*Photograph: John Sheridan
ENNISTYMON CBS have been defeated in the All-Ireland PPS Senior C hurling final.
Coláiste Naomh Cormac 2-11
Ennistymon CBS 1-12
Venue: St Michael’s Park, Toomevara
Offaly side, Coláiste Naomh Cormac responded excellently to the dismissal of centre forward Richard Bracken and hit 1-01 without reply at the conclusion of the decider to claim the Michael Cusack Cup.
Level entering the final ten minutes, the sending off of Bracken appeared from the outset that it might edge the advantage towards Ennistymon CBS. They nudged in front with Mac Dara O’Keeffe nabbing a breaking ball from a Josh Guyler free to make it 1-11 1-10 and on the next attack, Niall Mullins produced an excellent pass to Guyler who made no mistake with his effort.
Now holding the most dangerous lead in the game, Ennistymon CBS were thankful to Ciaran Daniels for denying CNC a goal but this reprieve lasted seconds with a cross-field ball collected by Alex Kavanagh and buried to the roof of the net as he collected his second goal.
No further chance materialised for the North Clare school, largely in part to a robust Coláiste Naomh Cormac defence who emerged with every single breaking ball from here on in and it would result in Daniel Hand pointing from his own 65 to secure the spoils for the Midlands school who were coached by Smith O’Briens manager Tony Gleeson.
Unfortunately for Ennistymon CBS, it means they have lost All-Ireland titles in both codes in the space of seven days, their glory at provincial level ensures that a certain gloss of positivity will remain on their campaign.
On this occasion, Ricky Wynne, Marc O’Loughlin, Niall Mullins and Mac Dara O’Keeffe stood out for the Clare side who are managed by Jason Daffy and Tara Rynne.
