O’ Meara and Murphy combine for St Joseph’s festive title win

Under 15 schools hurling final
St Joseph’s Tulla 4-8 St Anne’s Killaloe 4-6
With school ending for the Christmas break the festive mood in St Joseph’s Tulla on Tuesday afternoon was suspended for an hour as the home side hosted St Anne’s in a hard hitting schools final and the second last game in this year’s series of competitions.

St Joseph’s had to dig deep to take the laurels against a physical and committed St Anne’ side that in the first half took the chances that were offered up to them, However, the stiff breeze that backed the home side and a far greater defensive performance allowed St Joseph’s to take charge and despite a number of close shaves in the closing minutes held out for a two-point success.
The first number of attacks were offered up by St Anne’s after a couple of close misses Luke McKeogh had the opening score for the visitors to Tulla. Much was expected from St Joseph’s full forward Liam Murphy and indeed he did turn goal maker in the second half. He equalised for Tulla soon after the opening score for St Anne’s

Donnacha Morgan was on hand for the first of eight goals in this end to end final after good work by Luke McKeogh and Fionn Reid. A stunning 5th minute point out on the wing by Luke McKeogh left St Anne’s four clear before Murphy was on hand for his sides second point. Darragh Rosney after 10 minutes had the ball past Ben O’ Halloran for the border school’s second goal and two minutes later Fionn Reid was upended and Luke McKeogh goaled the penalty and with less than a quarter played St Anne’s were (3-2) to (0-2) clear. The height of the St Anne’s side in key positions was causing Tulla issues as McKeogh and Murphy traded scores after 22 minutes. The Killaloe side sent three efforts wide as the Tulla defence did manage to stop the goal shots and led by Harry Nolan, Dermot O’ Halloran, Louis Jennings and Alex Guilfoyle got a handle on proceedings without creating scoring opportunities at the other end. Darragh Rosney and Mark McGrath swopped scores in the 26th minute as nine points it appeared would be the difference at the break. Yet, one last St Anne’s attack before the break ended with their fourth goal as Donnacha Morgan made no mistake to leave his colleagues (4-4) to (0-4) ahead looking into the second half with great confidence.

Yet, the optimism was diluted with seven minutes of the restart as St Joseph’s kicked (2-1) without response as Liam Murphy struck for the goal as Harry Nolan added the point to cut the St Anne’s led to five points. Darragh Rosney and Mark McGrath swopped scores by the 42nd minute before Murphy and Nolan once more on target left just a goal, (4-5) to (2-8) between the sides entering the final quarter.

Darragh Rosney set up the hard-working Joshua Moloney and St Anne’s went four up and appeared to have slowed down the Tulla onslaught. Yet, the major figure in the last ten minutes of the final was yet to emerge and when he did it was with ruthless efficiency just as his father Liam senior manages in his role as the butcher in Tulla. Liam Og O’ Meara who had been sidelined with a hand injury was introduced at the break and had offered little real influence on the game yet two touches led to two goals in five minutes. On each occasion Liam Murphy had sent in the shot and both times O’ Meara was on hand to hit the rebound to the net. St Anne’s were stunned and the tension rose with some hard tackling by both sides leading to referee John Bugler having to intervene. St Anne’s attacked realising defeat was looming and one last effort by Joshua Moloney was tipped out by Ben O’ Halloran and minutes later St Joseph’s were the confirmed winners.

It was wonderful to see both schools really wanting to win with Christmas day just hours away and bodes well for the competitive element within both schools engendered by both managements as Louis Jennings lifted the Under 15 shield following the game. Best for the winners included Ben O’ Halloran, Louis Jenning, Dermot O’ Halloran, Harry Nolan who was superb, Alex Guilfoyle who had a busy second half, Henry Moloney, Mark McGrath, top scorer and worker Liam Murphy and supersub Liam Og O’ Meara. St Anne’s were devastated at the end as they had the lead for the vast majority of the game with Luke McKeogh, Joshua Moloney, David Nolan, Joe Murnane, Enda Tormey, Darragh Rosney, Fionn Reid and Gary Slevin gave their all in a battling performance in their school jersey

St Joseph’s Tulla: Ben O’ Halloran (Clooney/Quin), Louis Jennings (Tulla), Cathal Ryan (Sixmilebridge), Michael Hannon (Clooney/Quin), Dermot O’ Halloran (Clooney/Quin), Harry Nolan (Tulla), Finn Minogue (Feakle), Alex Guilfoyle (Crusheen), Henry Moloney (Feakle), Hugh Vaughan (Broadford), Mark McGrath (Clooney/Quin), Evan Kinsella (Tulla), Michael Rochford (Tulla), Liam Murphy (O C Mills), Joe Clune (Tulla). Subs: Liam Og O’ Meara (Tulla), Kevin McCarthy (Clooney/Quin), Matthew Molloy (Tulla) Finn McConnologue (Tulla).
St Joseph’s Tulla scorers: Liam Murphy (2-4), Liam Og O’ Meara (2-0), Mark McGrath (0-2), Harry Nolan (0-2)

St Anne’s Killaloe: David Nolan (Ballina), James O Callaghan (Smith O’ Briens), Joe Murnane (Smith O’ Briens), Darragh Mullane (Ballina), Enda Tormey (Ballina), Dylan Browne (Smith O’ Briens), Joshua Moloney (Ballina), Luke McKeogh (Ballina), Liam Hannon (Ballina), Darragh Rosney (Smith O’ Briens), Gary Slevin (Ballina), Donagh Walshe Forde (Smith O’ Briens), Fionn Reid (Clonlara), Donnacha Morgan (Ballina). Subs: Luke Joyce (Smith O’ Briens), Eoin McCarthy (Ballina),
St Anne’s Killaloe scorers: Luke McKeogh (1-3), Donnacha Morgan (2-0), Darragh Rosney (1-2), Joshua Moloney (0-1)

Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)