U-16 Leinster Colleges Hurling Champions

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1 U-16 Leinster Colleges Hurling Champions A Lifting the Fr Cosgrave Memorial Cup Captain Andrew Walsh Well done to our hurlers on a great win over St Peters College. Score line 0f 2:7 to 1:12. Match report to follow. Shane Power 7th International Pole Vault in What a busy summer it was for the Powers from Kiltown, The Rower. In archery Kevin and Catherine members of the New Ross

2 Dunbrody archery club have represented Ireland twice this summer. Kevin, a student in Good Counsel College, won the Scottish championships in Edinburgh and Catherine was 3rd. Then it was on to the big one, the European Field Archery Championships in Confolens France where Kevin came 5th in Europe and Catherine 22nd. Kevin will be still young enough to compete in the junior men U17 competition in Austria in two years time and hopes to bring home a European medal to add to his Ireland/UK win in 2012 and the numerous Irish records he already holds. Not to be out done Shane has represented Good Counsel College, New Ross in the Schools International pole vault in Cardiff where he came 7th. Shane was the sole member of the Irish team representing the College, this result was preceded by fine performances in the South Leinster, Leinster and All Ireland schools competitions and placed 3rd in the Inter Provincial Tailteann Games. Shane is also a member of St. Josephs Athletic Club and has come 3rd in the U17 All Ireland and won the Leinster Junior mens title. Not bad going as he only started pole vaulting in March. A big thank you goes to the coaches of Dunbrody Archery, St. Josephs A.C. and Laurance O Tooles A.C. Carlow where Shane does alot of his pole vault training. Under 16 Leinster & AllIreland Colleges A Football Success Match Reports

3 Watch a clip from the All Ireland Final above Super Blues!

4 U-16s on top in epic Leinster Football final GOOD COUNSEL ST PAT S NAVAN If there was a better game of Colleges football in Leinster than this during 2014, those who witnessed it were indeed the lucky ones. It would have taken a lot to match this provincial Colleges Junior football A final in Dr Cullen park on the 12th March 2014, as this game had almost everything. There were no cards of any colour, but attacking football, superb defending, a St Pat s goalkeeper who made some brilliant stops, fabulous goals, and two sides who just didn t know when to give in. It needed extra time to divide the teams but, if Good Counsel had lost, they would have been kicking themselves. They had so much of the ball during the first half normal-time, but Meath sides know how to defend as they gave nothing away easily. At the other end, the Good Counsel defenders were equally resilient. By the ninth minute, points from Mark Rossiter, Luke Sinnott(2) and Thomas O Connor put Good Counsel 0-4 to 0-0 ahead. St Pat s shot four wides during the opening period, but Good Counsel defender Martin Doyle put his body on the line when denying Conor Brennan. Coming up to half-time, Navan keeper Luke Condie made the first of his many saves when keeping out the marauding Daragh Lyons. With chances being created at both ends, the half time score of 0-5

5 to 0-2. One minute into the second-half Counsel seemed to have taken a grip of the proceedings when Mark Rossiter reacted first to plant the ball in the back of the net after Thomas O Connor s penalty had come back off the right hand upright. O Connor added a point and Good Counsel had created a seven point lead. It was too early to retreat back into their shell, but that is what seemed to happen. St Pat s wing back Éanna Mooney and Conor Nash became the pivotal figures. Thomas Reilly combined well with those around him. Nash and Mooney pointed. Within the space of a minute, the game looked to been torn out of the grasp of our boys as Nash and Mooney added a goal apiece. Good Counsel s lead was gone, and momentum was with the Navan boys when Good Counsel dug deep. An O Connor point levelled matters, but defences ruled for the remainder of the contest. In the final quarter, a Christian Byrne point nudged St Pat s in front once again, and it took six minutes for Adam Mansfield to secure the equaliser for Good Counsel. With Darragh Lyons and Mikie Dwyer hunting relentlessly for possession it was all Good Counsel. The winning point wouldn t come. Neither would a goal, but that was down to the heroics of the St Pat s goalkeeper. Our captain Ian Carthy did have a last ditch 45, but his effort sailed narrowly wide, and it was down to extra-time. St Pat s brought in fresh legs, but both Kevins (Kehoe & Bates) opted to hold fast, which was to prove a wise course of action. Our supporters were excellent at this stage where the Super-blues chant carried across the field, encouraged by seniors John Walsh, Cian O Donoghue and Donncha O Connor. Encouraged by this support our boys showed their intent and struck immediately. When Joe Sutton saw his shot hit off a post, Thomas O Connor gathered the rebound to goal. Sinnott added a point and St Pat s were reeling. They did hit back with a point, and Good Counsel keeper Cian O Connor made a great save. Ciarán O Hanlon was unable to finish off the

