The combined forces of The Presentation College and The Gaelcholaiste are proving to be a formidable outfit on the Carlow schools hurling scene as they swept all before them at the recent Domhnall English-Hayden Memorial Tournament at the Fenagh GAA grounds. As the end of March seems to have swapped with the end May, all involved were excited for a day of hurling in Mediterranean conditions. The tournament was played under the Fenway classic rules, which comprises of a shortened pitch and 11 players on each team. It requires teams to play smart possession hurling. Solo running is prohibited as is the scoring of points.

Unfamiliarity with the rules was evident in the early games as scores were proving hard to come by. A well taken goal by Paul Fitzgerald after being set up by Jack Ralph was all that separated The Presentation from Carlow CBS in their opening game. The remaining two fixtures in the group stage pitted The Presentation against Borris Vocational School and Knockbeg College. Goals from the usual suspects Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Oisin Pagnier and Terry French ensured comfortable victories and a place in the day’s A Final.

The Askea lads watched the B Final as talk began among the crowd as to who would claim the tournament’s main prize. Borris provided the opposition and gave a good account of themselves as their first touch and striking was of the highest standard. However, the lads from Mount-Leinster could not match the intensity and athleticism of a team determined to build on their recent Carlow Championship success. The excellent Lee Carpenter lead the team from mid-field to a 4:0 victory which saw sharp-shooter Paul Fitzgerald record a sublime hat-trick. The other goal coming from the stick of team captain Shane Duffy.

A big talking point from the day was the performances of The Presentation’s young shot-stopper Conor Treacy as he amazingly never conceded a goal in any of the four games. He displays all the skills and bravery required for the position and is surely a future Carlow number 1. He is of course helped by his Setanta club mate David Iacob who is a commanding presence on the edge of the square. “Hell’s Kitchen” was a name given to the All-Ireland winning Tipperary full-back line of the 1960’s. Iacob and his colleagues are starting to garner a similar reputation.

By David O’Mahoney.

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). 22. Jay Barcoe. 23. Tristan Mac an Tsaoi (GC). 24. Jonah Webb (GC). 25. James Cranny.

(Photo: Hurlers with Trainer Mr O’Mahony and Principal Mr Murray)