A combination of Under 14 Hurlers from The Presentation College and Gaelcholaiste were crowned Carlow hurling champions after comprehensive victories over Hacketstown and Carlow CBS on Tuesday March 18th. In perfect hurling conditions the tournament was held in Carlow Town Hurling Club and will live long in the memories of all involved.

The first match between The Presentation and Hacketstown was a tense affair heading into the break until a goal from full forward Shane Duffy put daylight between the sides. Out the field the Presentaion lads started to get on top with wing-back Sean Buggy in particular standing out with some fine catches and pin-point deliveries to the forwards. Scores came a bit easier in the second half with mid-fielders Lee Carpenter and Oisín Pagnier having a significant influence on the game as their team ran out eight point winners with fine scores coming from Paul Fitzgerald and Conal Fitzpatrick from The Gaelcholaiste.

The Presentation lads having secured a place in the final, relaxed in the sun as the CBS fought it out with Hacketstown for the other spot in the showpiece event. That game made for interesting viewing as the CBS ran riot securing a victory by over 20 points. Despite this the players in red remained confident of upsetting the odds as a desire and hunger for victory was clearly evident in the group prior to throw-in.

CBS got the better of the opening exchanges but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard as unfortunately for them they came up against a tough and organised defence well marshalled by the superb Conor Treacy who kept two clean sheets form the two games. In front of him, David Iacob looks a re-incarnation of legendary Cork full-back Diarmuid “Rock” O’Sullivan as he thunders into tackles and drives out with ball after ball. He was well supported by tight marking backs Jack Ó Beachain, Aaron Shanahan and Andre Carvalho who kept their men scoreless throughout the game.

In mid-field The Presentation are blessed with two players who wouldn’t look out of place on the athletics team as Carpenter and Pagnier constantly seem to be everywhere at once. They are the engine of the team and along Buggy and centre-back Alex Ó Dubhslaine play a smart brand of head-up hurling crucial for their positions.

Up-front Jack Ralph and John Ó Caidhin set the tone for hard work as they regularly turn-over the oppositions back six. Such a turn-over was crucial to the opening goal which was expertly

finished by the lively Terry French. Two further goals from Conor Duffy and Paul Fitzgerald saw the Presentation take an unexpected seven point lead at the break, 3.1 to 0.3.

It was more of the same in the second half as the CBS could not build any momentum to mount a comeback. Conal Fitzpatrick kept the scoreboard ticking over with some well taken points as The Presentation ran out convincing winners on a score-line of 4.5 to 0.5.

Report Submitted By: David O'Mahoney.

Photo: Presentation/Gaelcholaiste Team. (All players are from Presentaion College unless stated).

1. Conor Treacy, 2. Andre Carvalho, 3. David Iacob. 4. Aaron Shanahan. 5. Sean Buggy. 6. Alex Ó Dubhshlaine (GC) 7. Sean Ó Beacháin (GC). 8. Lee Carpenter. 9. Oisín Pagnier. 10. Paul Fitzgerald. 11. Conal Fitzpatrick (GC). 12. Jack Ralph. 13. Terry French. 14. Shane Duffy. 15. John Ó Caidhin (GC) 16. Mickey Maher. 17. Paul Grey. 18. Ross Ó Hanluain (GC) 19. Cian Ó Gormain (GC). 20. Andrew Vint (GC). 21. Cian Ó Riabaigh (GC).