6 rebound and watched in dismay as his fist steered the ball wide. The killer goal came just before the first period of extra time when Sinnott fired home from close range. At 3-11 to 2-7, we were almost home. In the 71 st minute, Ian Carthy extended the lead with a point. O Connor then converted a penalty to bring our supporters to the sideline in anticipation of a famous win. A late Paddy Carpenter point for St Pat s wasn t even a consolation. There was no doubt that Good Counsel deserved to win as they were the best team on the day. The memory of their loss to the same opposition at Juvenile level only a couple of years previously, had now been consigned to distant memory with immense satisfaction. Colm O Rourke s complimentary speech in our dressing room after the match was very well received. Counsel abú! GOOD COUNSEL COLLEGE: Cian O Connor(Cloughbawn), Martin Doyle(Fethard), Mark O Neill(Gusserane), Sean Barden(Adamstown), Tadhg Cody(Cushinstown), Joe Sutton(Fethard), Eoin Porter(Cushinstown), Darragh Lyons(Ramsgrange), Ian Carthy(Taghmon, capt, 0-1), Adam Mansfield(Mullinavat, 0-2), Mikey Dwyer(Fethard), Martin Fitzharris(Gusserane), Thomas O Connor(Tullogher-Rosbercon, 2-4, 1 frees, 1 penalty), Luke Sinnott(Taghmon, 1-3), Mark Rossiter(Gusserane, 1-2 frees, 1 free) Subs: Ciarán O Connor(Rathnure) for Sinnott (extra-time), also: John Roche(Gusserane), Adam Winters (Taghmon-Camross), Ciarán Conway(Gusserane), Richie Waters(Fethard), Eoin Higgins(Rathnure), Evan Murphy(Adamstown), Conor Crosbie(Ramsgrange), Paul Manning(Tullogher Rosbercon), Daire Bolger(Cushinstown), Shane Doyle(Taghmon), Sam Wall (Gusserane), Liam Stafford(Adamstown), Tichard Gill(Tullogher), Emmett Coakley(Graiguenamanagh), Rory Higgins(Rathnure), Aaron Ryan(Cushinstown), James Tobin(Rathnure), Daire McGrath(Tullogher-Rosbercon), Clem Rossiter(Bannow-Ballymitty) ST PATS NAVAN: Luke Condie, Paddy Carpenter(0-1), Thomas

7 McGuinness, James Finnerty, Éanna Mooney(1-1), Éanna O Kelly, Niall Hickey, Conor Nash(1-1), Louis Timmons, Caolach Halligan, Thomas O Reilly, Christian Byrne(0-1), Conor Brennan, Jason Reddy, Seán Smyth(0-4). Subs: Chris Smyth for Conor Brennan, Páraic Diamond for Louis Timmons, Eoghan Prior for Caolach Halligan, Ciarán O Hanlon for Jason Reddy. COUNSEL 2014 ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS (U-16) GOOD COUNSEL ST FRANCIS (ROCHESTOWN) Winning an All-Ireland title is always a special achievement, but to do so in the style employed by our boys in misty Clonmel on Saturday 5th April, takes it to another level. The boys in blue and white(super-blues) were simply awesome from start to finish as they destroyed a highly rated St Francis College(Rochestown) outfit in this Junior A decider bringing a first National title home since the seniors did the business in Croke Park back in This is the first year for this competition to be played out to All-Ireland level rather than stopping in the respective provinces, and Counsel proved worthy first ever winners of the Paul McGirr memorial cup as they were in a different class to their rivals. It was the ultimate team performance and there wasn t a single weak link on the field. Enjoying first use of the strong wind blowing towards the town centre end, the Barrowsiders produced a power packed first thirty minutes to leat by twelve points to one point at the break, kicking a mere three wides in the

