Major congrats to our U17 hurlers who were crowned the Limerick Post Primary School u17 Hurling champions. Our u17 headed for a sun-drenched Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale today to contest the Limerick PPS u17 final against Scoil Pol.
The sweltering heat and glorious sunshine was a far cry from the conditions faced by this team in our early rounds of this competition. Causeway started the game brightly with early scores from Evan O'Sullivan and Ivan Conway settling the team down. At the back Aidan Mahony and Reece O'Connor both made numerous blocks and tackles and ensured that any scores for the Limerick side were hard-earned. This early period of dominance was short lived and soon both teams were trading scores with some real eye-catchers from both sides. Shortly before the interval Scott Sheehan took to the sky to superbly field a pinpoint Jevon Carey puckout, Scott then showed a real turn of pace before picking out the ever dangerous Ivan Conway who unselfishly found full-forward Matthew Flaherty with a precision pass and Matthew made no mistake in burying the sliotar past the goalkeeper. At the break it was Causeway who held a 2 point lead.
Having had the opportunity to take on some much needed hydration at the break Causeway once again sought to assert dominance on the game with Dylan Costello showing real quality in winning primary possession and hurting the opposition on the scoreboard. While Adam Lynch and John Curtin also chipped in with scores from out the field.
As the game entered its final quarter, the physical toll of the searing heat seemed to affect our lads as we gave up two goal chances which Scoil Pol took advantage of and narrowed to game to make it a single score game going down the stretch. A turnover in the midfield lead to another free for the Kilfinnane men and with no other option their talismanic No.14 stepped up and found a tiny pocket of the Causeway net which was left unguarded and forced the game to extra time with the last puck.
Despite the sucker punch of conceding a late goal in such frustrating fashion, this group of players, who have never been ones to shy away from doing things the hard way seemed to relish the opportunity to go to war for another 20 minutes in the ever intensifying furnace of Mick Neville Park.
The message to the players was simple, stick to the process, trust each other and work hard. To a man, they carried out their instructions to the letter and in the first period of extra-time it seemed that the plan was working. Jake Segal was dominant in midfield while captain Ivan Conway seemed to emerge from every ruck with the ball in his hand and with every drive and score he hit from midfield it seemed to drain our opponents.
The second half of extra-time proved to be a real period of dominance for the Causeway lads who miraculously showed no signs of fatigue. This was exemplified by John Curtin who snapped a ball in his centre-back position, went on a solo-run right down the throat of the Limerick men who were left sprawling in his wake as he weaved his magic over and between them before splitting the posts from 45 metres, a real inspirational score which would be worthy of settling any game. Evan O'Connor and Ivan Conway tacked on further points to put the result beyond doubt. When the final whistle went the mixture of ecstasy, exhaustion and relief were palpable and as Ivan Conway accepted the JJ Kennelly cup on behalf of his teammates, one could not help but be in admiration of this teams willingness to never give up.
On behalf of the management we would like to place on record our thanks to the players who have been a pleasure to work with and have given everything asked of them. This victory is a testament to the work you all have put in. Their parents for their commitment and support in bringing the lads to and from training as well as being so vocal in their support on the line today. We would also like to acknowledge the Limerick County Board, in particular PRO Eamonn Phelan and the Limerick schools who have opened the door for us to enter these Limerick PPS competitions and allowed us to compete with some of the best hurling schools in the country.
For sure, a day to remember 🟢⚫️
Final Score: Causeway Comprehensive 1-32 Scoil Pol 4-18
Causeway Scorers:
Evan O'Sullivan 0-14
Ivan Conway 0-8
Dylan Costello 0-4
Matthew O'Flaherty 1-1
John Curtin 0-2
Adam Lynch 0-1
Scott Sheehan 0-1
Evan O'Connor 0-1