St Joseph’s Tulla once more champions as they retain title

Munster Under 15B post primary schools hurling final
St Joseph’s Tulla 1-17 – CBC, Cork 3-7

“Two in a row” was chanted loud and proud by St Joseph’s Tulla following a thrilling Under 15B Munster final recently. Since emerging just over half a dozen years winning Munster Senior B honours St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla ironically defeating CBC in that final have stayed at the top table regularly contesting finals in B grade and famously winning the 2022 Harty Cup.
St Joseph’s were back in a well-appointed Banteer GAA grounds on an astro pitch that was minimum size with the two 65’s meeting in the centre on Wednesday last attempting to retain the Under 15B title. CBC were the prematch favourites, but the Clare school started in some style with scores from Morgan Culloo and James O’Donnell. The intense tackling ability of the Cork school kept them in the game upsetting time and time again the movement of St Joseph’s Tulla. Danny O’Donovan opened CBC’s account before Hugh Vaughan who ended up as the game’s top scorer opened his account. CBC’s corner forward Ger Kingston hit their first goal they took the lead after 18 minutes. James O’ Donnell and Patrick Murphy levelled proceedings for Tulla before a long ball into the Tulla square was tipped to the net by Tom Huggins. The Tulla team and supporters were stunned and looked in dire need of scores especially as O’Donovan and Huggins added CBC points as Patrick Murphy had the final Tulla score of the half to leave CBC (2-4) to (0-6) ahead. Interestingly, Murphy’s score was greeted with relief by St Joseph’s supporters as it seemed to stem the tide of the capable Cork attack and also leave the deficit at a manageable level.
It must be accepted that CBC had more scoring chances in the first half but sent a mammoth 10 efforts wide and 15 in total as opposed to a paltry five over the hour for St Joseph’s Tulla. A changed attitude from St Joseph’s Tulla saw a more determined side start the second half with the first three scores before luckily for CBC their corner back Sean Riordan to lift the siege and restore a four-point lead after 37 minutes. The St Joseph’s midfield of Marcas Fitzpatrick and James O’Donnell and the mercurial young talent of Nikolai Belenko were also having a growing impact.
St Joseph’s Tulla then seized the game with intent scoring seven of the intervening eight points as Murphy and Vaughan made no errors as their school sneaked (0-16) to (3-5) ahead after 53 minutes. CBC through Ben Hayes narrowed the gap but his side were living for scraps as the Clare school were rampant. Hugh Vaughan sent his side two clear before a long ball from Patrick Murphy found the net and St Joseph’s once more were champions. Cathal Ryan, Cian Maxted, James O’ Donnell, Nikie Belenko, Hugh Vaughan and Patrick Murphy were all involved in the two in a row success which is a notable achievement for any school to add to their sporting history.
Darragh McMahon’s charges were dominant in play for most of the game but had to pull deep from their reserves to counter the hammer blows of the three goals especially the two first goals. Best for the two in a row side included Eoin Shanahan, Cian Maxted who came more into the game from the 20th minute onwards, Oisin Slattery, Paul McMahon, Marcas Fitzpatrick, James O’Donnell, Patrick Murphy, the accurate Hugh Vaughan and Nikolai Belenko. CBC will have deep regrets about the wide tally that absolutely filleted their title chances. Their star performers included Ger Kingston, Tom Huggins, Billy Sheehan, Sean Riordan, David Cronin, Danny O’Donvan, Ben Hegarty, Alex Maher. Following the final the Munster cup was presented to St Joseph’s joint captains Cathal Ryan and James O’Donnell amid scenes of great celebrations.

St Joseph’s Tulla scorers; Hugh Vaughan (0-8) Patrick Murphy (1-4), James O’ Donnell (0-2), Morgan Culloo, Diarmuid O’ Rourke, Nikolai Belenko (0-1) each

St Joseph’s Tulla: Jamie Moroney (O Callaghans Mills) , Paul McMahon (Feakle), Eoin Shanahan (O C Mills), Odhran Perrill (Crusheen), Oisin Slattery (O Callaghans Mills), Cian Maxted (Clooney/Quin), Diarmuid O’ Rourke (Tulla), Marcas Fitzpatrick (Clooney/Quin), James O’ Donnell (Broadford), Eoin O’ Connor (Clooney/Quin), Cathal Ryan (Sixmilebridge) , Morgan Culloo (Tulla), Nikolai Belenko (Tulla), Patrick Murphy (Tulla), Hugh Vaughan (Broadford). Subs: Brian Conheady (Tulla) fo Culloo,

CBC scorers Tom Huggins (1-3), Ger Kingston (1-1), Sean Riordan (1-0), Danny O’ Donovan (0-2), Ben Hayes (0-1)

CBC: Billy Sheehan, Sean Riordan, Ciaran Kelly, David Cronin, James Harrington, James Healy, Shea Lynch, Cal McCarthy, Dessie Carroll, Darragh Barry, Alex Maher, Ben Hegarty, Ger Kingston, Tom Huggins, Danny O’ Donovan. Subs: Patrick McCarthy for Harrington, Breannain O’ Dalaigh for McCarthy, Jhaled Abdelrazik for Barry, Ben Hayes for Carroll

Referee: Andrew Purcell (Tipperary)