Our Junior hurlers run in the School’s Championship has come to an end with defeat at the hands of Knockbeg College in the Carlow C1 final. Having faced the same opposition two weeks ago with a missed penalty in the dying seconds denying us a victory, hopes were high of reversing the defeat suffered in the final twelve months ago.

 In a game similar to last year’s decider, the first half was a tense affair with little to choose between the sides. Knockbeg signalled their attacking intent early on with the placement of Laois native Ian Shanahan at the edge of the square. However, he was well marshalled throughout by the impressive Jack Dunne at full back. Andrew Murphy and Pádraig Thompson worked hard in the first half to supply our forwards with quality ball and we were rewarded inside five minutes with a clinical score from wing forward Mark Fitzgerald. Arduous work from our inside line of Josh Hughes and Stephen Lacey tested the Knockbeg full back-line and were unlucky not to manufacture further scores. Indeed a bullet from Lacey drew a fine save from the Knockbeg No. 1 as the half drew to a close.

Trailing 0-5 to 0-1 at the interval our boys needed to start the second half strongly but unfortunately it was Knockbeg who kicked on and fired in the first of two goals inside the opening minutes. The Pres responded with two well taken frees to keep the contest alive but that was as good as it got. Pressure continued to mount but to their credit the backs held firm, in particular the tenacious David Jacob at corner back who was immense throughout. A special mention must also go to First Year student Conor Treacy who pulled off incredible saves when goals looked a certainty. The Setanta shot stopper has been a revelation for the Pres in goal this year. 

Despite another final defeat, hurling is certainly on the rise in the school as comprehensive victories were secured in the C1 blitz against CBS, Tullow CS and Hacketstown with Second Year students Oisin Pagnier, Paul Fitzgerald and Terry French scoring heavily on the day. Attention will now turn to the senior hurling finals which are due to be played after the Halloween break.