Congrats Ardscoil

rok

Hadnt seen this mentioned here even though I know there are a few past + present Ardscoil students here. Congrats Ardscoil! Good to see plenty of Na Piarsaigh on the team too.



http://www.limerickleader.ie/sport/Historic-first-title-for-Ardscoil.4762202.jp

Historic first title for Ardscoil hurlers

By Jerome O'Connell
Clarecastle
Ardscoil Ris 1-9
St Flannans 1-7
A FIRST ever and well deserved Dean Ryan title for Ardscoil Ris.
This was a Munster under-16 1/2 A hurling championship won against all the odds.

The North Circular Road secondary school did lead 1-4 to 0-5 at half time, but had to play againstADVERTISEMENTthe strong wind in the second half with just 14-men.

The Limerick side rolled up their sleeves and produced a gutsy second 30 minutes worthy of the historic win.

This was Ardscoil's first ever title at the top level in Munster colleges hurling and a first Dean Ryan title for Limerick since Limerick CBS in 1968. Indeed this was the first provincial 'A' title to be won by any Limerick side since Sexton Street's Dr Harty Cup success of 1994.

Hundreds of Ardscoil Ris pupils and supporters greeted the final whistle with rapturous celebrations and it was some time before captain Declan Hannon made his way forward to lift the impressive trophy for a team managed by teachers; Liam Kennedy (Na Piarsaigh) and Niall Moran (Ahane).

The win was revenge for Ardscoil's defeat at the hands of the Ennis school in the Dean Ryan final of 2005, when 'Flannan's scored a late winning goal.

Underfoot conditions were good in Clarecastle's superb facility but the final wasn't spared by the conditions with an icy wind and sporadic driving rain.

Underdogs Ardscoil Ris played with the wind in the opening half and got the perfect start of a goal inside 30 seconds.

Ronan Kirby delivered goalwards and Shane Dowling was out in front.
The Na Piarsaigh man rounded his marker and conscious of a potential hook, he shortened his hurley to bat the sliothar to the net for a well-finished goal.

Three minutes later Mark Ryan fired over a great point from 50 metres and Ardscoil looked on their way.

Frees from Hannon and Dowling had the eventual winners 1-3 to 0-1 ahead by the 10th minute.

Alas, almost 20 minutes would then lapse before their next score.
By the 24th minute, their wides tally had reached seven for the half and St Flannan's had hit four successive scores to leave the minimum between the teams, 1-3 to 0-5.

Four minutes from the interval disaster struck for Ardscoil Ris.
Possession was delivered long into the goalmouth where Mark Ryan waited.

The Na Piarsaigh teenager attempted to double on the sliothar but when the ball appeared to get caught up in the wind, Ryan connected with his marker.

It appeared harsh, but Ryan was shown a straight red card.
Rattled, but captain Hannon steadied his side with a free before they headed for the half time dressing room with a two point lead.
Ardscoil Ris regrouped at the break and got their attitude and tactics spot-on for the second period.

Hannon was dropped back to cover in front of the full back line and Dowling was moved onto the half forward line.

They were also helped when a heavy half time shower of rain appeared to dampen the wind somewhat.

Dowling and Hannon worked a clever free to open the scoring and when Dowling pointed with a free, all in the fine attendance knew that the Limerick side meant business.

It was backs to the wall stuff but the defence held out gamely, with Sean O'Connor leading the way from full back.
When Dowling lifted the siege in the 45th minute, Ardscoil were 1-8 to 0-6 ahead entering the final quarter.

The momentum could have swung the way of the Claremen, but David Sheppard pulled off a great save at his near post and such was the intense pressure the wides started to mount for St Flannans.
Three minutes from time Brendan O'Connor got the final Ardscoil point, but there was still time for Rory Halpin to notch an injury time consolation goal for St Flannans.

Ardscoil Ris: David Sheppard (Na Piarsaigh); Fergal Carey (Crecora), Sean O'Connor (Meelick), Shane Crehan (O'Callaghan Mills); Alan Dempsey (Na Piarsaigh), PJ Hall (Adare), Kevin McNamara (Na Piarsaigh); Declan Hannon (Adare) 0-4 (3frees), Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge); Mark Ryan (Na Piarsaigh) 0-1, Brendan O'Connor (Croagh-Kilfinny) 0-1, Ciaran Keogh (Na Piarsaigh); Kevin O'Brien (Patrickswell), Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh) 1-3 (0-2frees), Ronan Kirby (Mungret). Subs: Michael Foley (Na Piarsaigh) for Ronan Kirby (19mins), Jodie Hannon for Kevin O'Brien (49mins).

St Flannan's: Eoin Enright; Rory Halpin 1-0, Gearoid O'Connell 0-1, Conor O'Loughlin; Alan O'Neill, Paul O'Flanagan, Damien Lafferty; Tony Kelly 0-2 (2frees), Jarlath Colleran; Ryan O'Neill, David Durack, Cathal Duggan 0-1; Michael O'Neill 0-2, Conor O'Gorman 0-1, Brian Clancy. Subs: Robbie O'Loughlin for Ryan O'Neill (h/t), Jack Browne for David Durack (48mins), Martin Melican for Brian Clancy (56mins).
Referee: Noel Cosgrave (Tipperary).

ninty9er

Indeed. Well done lads!

I'm sure the intercom has been the annoyance of teachers for 15 minutes for Bríd's congrats talk.

Limerick Dude

Fair Play.

highlydebased

ninty9er wrote: »

I'm sure the intercom has been the annoyance of teachers for 15 minutes for Bríd's congrats talk.

Sure was!!

Limerick Dude

ninty9er wrote: »

I'm sure the intercom has been the annoyance of teachers for 15 minutes for Bríd's congrats talk.

Haha ah memories!!!

Insect Overlord

Limerick Dude wrote: »

Haha ah memories!!!

She could talk the hind legs off a donkey when she had somebody's arse to kiss work to congratulate! I'm sure she did a 25 minute "announcement" once...

Congrats to the hurlers, I know a few of the Na Piarsaigh lads pretty well and they really are a talented group. Mark Ryan is a sound young man, that red card offense sounds like an awful error rather than any malicious intent.