Razor-sharp St Raphael’s pull off a stunning All-Ireland win
St. Raphael’s College 1-18
Castlecomer CS 1-14
Raphael’s of Loughrea confounded the doubters when producing a sublime performance to overthrow a fancied Castlecomer Community School of Kilkenny to claim the Paddy Buggy Cup at O’Connor Park, Tullamore last Saturday.
As All-Ireland Post Primary Schools senior ‘B’ hurling finals went, this ranked up there with the best. It was a final sprinkled with skill, movement and youthful endeavour and for whoever triumphed in this environment, it was going to be a victory to remember.
On numerous occasions in the contest, there were passages of play to marvel at and two players who were never far from the centre of it were player of the match and captain Adrian Prendergast, who finished with seven points, four from play, and centre-half back Evan Cox.
Whenever they came into possession, the dynamics of the game would swing ever so slightly in Raphael’s favour and, sensing the shift, the whole St. Raphael’s team would respond. From a Galway perspective, it was a joy to behold.
In the early stages though, it was Castlecomer CS that came out all guns blazing. Jack Morrissy pointed after just 15 seconds and when Ciaran Cooney added a point shortly after, it looked as if the Leinster champions might blow the St. Raphael’s challenge to smithereens. Not so.
St. Raphael’s settled with points from the impressive Sean Connaughton (free and 65) and Prendergast (two super scores from play and one from a free) to ensure after 18 minutes the sides were level at 0-5 apiece — lively wing-forward Jack Buggy hitting Castlecomer’s other three points from placed balls.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.