2019 / 2020 Dean Ryan Cup (Under 16.5 A Hurling) Final – Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy 0-14 Ardscoil Rís Limerick 1-10

2019 / 2020 Dean Ryan Cup Under 16.5 A Hurling Final

Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy 0-14 Ardscoil Rís Limerick 1-10

Report by Ed Donnelly

Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy came from behind to defeat Ardscoil Rís Limerick by 0-14 to 1-10 in the Dean Ryan Cup Under 16 ½ A Hurling Final on Friday October 25th at Kilmallock.

Played in wet conditions with rain falling throughout the hour, both teams gave of their all in terms of skill and commitment with every ball being fought for with gusto and determination. St. Colmans Fermoy were marginal favourites having not conceded a goal in the competition as they qualified for the final. However, Ardscoil Rís soon put paid to that particular statistic when from the throw-in, Jack Golden gathered possession and set off on a long run before passing to Patrick O’Neill who found the net for an immediate lead for the Limerick school. Shane O’Brien and Niall O’Farrell (free) followed with points and after four minutes, Ardscoil Rís led by 1-2 to 0-0.

St. Colmans opened their account in the fifth minute with a point from play by Dan Roche and slowly but surely, got their way back in to the game. While Niall O’Farrell pointed a free for Ardscoil Rís in the seventh minute to restore their five point lead, the Limerick school would then go 16 minutes without a score. St. Colmans would go on to score five unanswered points from Dan Roche (4) and Edmond Cashman and the sides were level after 20 minutes of play, 1-3 to 0-6.

Dylan Lynch restored the lead for Ardscoil Rís with a point from play before Colmans took the lead for the first time with points from Dan Roche and Ben Nodwell after 28 minutes. This lead was short-lived as Ardscoil Rís got the last score of the opening half with a point from play by Patrick O’Neill to leave the half-time score at Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy 0-8 Ardscoil Rís Limerick 1-5.

While conditions continued to get worse early in the second half, this only increased the intensity which both schools brought to the fray with hooks and blocks galore during a gripping encounter. As happened in the opening half, Ardscoil Ris started the second half the stronger side and added points from Niall O’Farrell (free) and Dylan Lynch to lead by 1-7 to 0-8 after 32 minutes before Dan Roche replied a minute later with a pointed free. The next 13 minutes failed to produce a score but the intensity levels if anything were increased with hip to hip, tough hurling being the order of the day as the sizeable attendance enjoyed the fare.

As the game entered the final quarter, Niall O’Farrell restored the two point lead for Ardscoil Ris with a pointed free and looked likely winners the way the game was going with scores at a premium. St. Colmans were struggling to score from play in the second half and relied on the excellent free taking of Dan Roche who added four pointed frees in a ten minute period. The Ardscoil Ris forwards were now relying on limited possession but Shane O’Brien managed to score two excellent points from play in the 50th and 55th minute and as the game entered the final stages, the sides were level.

With a draw looking a likely result, there was still time for one further score when Ben Nyhan won possession and despite being under pressure, scored a St. Colmans point from play in the 58th minute. Ardscoil Ris had one final attack to secure a share of the spoils but the St. Colmans defence held out to record a hard earned one point victory.

During the game, St. Colmans would only lead for two minutes at the end of the first half and the final two minutes. But there is only time where being in front counts and that’s at the final whistle. Well done to both schools for producing an excellent display of hurling in difficult conditions.

Afterwards, Munster GAA Post Primary Schools Chairman Colm Hayes presented the Dean Ryan Cup to St. Colmans captain Ben Nodwell.

St. Colmans Fermoy: Colm McCarthy; Luke Carey, Conor Hazlewood, David Barry; Kyle Wallace, Adam Walsh, Cillian Fitzpatrick; Gearoid O’Brien, Cillian Tobin; Ben Nyhan (0-1), Dan Roche (0-11, 0-8 frees), Michael O’Driscoll; Ben Nodwell (Captain, 0-1), Edmond Cashman (0-1), Brendan Lehane
Sub: Roan O’Riordan for Lehane (57th minute)

Ardscoil Ris: Séimi Gully; Brian O’Keeffe, John Fitzgerald, Colm Flynn; Joseph James Carey, Vince Harrington, Cian Scully; Dylan Lynch (0-2), Wayne Kearns; Riain O’Byrne, Niall O’Farrell (0-4 frees), Jack Golden; Patrick O’Neill (1-1), David Kennedy, Shane O’Brien (0-3)
Sub: Dara Casey for O’Byrne (55th minute)

Referee: Noel Cosgrove (Tipperary)

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Match Preview

Two of the more successful Hurling schools of recent times will face off in this year’s Dean Ryan Cup Final when St. Colmans Fermoy take on Ardscoil Rís Limerick.

St. Colmans were last champions in 2017, requiring a replay to get the better of Thurles CBS on that occasion, their 12th title in all. While Ardscoil Rís Limerick have been Dean Ryan Cup champions on two occasions, in 2009 and more recently in 2016, getting the better of Waterford’s De La Salle in the Final.

Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy have been arguably the more impressive during their three match campaign to date, averaging 2-21 while yet to concede a goal. Their toughest game came in the Quarter-Final when they saw off last year’s finalits De La Salle with six points to spare after the Waterford school had dispatched the defending champions Thurles CBS in the opening round.

Ardscoil Rís Limerick on the other hand have also been prolific up front, averaging 2-22 in their wins over St. Francis College Rochestown and St. Flannans. The Limerick school have also conceded a couple of goals in each game and will look to tighten up in defence for this eagerly awaited Final.

A large crowd is expected to Fitzgerald Park Kilmallock on Friday as the cream of underage hurling in Munster is put on show with a number of potential 2020 County Minors on show.

Noel Cosgrove (Marlfield) will be the referee.

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Paths to the Final

Semi-Final – Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy 2-26 CBS Midleton 0-10 – Match Report
Semi-Final – Ardscoil Rís Limerick 2-18 St. Flannans 2-11
Quarter-Final – Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy 2-19 De La Salle College Waterford 0-19
Quarter-Final – CBS Midleton 0-17 Christian Brothers College, Cork 0-12
Quarter-Final – Árdscoil Rís Limerick 2-26 St. Francis College Rochestown 2-7
Quarter-Final – St Flannans 2-10 Gaelcholáiste Mhuire an Mhainistir Thuaigh 1-11 – Match Report
Round 1 – CBS Midleton 4-23 Nenagh CBS 4-11
Round 1 – Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy 2-19 Árdscoil Uí Urmaltaigh Bandon 0-9
Round 1 – De La Salle College Waterford 2-15 Thurles CBS 1-10

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What Happens Next?

The winner of the 2019 / 2020 Dean Ryan Cup Final will represent Munster and play the Connacht Champions in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on November 16th. The Leinster Champions await the Semi-Finals winners in the All-Ireland Final on November 30th.

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Dean Ryan Cup Roll of Honour

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