8 process. And when they added the first three points of the new half, it was quite clear that the Cork lads were heading for a comprehensive beating from a group of players prepared by the two Kevins, Kehoe and Bates. Counsel exerted control all over the field, opening their account tin the third minute when Luke Sinnott was fouled in the left corner and Mark Rossiter s short crossfield free was struck over the bar by towering midfielder Darragh Lyons. Rossiter was narrowly wide from another free before the stylish Thomas O Connor nonchalantly stroked over the first of his eight points in the seventh minute from a forty five. Adam Mansfield then set up midfielder and captain Ian Carthy to make it three, and on the rare occasions when St Francis did get the ball beyond midfield it was returned with interest. Central defenders Mark O Neill and Joe Sutton were immense for the victors, and whwn hard work was required they had willing accomplices in corner men Martin Doyle and Sean Barden plus wingers Eoin Porter and Tadhg Cody. Behind them Cian O Connor was an excellent net minder and, though Counsel s dominance was never in doubt, they still had good reason to be thankfull to the Cloughbawn lad for his reflexes on more than one occasion. The lead had been extended by six points to nil at the end of the first quarter after further scores from mark Rossitter(free), Ian Carthy and Thomas O Connor, with the latter firing inches over rather than under the bar off his left after a good move featuring Luke Sinnott and Martin Fitzharris. There was no let up from the leaders as they lorded it on breaks from Rochestown kickouts and piled on the agony for the Munster champions with a brace of points from all-rounder O Connor, the first after centre back Joe Sutton showed great tenacity in an exchange on the ground to win a 40/60 ball. The only respite for St Francis came in the form of a pointed free by corner forward Shane Kingston in the 22nd minute, but they conceded another four scores between then and half time. Thomas O Connor converted two frees, the first off the ground and the second via his hands, after impressive

9 link man Mikie Dwyer and inspiring captain Ian Carthy were impeded. Luke Sinnott then nearly raised the green flag when his instinctive first time kick on O Connor s pass close to goal flew over the bar after midfielders Darragh Lyons and Ian Carthy figured prominently in the build up. Yet another O Connor pointed free left Counsel with that handsome interval lead of twelve points to one, but nobody was counting their chickens all the same given the strength of the wind. All the any was of the half time chat centred on how St Francis would use elements but they were never given a chance to get into rhythm as our boys were hungry for more scores. O Connor only denied a goal by a smart save from Daniel O Mahony in the 33 r d minute after Ian Carthy placed a free in his grateful arms. Counsel had every angle covered, including reliable free-takers for either side of the field. While leftfooter O Connor handled the output on the right flank, Mark Rossiter kicked anything favourable to a right footer and duly th added to the lead in the 35 minute when Darragh Lyons was taken down. Netminder Cian O Connor was seen at his very best midway through the third quarter when Evan Ryle lobbed a quick free over a backtracking defence to Ciarán McCormack whose shot was bravely smothered. A lovely pass by Mikey Dwyer nd allowed Adam Mansfield the room to get off the mark in the 42 minute, before St Francis had a mini spell of dominance that was always going to comme given the energy expounded by the Counsel lads. It didn t amount to much though, just two pointed frees from Shane Kingston and another from play. Having said that, it took a magnificent block from Joe Sutton to deny Kevin O Donovan a goal in the 49th minute when a high line ball was kicked to the far post from the right flank. Moments later goalkeeper Cian O Connor kept his eye on the leather and cleared his lines under pressure from Kingston as another skyscraper was launched towards his posts. With that mini-storm weathered, it was time for Counsel to put some icing on the cake. On a perfect day it was no surprise that an

10 inspired substitution should be part of the story, and so it proved as Jamie Myler was introduced for Luke Sinnott in the 54th minute and 40 seconds later, with his first touch he drove a low left-footed shot to the net after receiving an Adam Mansfield handpass (1.15 to 0-4). Evan Ryle managed a couple of late consolation points for St Francis, but Cian O Connor was ntent on keeping his goal intact and made another excellent save from Cathal Dold in between. This was a vintage display, make no mistake about it. Rarely if ever has a Wexford team won an All-Ireland with such conviction and style, and it was a pleasure to be in south Tipperary to witness it. Good Counsel College: Cian O Connor(Cloughbawn), Martin Doyle(Fethard), Mark O Neill(Gusserane), Sean Barden(Adamstown), Tadhg Cody(Cushinstown), Joe Sutton(Fethard), Eoin Porter(Cushinstown), Darragh Lyons(Ramsgrange, 0-1), Ian Carthy(Taghmon, capt, 0-2), Adam Mansfield(Mullinavat, 0-1), Mikey Dwyer(Fethard), Martin Fitzharris(Gusserane), Thomas O Connor(Tullogher-Rosbercon, 0-8, 4 frees, 1 45), Luke Sinnott(Taghmon, 0-1), Mark Rossiter(Gusserane, 0-2 frees) Subs: Jamie Myler(Ramsgrange, 1-0) for Sinnott (54), John Roche for Fitzharris(64), also Ciaran O Connor(Rathnure), Adam Winters (Taghmon-Camross), Ciarán Conway(Gusserane), Richie Waters(Fethard), Eoin Higgins(Rathnure), Evan Murphy(Adamstown), Conor Crosbie(Ramsgrange), Paul Manning(Tullogher Rosbercon), Daire Bolger(Cushinstown), Shane Doyle(Taghmon), Sam Wall (Gusserane), Liam Stafford(Adamstown), Tichard Gill(Tullogher), Emmett Coakley(Graiguenamanagh), Rory Higgins(Rathnure), Aaron Ryan(Cushinstown), James Tobin(Rathnure), Daire McGrath(Tullogher-Rosbercon), Clem Rossiter(Bannow-Ballymitty) St Francis College Rochestown: Daniel O Mahony, Nathan Walsh, John Cashman, Donnchadh Murphy (capt), David Stack, Seán

