Castletroy College edged out in Munster ‘B’ Hurling final by Hamilton Highschool Bandon

Hamilton Highschool Bandon 3-12
Castletroy College 0-20
(after extra-time)

By Tom Clancy in Kildorrery GAA Grounds

A trilling Munster ‘B’ Hurling final between Castletroy College and Hamilton Highschool, Bandon, saw the Cork men inch over the line by just a point, after 80 minutes of hurling.

The Limerick side had done superbly to tie this contest in the regulation 60 minutes but were unable to capitalise on their possession in the extra-period. Indeed, they looked like forcing penalties, when hitting the last two points, but the clock beat them and Bandon held on.

The prize is the Corn Thomáis Mhic Choilm and an All-Ireland semi-final place, next month. Liam Reale’s Castletroy were heartbroken, but perhaps their inability to great any clearcut goal chance cost them an opportunity at glory.


Despite first-half goals from Micháel Maguire and Kevin Dart-O’Flynn, the Limerick side lead 0-12 to 2-5 at half-time. Their forwards were impressive with Matthew Fitzgerald, Robert O’Farrell, David Carr and Ben Hayes all on target.

But 25 second half minutes saw just a single O’Farrell free on the board during which time Bandon pulled four clear. Castletroy didn’t throw in the towel, with four points in the dying minutes levelling this game. The last of those, and perhaps most impressive came from Kildimo Pallaskenry man, O’Farrell, who nailed a long-range free to leave it 0-17 to 2-11 after 60 minutes of pulsating action.


But, a third goal, in the opening half of extra-time, again from Maguire did the damage. Despite holding Bandon scoreless in the second period, there was only two Castletroy points in this time, leaving them one short by the final whistle.

Scorers for Castletroy College: R O’Farrell 0-6 (4f); D Ferland 0-4 (3f); M Field 0-3; M Fitzgerald, C O’Duinn 0-2 each; B Hayes, W McCormack, D Carr 0-1 each.

Scorers for Hamilton Highschool Bandon: M Maguire 2-4; E O’Shea 0-5 (3 frees); K Dart-O’Flynn 1-0; R Crowley, N Kelly, C O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Castletroy College (Monaleen unless stated): Muiris O’Dalaigh, Jack Doyle, Darragh Clifford, Tom McCarthy; Sean McKeon, Darragh Langan ©, Cian Scully; Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Conall O’Duinn; Will McCormack (Ahane), Ben Hayes, Matthew Fitzgerald; Dara Ferland, Mark Field, David Carr (Ahane)

Subs: Tom D’Arcy for Scully (blood 44-46); Luke Ryan for Carr (54); Darragh Humphrires for McCormack (58); Tom D’Arcy for McKewon (74).

Hamilton Highschool Bandon: Aaron White (Valley Rovers); Fionn Ustianowski (Kilbrittain); Charlie O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers), Jack Cullinane (Bandon); Kevin Dart-O’Flynn (Valley Rovers), Cian Johnson (Valley Rovers), Séan Ahern (Bandon); Ronan Crowley (Kilbrittain), Niall Kelly (Newcestown); Darragh McCarthy (St. Oliver Plunketts), Eoin Guinane (Valley Rovers), Evan O’Shea (Valley Rovers); Michéal Maguire (Courcey Rovers); Conor O’Sullivan ©; Jonathan O’Leary (Valley Rovers).

Subs: Sean McEntee (Valley Rovers) for McCarthy (42); Josh Woods (Valley Rovers) for O’Leary (47); Harry O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers) for Crowley (54); James Burrows (Newcestown) for Ahern (75).

Referee: Sean Everard (Tipperary)