Connacht were in the driving seat as they only needed a draw to win outright.
An exciting and tense conclusion to the Interprovincial series as the final game got underway on Sunday afternoon.
Alan Murphy’s side got the dream start as Clarin College pupil Mark O’HALLORAN netted a sublime effort that curled into the top corner, two minutes in.
Their lead was short lived as Stephen MOHAN of Clonkeen College equalised five minutes later. Then Leinster took the lead through Kilkenny College student Michael RAGGETT.
Ian Ryan was down to 10 men following the dismissal of goal-scorer Mohan just before the interval
Leinster regained their momentum early in the second period when RAGGET popped up again to convert his second and Leinster’s third of the day.
Connacht responded almost immediately to make it 3-2 with Calasanctius College scholar Steven HEALY getting in on the action.
Then the impressive David Tarmey missed a penalty fifteen minutes in, to square things up, but Aaron HEANEY of St. Gerald’s College equalised on 57 minutes, 3-3.
Connacht then went ahead as Steven HEALY added to his tally while just before the final whistle TARMEY made up for his spot kick blunder by converting from close range to finish their account with a respective 5-3 victory over the reigning Champions. A well deserved title for the Connacht crew with three wins from three in this season’s series.
In the earlier encounter, Munster brushed past Paul Browne’s Ulster side with ease, 7-2.
Ulster looked promising in the early exchanges and their efforts were rewarded four minutes in as the hardworking Jamie HARRIS netted.
David CREMIN (Christian Brothers College, Cork) scored one either side of the break and got his hat-trick 12 minutes from time as well as first half goals from Fionn DOHERTY (Kilkee CC), Franco UMEH (Ashton School) and a brace from Leon AYINDE (Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Cork), one coming from the spot.
Ulster’s second was from the penalty spot with St. Eunan’s College student Fouad BASHER slotting home.
Munster were just to strong and dominated for long periods of the game.
MATCH DAY ONE | FRIDAY
Leinster opened proceedings against Ulster on Friday evening in the first of six fixtures over the three days.
Clonkeen College grad Stephen MOHAN came agonising close to opening the scoring for Leinster on 23 minutes.
However, Michael RAGGETT (St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny) broke the deadlock from close range five minutes later.
Cian DOYLE (Woodbrook College, Bray) doubled their tally fifteen minutes into the restart while Lennon GILL (St. Benildus College) got the first of his brace five minutes later with a delightful header at the back post. His second and Leinster’s fourth of the afternoon came nine minutes from time with a sublime pile driver to wrap up proceedings. The game finished 4-0 to Ian Ryan’s squad.
In the other contest, Connacht overcame Munster with a solidarity goal courtesy of Claregalway scholar David TARMEY as he made the most of a defensive error to slot the ball into an empty net.
Munster had a goal ruled off side just before the interval and were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty early in the second.
Billy Woods men found themselves down to 10 men following the dismissal of David Eguaibor with seven minutes remaining. The team grew frustrated with the lack of finish in the final third as they went in search of the equaliser that never materialized.
MATCH DAY TWO | SATURDAY
A different challenge lay ahead for Munster on Saturday afternoon when they took on Leinster.
De La Salle College starlet Tony EBHONUAYE converted brilliantly for the only goal of the game 20 minutes in.
Leinster finished the game with nine players following the dismissal of Jamie Duggan and Kieran Cruise late on.
The other fixture, created a high scoring encounter which saw Connacht win out an 8 goal showcase against Ulster, ending 6-2 to the lads from the West.
David TARMEY scored after just four minutes but this was cancelled out by Jamie HARRIS several minutes later while TARMEY netted again before the interval, 2-1 at half-time.
TARMEY’s hat-trick was complete 12 minutes into the restart and Michael LAVIN scored twice before Gerard O’RIORDAIN made it 6-1 on the hour mark.
A wonderful free-kick from Carndonagh CS Adam DUFFY ensured a more respectable score-line and they could have netted again only for the heroics of Connacht keeper leaving it 6-2.
While Ulster may be somewhat disappointed with their title endeavours this season, notwithstanding the results, Browne’s select will be hopeful that some of his players will progress through the ranks in the next fortnight. Billy Woods and Ian Ryan should be happy with their players performances and no doubt a few will advance to the next level with some Connacht stars in toe.
INTERNATIONAL SELECTION
As well as the Interprovincial title, this tournament is used as the key recruiting process for the underage International squad at schools level. The Schools select compete in the Celtic Cup and Centenary Shield annually. The team have competed since 2003 and the Republic of Ireland have won the competition seven times in 15 years, most recently in 2018.
The International management team of John McShane (Dublin International School), Derek O’Brien (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore), Ollie Horgan (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny) and Conor Foley (Athlone Community College), will have a difficult task to whittle down a provisional squad to attend trials in Dublin on Sunday, December 19.