11 Porter, Niall Quirke, Brian Flahive, Eoghan O Brien, Cian Denn, Evan Ryle, (0.2) 1 free, Kevin O Donovan, Sam Collins, Ciarán McCormack, Shane Kingston(0-4, 3 frees). Subs James Holland for Denn(HT), Jack McCarthy for Quirke, temp(32-35), McCarthy for O Donovan (54), Cathal Dold for Collins (59). Tom Walsh Memorial 1st Year Hurling Blitz The pitches at GCC yesterday were proof positive of the quality of hurling in the South East corner of Ireland. Teams from Good Counsel College, St Peters, Enniscorthy CBS, De La Salle Waterford, St Kierans and the eventual victors Kilkenny CBS entertained in highly competitive and skilled games in what was described as a festival of hurling. This competition is organised in Memory of the late Tom Walsh, a highly respected Geography teacher in the school who instilled a passion in all sports but most especially hurling. In a fitting final, Kilkenny CBS beat St Kierans by 1 point with the final strike of the ball from a long range free. Thank you to the Leinster Council and Wexford county Board for sponsoring prizes on the day and to Luke O Hanlon, GAA Development Officer, for his support. We thank all of the

12 teachers and students for their sporting competition on the day and look forward to next year already. U-14 A Football 2012/13 Champions Good Counsel 4-5 / Scoil Mhuire Clane 2-7 Nine points down at half-time, and with at least ten of our players fighting illness in the run up to this U-14 Leinster Schools football A final at Dr Cullen park, Carlow on Feb 8 th, the odds of capturing this title for the third time in four years looked remote. True, we had the aid of a strong breeze to come, but not having scored in the first half we were somewhat dispirited. Scoil Mhuire(Kildare) had at times taken us apart in the opening period. Their chief tormentor was left corner forward, Ciarán Kelly. He scored the game s first two points and this was followed by an Adam Lynch goal on 17 minutes. Although we has some chances ourselves in that period, a combination of poor finishing into a stiff breeze and the quick reactions of the Clane keeper Liam Kennedy left us frustrated with no score at the end of the first half. Although our backs continued to battle admirably into the second quarter, a rather fortuitous goal by Kelly left the score at half time at 2-3 to 0-0 in Clane s favour. Good Counsel had a mountain to climb not only on the scoreboard but in motivating our players at half time with a combination of fatigue and sickness taking its toll. It was a

13 massive boost within 30 seconds of the restart however, when Luke Sinnott latched onto a long delivery, beat his marker and rifled the ball to the back of the net. It was a perfect tonic for our side at a vital stage in the game. Our Midfielder Andrew Walsh and half forward Jack Walsh who couldn t start the game due to sickness were to be seen on the sideline cheering on their team-mates. Clane hit back and brought their lead out to seven points. But it was game on when our corner forward Sam Wall volleyed a loose ball home. However, despite exerting considerable pressure, it was all of nine minutes before Darragh Lyons raised our first white flag. Darragh truly played a captain s role on the day while driving his team on with an inspirational performance while struggling with bronchitis and a broken finger. Despite numerous requests from the referee to be substituted Darragh dug deep for the Counsel and really did his school proud. Two points from Luke Sinnott and one from Sam Wall levelled matters with ten minutes left. The odds had now turned in our favour but Clane fought like terriers and the midlanders got a run on us to edge into a three point lead with time almost up. Incredibly and to our animated supporters delight, we managed to rescue the day. Thomas O Connor has scored many vital goals in this campaign but his equaliser was priceless. He took possession out on the left at a narrow angle and had a number of options, but he backed himself and let rip. The unfortunate Clane keeper never had a chance. It got worse for the Kildare side as almost from the resultant kick-out Kennedy was picking the ball out of the net again as Luke Sinnott found the net once more. It was game over. Thomas O Connor embellished a fine team performance with an insurance point which wasn t required. Perhaps, after a narrow semi-final defeat last year, our name was on the Cup this time round. True Champions. GOOD COUNSEL COLLEGE Fionn Slattery(Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), James O Shea

