Hazelwood College- Munster Hurling Champions for 2nd Year Running
On Wednesday last a determined Hazelwood College first year Hurling team set out to meet Clonakilty in the final of the Munster Championship in Millstreet. This was the third year in a row that the school made it to the final and the boys were hoping to make it two victories in a row and to get revenge for the 2003 final where they were defeated by Clonakilty. It was a hard fought match to the final whistle with neither side willing to give up without a fight.
Clonakilty settled quicker into the game and dominated most of the play in the first half. Hazelwood were feeling the loss of Patrick O Regan who had broken his hand in the previous match. But while Clonakilty tried hard they had a lot of wides and Hazelwood were lucky only to be down by two points at half time.
Some changes were made in the second half with Tadgh O Flynn being brought out to centre field and Stephan Kiely was moved to full back. This made a great difference and strong defending brought Hazelwood back into the game. They dominated play for the first ten minutes of the second half. It took Clonakility some time to recover but they regained their lead with a goal. At this stage captain Jamie Coughlan was moved to Corner Forward and he quickly put two goals into the back of the Clonakilty net. Jamies 2nd goal was sheer class as he rounded two players and scored a goal from 30 yards out. In the last three minutes Hazelwood turned up the heat on the Clonakilty side and pushed them out of contention. After a tough match between two determined sides Hazelwood were once again crowned the Munster Champions on a scoreline of 3-9 to 2-5.There were great scenes as Jamie Coughlan from Newtownshandrum accepted the cup on behalf of his team.
Best for Hazelwood College were Tadgh O Flynn, Padraig Nolan, Peter Irwin and Jamie Coughlan who was also man of the match.
Hazelwood College Team:
Darren Coleman, Stephan Kiely, Tadgh O Flynn, William Fitzgerald, Laurence Clarson, Padraig Cunningham, Tadgh Buckley, Jamie Coughlan, Peter Irwin, Ian Carroll, Padraig Nolan, Brian Hannigan, Timmy Carroll, Michael Brosnan, Peter Kirwin. Subs: Joe Bergin, Padraig Lane, Michael Brosnan, Paul Lucey, Damien O Riordan, Christopher Moxey, Liam Mulcahy, Colm Sheehy, Darren Sweeney, Conor Buckley, Paul Cantillon, Kevin O Callaghan, Stephan O Toole, Finbarr Fehin, Thomas O Sullivan, Seamus Sheehan, Patrick O Regan and Kieran Dore.
Picture 1 shows the Hazelwood College First Year Hurling Team who defeated Clonakilty in the final of the Munster Hurling Competition.
Picture 2 shows team captain Jamie Coughlan accepting the Munster Cup from Sean Cooney on behalf of his team
Picture 3 shows the team celebrating after the match with coach Mr Cregan and a group of parents who travelled to Millstreet to support the boys
Click on images to enlarge