INTERPROVINCIAL PANELS
ULSTER | Oisin FARRELL, Liam DONNELLY (Loreto Community School, Milford), Colin MOONEY (St. Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs), Tiernan BROWN, Fouad BASHAR, Ryan CREEVY, Fintan DOHERTY (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Adam DUFFY, Sean O’DONNELL, Jamie McKINNEY (Carndonagh Community School), Jamie HARRIS, Mark MBULI (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Conor CAMPBELL (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town), Oisin PORTER (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), Cuan LAFFERTY, Marc DOHERTY (Moville Community College)
Management | Paul Browne (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Michael Kelly (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Garrett McDaid (St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny)
MUNSTER | Aaron MANNIX (MICC Dunmanway), Alex HEALY BYRNE (Glanmire Community College), Michael McCARTHY (Meanscoil San Nicolás, Waterford), Colin HENDERSON (St. Francis College, Rochestown), Charlie O’BRIEN (Pobalscoil na Trionióde, Youghal), Liam HOPKINS (Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, Cork), David EDUAIBOR (Bishopstown Community School), David CREMIN (Christian Brothers College, Cork), Liam MURRAY (Skibbereen Community School), Leon AYINDE (Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Cork), Zach DUNNE (Presentation Brothers College, Cork), Fionn DOHERTY (Kilkee Community College), Franco UMEH (Ashtown School, Blackrock), Aaron HEALY (Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig), Tony EBHONUAYE, Dara KAVANAGH (De La Salle College, Waterford)
Management | Billy Woods (Glanmire Community College), Brian Nolan (Mount Sion CBS, Waterford), Kevin Condon (Coláiste Dun Íascaigh, Cahir), David Browne (Physio)
LEINSTER | Jack ROSS (Presentation College, Bray), Michael KEYES, Jake McCORMACK (Malahide Community School), Kieran CRUISE, Lennon GILL (St. Benildus College, Stillorgan), Jamie DUGGAN (Cross & Passion College, Kilcullen), Oisín COLEMAN (St. Mary’s College, Dundalk), Sam NORVAL (Wexford CBS), Cian DOYLE (Woodbrook College, Bray), Michael RAGGETT (St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny), Stephen MOHAN, Conor McMANUS (Clonkeen College, Blackrock), Fionn McCARTHY (Naas CBS), Agbo BABATUNDE (Coláiste Choilm, Tullamore), Odhran LAWLOR (Tullamore College), Fintan AGNEW (Scoil Mhuire, Clane)
Management | Ian Ryan (St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue), Fintan Sheridan (St. Kevin’s Community College, Clondalkin), Davey Cullen (Woodbrook College, Bray), Ferdia McKeon (Physio)
CONNACHT | Kieran McDONAGH (Presentation College, Headford), Michael LAVIN (Coláiste Muire, Ballymote), Ryan NOLAN (Holy Rosary College, Mountbellow), Darragh REILLY, Aaron HEANEY (St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar), Niall HOLOHAN (Carrick on Shannon Community School), Eanna CLANCY (St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton), Mark O’HALLORAN, Adam O’HALLORAN (Clarin College, Athenry), Steven HEALY, James MURPHY (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), David TARMEY, Mikey McCULLAGH, Gerard O’RIORDAIN (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Co na Gaillimhe), Churchill IDEMUDIA (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), James LUKAU (Merlin College, Galway)
Management | Alan Murphy (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Alex Lee (St. Joseph’s College, Galway), Kevin Murphy (Coach), Keith McTigue (Coach)
UNDER 18 BOYS’ INTERPROVINCIAL TOURNAMENT | RESULTS
Friday, December 3
4.00pm Leinster 4-0 Ulster
6.30pm Connacht 1-0 Munster
Saturday, December 4
3.00pm Leinster 0-1 Munster
5.30pm Ulster 2-6 Connacht
Sunday, December 5
10.30am Ulster 2-7 Munster
12.30pm Connacht 5-3 Leinster
Roll of Honour: Boys’ Interprovincial Tournament Winners
|
YEAR |
WINNER |
VENUE |
|
2001 |
Leinster |
Ballybofey, Donegal |
|
2002 |
Leinster |
Ballybofey, Donegal |
|
2003 |
Leinster |
Ballybofey, Donegal |
|
2004 |
Leinster |
New Ross, Wexford |
|
2005 |
Leinster |
Salthill Devon, Galway |
|
2006 |
Munster |
Limerick |
|
2007 |
Leinster |
Monaghan/Cavan |
|
2008 |
Leinster |
Tullamore |
|
2009 |
Leinster |
Tullamore/Athlone |
|
2010 |
Leinster |
Tullamore/Athlone |
|
2011 |
Leinster |
Tullamore/Athlone |
|
2012 |
Munster |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2013 |
Connacht |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2014 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2015 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2016 |
Ulster |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2017 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2018 |
Connacht |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2019 |
Leinster |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
|
2020 |
N/A COVID-19 |
|
|
2021 |
Connacht |
AUL Complex, Dublin |
END