14 (Adamstown), Mark O Neill(Gusserane), Rory Higgins(Rathnure), Richard Gill(Tullogher-Rosbercon), Eoin Porter(RathgarogueCushinstown), Phillip Foley(St Fintan s), Darragh Lyons(St James, 0-1), Sean Kehoe(Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Emmett Coakley(Graiguenamanagh), Thomas O Connor(TullogherRosbercon, 1-1), Jack Byrne-Doyle(Mullinavat), Jamie Meyler(St James), Luke Sinnott, 2-2), Sam Wall(Gusseranae, 1-1) Subs: Eric Cummins(Cloughbawn) for Sean Kehoe. Rest of Panel: Andrew Walsh, Morgan White (Ramsgrange), Jack Culleton, Gavin Sheehan(Gusserane), Darragh O Connor(Cloughbawn), Jimmy Sutton, Morgan Purcell( (Fethard), Darren Hayden(Taghmon), Adam O Sullivan(Clongeen), Cathal O Connor(Rathnure), Sean Nolan, Cyril Prendergast, Aaron Mythen (Horeswood), Oisín Knox(Mullinavat), Jack Walsh(Rower Inistiogue), Liam Hennessey (Mullinavat), Jim Ryan (Rower-Inistiogue) Leinster U-16 Champions 2012/13 Hurling

15 Good Counsel College 2-10 St. Kieran s College 2-09 The Father John Cosgrave Cup returned home to Good Counsel College from Thomastown on Wednesday 24 th thanks to a brilliant gutsy display from our U-16 hurlers. The boys were rewarded for their hard work and stylish hurling by being crowned Leinster champions, overcoming fierce rivals St. Kieran s College by a single point. Good Counsel opened the scoring with a free from corner forward David Kelly who showed great composure throughout the game. However, mid-way through the half they found themselves trailing four points to two despite having good possession and numerous chances to score. During this period St. Kieran s scored two frees and added two from play while Willie Tracy kept the Good Counsel boys in touch with a well-taken score. Good Counsel began to exert a lot of pressure on their opponents approaching half time and were rewarded with the last three scores of the half. The first was a lovely point from Alan Walsh who scored with his first touch having just been introduced. Shortly afterwards, a dangerously dropping ball from the stick of David Kelly found its way to the net after a mixup in the Kieran s defence. The boys weren t ready to greet the half-time whistle just yet however as Mikey Dwyer followed up a blistering run with a low bouncing shot which eluded the Kieran s keeper and ended up in the corner of the net, leaving the score 2-03 to 0-4 at half

16 time. The second half began with both teams trading points as two fine Kieran s points were cancelled out by efforts from David Kelly and Willie Tracy. Ten minutes into the second half it looked like Good Counsel were beginning to assert themselves on the game as points from Daire Barden, Pat Lyng, Willie Tracy and David Kelly gave them a commanding nine point lead with fifteen minutes remaining, 2-9 to 0-6. Despite the score line, there was very little between the teams and St. Kieran s showed their pedigree as they began to fight their way back into the game. The Kilkenny side scored two goals and three points without reply and seemed to have all the momentum approaching the closing stages. With the game level at 2-9 a piece, the final minutes were fiercely contested and Good Counsel s defence made some crucial interceptions and clearances to keep the resurgent St. Kieran s at bay. A little over a minute from the end Good Counsel were awarded a free and an opportunity to clinch the title. Corner forward David Kelly stepped up and showed nerves of steel to land what turned out to be the winning score. On a dull day in Thomastown, Good Counsel s vocal supporters added plenty of colour and atmosphere to the occasion and the celebrations at the final whistle were fantastic. There was little to separate the teams in terms of skill and ability but the Good Counsel team outfought their opponents and showed great bravery to claim the cup. A lot of credit must go to their mentors, Declan Wall and Mick Purcell, who put a lot of time and effort into preparing the boys since returning in September. Well done to all involved for providing another great sporting memory and achievement for Good Counsel College. Good Counsel Colege: Jack Dunne, Sean Barden, Donngh O Connor, Dylan Kehoe, Pat Lyng, Darragh Joyce, Ian Carthy, Daire Barden, Stephen Stafford, Mikey Dwyer, Willie Tracy, Adam Mansfield, David Kelly, Bob Whitty, Jason Dunne, Alan Walsh, Darragh Brennan, Stephen O Gorman, Dean Croke, Shane Doyle, Joe Sutton, Andy Walsh, Eoin Higgins, Ciaran O Connor, Darragh Lyons, Conor Duggan, James Tobain, Liam Barron, Sean Dowling, Craig Murphy, Peter Aspel, Shane Ryan, Maurice Fitzgerald.

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