Hurley leads Schull to Munster final

St Patrick’s CS 1 

Schull CC 6

KEVIN O’BRIEN REPORTS

CORK City’s U19 Player of the Year Ronan Hurley bagged a brace as Schull Community College booked their place in the final of the Munster John Murphy Cup (U19).

The West Cork school – managed by Stephen Murray – has set-up a Munster final meeting with St Joseph’s, Spanish Point of Clare following a comprehensive semi-final win over St Patrick’s Castleisland in Tralee last Friday.

Schull, playing with a very strong breeze in the first half, took the lead after just six minutes when captain Ronan Hurley played a neat one-two with Danny McSweeney before tucking his left-footed effort through the legs of the goalkeeper to give his side an early lead. 

Ten minutes in, Schull bagged a second goal when Danny McSweeney’s left-footed drive from distance found the bottom right corner to double the visitor’s advantage.

With Ronan Hurley and Kieran Roycroft bossing midfield, Schull were in control.

Castleisland were creating half chances but were caught on the counter each time and one such attack on 27 minutes was punished as James O’Reilly delivered a pin-point pass to striker Killian O’Brien on the right and made no mistake in tucking his effort into the left corner. 

There was no let-up from Schull and with five minutes to play before the break they got their fourth. A near-post Danny McSweeney corner from the right was cleverly flicked on by Scott O’Meara, and Kieran Roycroft was there to tap home the rebound to a Keith O’Sullivan diving header blocked on the line. Schull were in charge, leading 4-0 at the break. 

Castleisland were keen to make use of the strong wind in the second half and started off brightly, pulling a goal back from a corner. But a red card for the Kerry school all but ended their slim hopes of a comeback, and it got worse for the home side when Schull made it 5-1 when Danny McSweeney scored his second goal of the game.

With the last attack of the game Schull grabbed a sixth when a Kevin O’Brien corner found Ronan Hurley on the edge of the box and he drove a left-footed shot into the top left corner to bag a brace for the City star. Schull CC now meet St Joseph’s in the Munster final later this month, provisionally scheduled for Monday, January 22nd.

Schull CC: Oisin Barrett, Sam Coughlan, Thomas Arnold, Keith O’Sullivan, Cian Bowen, Kieran Roycroft, Ronan Hurley, Scott O’Meara, James O’Reilly, Danny McSweeney, Killian O’Brien.

Subs: Jack Long for Thomas Arnold, Aidan McCarthy for James O’Reilly, Jack Regan for Scott O’Meara, Kevin O’Brien for Killian O’Brien.