King Cup Final - CP Bheanntrai v Hospital CC

Tuesday 11th December 2012

Venue: Mahon 

Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai 14 - Hospital Community College 5

Twenty two teams started in this competition . It is fair to say that Bheanntrai would have been long odds to win this trophy before a ball was kicked, Just their first year in the competition they were unlucky to be beaten in the semi final last year. But they would have been an unknown quantity then. However this team got down to business from the start of the competition and defeating, Tralee, Tarbert , Killorglin, Waterpark (who were going for three in a row) and finally the day came when they had reached the final against Hospital Community College. This was an achievement in itself, but this team wanted more. Many of these players at club level, had tasted defeat last year in the South Munster cup final, and league semi final, this prize was not going to be given up easily.Carrying as it did much more prestige.

Bheanntrai kicked off with a gale at their backs. Sean McCarthy  gradually gave his team advantage with some excellent tactical kicking keeping the Hospital back three at full stretch and giving the Cork team field advantage after they had weathered some good attacks by Hospital backs and forwards.

Tremendous driving and rucking brought Bheanntrai into the Hospital 22 and finally Mike Casey in an unstoppable drive by the forwards touched down for a fine try . Sean McCarthy added the points 7-0 to the Cork boys. The Limerick boys then staged a fight back and an excellent break out of defence was only stopped by a first class tackle by Eoghan McIlhenny which saved the  Bheanntrai line.

            Bheanntrai then took control of the game and attacked the opposition line . Great handling and passing saw Ian Hurley go in for a fine try after a sweeping back line move. Again Sean McCarthy kicked the all important conversion. 14-0 to Bheanntrai. They dominated play right up to the half time whistle, a ball went to ground when an overlap had been created, Mike Casey was held up three times as he drove over the line. The half time whistle blew, was the lead enough we wondered facing into a gale force wind?

Hospital came out all guns firing in the second half. This was a very well prepared team with good team skills and also fine runners in the back line.Their outhalf and wingers really stretched the Bheanntrai defence Their rolling maul was very well executed and they threw down the gauntlet to the Wesr Cork boys. After 10 minutes they took the ball through five phases and went in at the corner for a well taken try, they failed to add the points so it was 14-5 with twenty minutes to go.

Bheanntrai then went into the attack and great runs by Tadg McCarthy, Kevin Holland, and Liam Cronin, had the Limerick boys on the back foot. Then it was Bheanntrai”s turn to defend and it was here in the last quarter that the Cork boys showed their never say die spirit. Time and again Hospital tried to break down the defence and time and again they were driven back. Finally the full time whistle blew to end what was a remarkable hard fought game. Full credit to both sets of teams and mentors to produce what was a hard fought game played in a sporting manner.

Both sets of supporters drove their team on to the finish and it was hand shakes all round on the final whistle.

Bheanntrai ran out deserving winners creating more chances and defending with great skill and determination.

Mentors Eugene McCarthy, Sean Donegan, and Andre Polivka, can be proud of their team and the work that goes into preparing a cup side . Hospital Community School were a fine team well drilled competitive and sporting.

Tristan Coakley, Ciaran OSullivan, Shane Keevers, and Shane Shannon, were others to catch the eye but above all this was a team performance.

Bheanntrai now qualify to play in the Mungret Sheild and play St Clements of Limerick im the semi final of this competition so with one cup under their belt Bheanntrai march into the New Year in search of more honours.

Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai:

John Donegan, Ciaran OSullivan, Liam Cronin, Tristan Coakley ,Kevin Holland, Pat Casey, Ian Hurley, Mike Casey, Shane Keever,s Sean McCarthy, Pat Daly, Tadg McCarthy, Shane Shannon,, Tomas ODonovan, Eoghan McIlhenny, Fergal OSullivan, Aidan OSullivan, James Murphy, Tony Harrington, Fineen Wycherly, Killian OSullivan.