2nd Year Girls Basketball

Scoil Ruáin second year girls are through to South East final Tuesday 20th after defeating Loreto Clonmel 51-33.

Team: Carlie O’Donohue 2pts; Rachel Butler; Issy Hayden 17pts; Anna Prendergast 4pts; Erin O’Brien 2pts; Niamh Hayes 7pts; Robyn Horan 3pts; Emily Ryan 6pts; Ava Heffernan 2pts; Siobhan O’Hanlon 6pts; Brona Swift; Jessica Strappe 2pts.

Munster Post Primary Schools Under 15 C Hurling Championship Round 2

Scoil Ruáin, Killenaule                                            6-07

Gaelcholáiste an Phiarsaigh, Gleann Maghair     2-10

If ever a game of hurling proved the old adage that goals win matches, it was this exciting game played in Goatenbridge on Friday last. All credit to the Ballybacon-Grange club for allowing the game to be played after recent adverse weather conditions and for the state of the pitch which was in remarkable condition all considered.

This game started in similar fashion to our first round against Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea, with Scoil Ruáin slow to settle into their rhythm. Cillian Mac Cárthaigh and Odhrán Ó Riagáin were dominant around the centre for Coláiste an Phiarsaigh and their half back line were in control in the first quarter. Centre back, Ruairí Ó hAirtnéid, opened the scoring with a fine point after a solo run through the middle. Slick inter-passing among the forwards drew fouls from the Scoil Ruáin defence which were punished by the unerring Darragh Ó Longáin from placed balls. After 15 minutes they had raced into a 5 points to one lead and appeared the more polished side.

Slowly the Mullinahone partnership of Josh Rowan and Dylan Webster began to get a grip at midfield, Dylan pointing a free to reduce the deficit. The introduction of young Johnny Gleeson at wing forward payed immediate dividends as he was instrumental in setting up a point for Louie Doyle and a goal for man-of the-match, Darragh Maher.

Direct ball into the full forward line was having the desired effect with Maher bagging his second goal shortly afterwards to leave Coláiste an Phiarsaigh reeling. They fought back with a point from play from Ben Ó Luain and two more frees from Ó Longáin before Louie Doyle netted close to half-time to give the South Tipp school a scarcely deserved 5 point cushion at the break, 3-04 to 0-08.

Scoil Ruáin continued to have the edge in the second half with the defence dogged and determined for every ball. Cian Johnson-Croke did an excellent policing job on Coláiste dangerman, Darragh Ó Longáin, while Rian O’Halloran was giving a master-class in playing the role of sweeper.

Darragh Maher opened the second half scoring with a delightful point from a difficult angle and soon afterwards completed his hat-trick with a powerful shot to the net after being put through by a deft pass from Louie Doyle. An excellent save from Coláiste goalkeeper, resulted in a ’65 which Dylan Webster pointed. Further Scoil Ruáin pressure yielded another goal for Doyle when he reacted fastest to a breaking ball in front of goal to flick one-handed to net.

Coláiste replied with two pointed frees from Ó Longán but they were facing an increasingly uphill battle. Darragh Maher stretched the Scoil Ruáin lead to 10 points with another nice point but Coláiste would not give up. A top-class save from Liam Miskella in the Killenaule goal denied them what appeared to be a certain goal. Despite this, they scored two goals in quick succession in the last 5 minutes, the first finished to the net by Euan Mac Einrí after great work by Shay Ó Buacháin. Darragh Ó Longáin scored the second with a blistering shot to the top corner but it was soon cancelled out by Darragh Maher’s fourth of the day, leaving the final score, 6-07 to 2-10.

This was a gutsy performance from the Scoil Ruáin team in which every one of the 18 players used on the day put his shoulder to the wheel. Liam Miskella was solid goal and his puck outs have improved considerably in recent weeks. Luke Fox and Daniel Bourke were solid in the inside line of defence while injury impaired David Lanigan’s contribution. Substitute and fellow-clubman, Shane Phelan, acquitted himself well in the second half. Diarmuid White grew in stature as the game progressed, his physical presence at the heart of the defence a big plus for his side. Cian Johnson –Croke played a vital role as stated earlier, his pace enabling him to curb the threat of Darragh Ó Longáin very effectively. Ben Doheny was solid on the other wing, though troubled at times by the pace of the opposition’s attack. As already stated, sweeper Rian O’Halloran was outstanding in the role, making telling interceptions and clearances with a no-nonsense approach. After a sluggish start Josh Rowan and Dylan Webster impressed at midfield and provided the attack with ample ball, particularly in the second half.

The three players who started in the half forward line against Roscrea were unavailable for selection, meaning that three others got their chance. Great credit is due to Sean O’Dwyer who played his heart out against Coláiste’s strongest player on the forty. Michael Lanigan and C.J. Lawlor tried hard on the wings until replaced. Our full forward line of Louie Doyle and Darragh Maher again caused havoc, Darragh coming out on top in the scoring stakes on this occasion. All three substitutes vindicated their introduction with exemplary endeavor.

Scoil Ruáin now await the winners of St. Declan’s, Kilmacthomas and Douglas Community School in the Quarter Finals and will need to step it up a gear to make further progress in this competition. A worry for management is the reliance on Maher and Doyle for scores.