TUS Corn Risteard Uí Mhathúna
St Joseph’s College Borrisoleigh v CBS Dungarvan
Friday January 30th, 1.00pm, Fethard Town Park
This Friday all roads lead to Fethard Town Park as St Joseph’s College Borrisoleigh and CBS Dungarvan go head to head in the Munster Under 19 C Hurling Final, a game that brings with it echoes of a memorable past and the promise of a compelling present.
The fixture is a rematch of the 2006 Munster final between the schools, a classic encounter in which a young Brendan Maher and Seamie Callanan were central figures. Almost two decades on, a new crop of young hurlers will take centre stage, many of them already familiar with success at intercounty minor level, and both schools will believe that the time is right to claim provincial honours.
On paper, this is a difficult game to call. Both sides arrive into the final on the back of impressive knockout victories, both have shown the ability to defend tightly while also producing big scorelines, particularly on all-weather surfaces, and both appear to be peaking at the right moment.
St Joseph’s College Borrisoleigh, the road to the final
St Joseph’s path to the Munster final has been built on consistency, depth and a strong group performance throughout the competition.
They were drawn in Group 1 alongside St Mary’s Newport, Presentation College Mardyke and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál Blarney. Joseph’s opened their campaign in emphatic fashion with a dominant win over Blarney, scoring heavily and laying down an early marker. They followed that up with a high-quality victory over Presentation College Mardyke, winning by 3-17 to 2-11 in Rathkeale.
Their final group game against St Mary’s Newport was a high-scoring affair, Newport running out winners by 4-14 to 1-23, but the result was enough to see both schools finish level on five points at the top of the group. Joseph’s advanced comfortably and carried strong form into the knockout stages.
In the quarter-final, they faced Borrisokane Community College and produced another assured display to win by 1-17 to 1-10 in Toomevara. The semi-final saw them take on Coláiste An Phiarsaigh Glanmire in Kilmallock, a game Joseph’s controlled from early on, emerging convincing winners on a 1-17 to 0-10 scoreline.
Across those games, their balance has stood out. Defensively, they have been well marshalled by county minor Daniel Groome, with Cormac Frend anchoring the corner. The work rate and physicality of the back six has been central to their run, with Silvermines man Mark Hoare delivering a man-of-the-match performance from wing back in the semi-final.
In midfield and attack, the influence of Templederry’s Micheál Collins has been immense. As captain, Collins has set the tone for everything good about this Joseph’s team, through relentless work rate, accurate free-taking and a range of long-distance scores. Fresh from eye-catching performances in the U21 championship at club level, his driving runs and leadership will again be crucial.
He is far from alone. The Ryan brothers Michael and Shane, Eoin Ryan and Cathal Kennedy, all from Borrisoleigh, are central to Joseph’s play, while the Toomevara pairing of Liam Hackett and Cody Quirke offer pace, movement and scoring threat across the full forward line. Joseph’s strength lies in their spread of scorers and their ability to sustain pressure for long periods.
CBS Dungarvan, the road to the final
CBS Dungarvan’s journey to the Munster final has been equally impressive and built on resilience through a competitive group and knockout campaign.
They were drawn in Group 4 with Presentation Ballingarry and Coláiste Iosaef Kilmallock. Dungarvan opened with a strong Round 1 win over Kilmallock, winning by 2-20 to 1-17 in Castlelyons. A setback followed in Round 3 when they were beaten by Presentation Ballingarry, 1-17 to 1-8, leaving qualification finely balanced.
Dungarvan responded well when it mattered. In the quarter-final, they edged Patrician Academy Mallow in a high-scoring contest, winning by 4-16 to 3-13 in Cappoquin. That result showcased their attacking ability and composure under pressure.
The semi-final saw them face Pobail Scoil na Tríonóide Youghal in Cappoquin, a game they controlled well to come through 1-16 to 2-11 winners. It was a disciplined performance, built on strong defensive structure and efficiency in front of goal.
Dungarvan boast several players with All-Ireland minor medals, notably Pierce Quann and Stephen Coffey from last year’s successful Waterford side. That experience has been evident in their performances, particularly in tight moments.
Key figures include centre forward Paddy McCarthy, an accomplished dual player whose physicality and link play make him a focal point of their attack. Full forward Micheál Tobin’s pinpoint free-taking has been a consistent source of scores, while Jack Mannix and Eoin Prendergast provide pace and threat from open play.
Match outlook
Fethard Town Park is expected to suit both teams, especially given recent weather conditions and both sides’ familiarity with all-weather surfaces. A high-scoring contest is very much on the cards.
Joseph’s will look to impose their work rate, defensive organisation and leadership through Micheál Collins, while Dungarvan will aim to use their directness, physical presence and free-taking accuracy to keep the scoreboard ticking.
With both teams having All-Ireland minor winners in their ranks, strong semi-final form and genuine belief, this Munster final has all the ingredients to go down to the wire.
St Joseph’s College have previously lifted the Munster C title in 1993 and 1995, and they will be hoping to bridge that long gap and kick-start what could be a memorable weekend of hurling for North Tipperary. CBS Dungarvan, meanwhile, arrive determined to deny them and add another provincial success to their school’s proud tradition.
Throw-in is at 1.00pm on Friday, January 30th, and if the evidence of the campaign so far is anything to go by, this final should deliver.