Charleville re wrote the Clubs History Books again yesterday in Mallow when they were crowned Munster Junior Hurling Champions for the first time in their History. They overcame a very strong Cappomore side from Limerick on a final scoreline of 3-15 to 2-8.A 15 min spell in the Second half were Charleville upped their performance and surged ahead to a comfortable win.
The final scoreline, does scant justice to the efforts of the Cappamore side ,As with only 13 minutes to go there were just two points between the teams, Charleville ahead 1-9 to 1-7, the Cork side’s young attackers — James O’Brien, Andrew Cagney, Derry Murphy and Mark Kavanagh — all to the fore.
From the outset this was an extremely tight and tough contest with the sides trading early points before James O’Brien rounded Cappamore and coolly slotted home from a narrow angle, putting his side 1-3 to 0-2 ahead after 12 minutes.
Points from wing-back Brendan Dennehy and midfielder Daniel O’Flynn extended the Charleville lead and it looked ominous for Cappamore. A superb overhead pass from The Cappamore full-forward sent a bullet of a volley to thr net from point-blank range and the Limerick champions were back in the game. Four points on the trot and suddenly they were tied, 1-6 apiece.
An injury-time James O’Brien pointed free was all that separated the sides at the break, Charleville with their noses in front,for the first time in a final this year but this one had all the makings of a Classic .
Three minutes after the restart it was tied again, the Cappamore midfielder with a fine point and for the next ten minutes, as the lights came on, it was stalemate.
Who would have thought, at that stage, it would end as it did? Cappamore, however, were finding the going increasingly tough against a Charleville defence that simply shut up shop. Cyrian Curtin was assured, Michael O’Flynn, Conor Fitzgerald and Alan Dennehy combined superbly in the full-back line, centre-back Colm O’Flynn gave a man of the match performance but was ably supported by Barry McCarthy and Brendan Dennehy. In midfield James Casey and captain fantastic Daniel O’Flynn were increasingly dominant, while the move of the experienced Mervyn Gammell from full-forward to the wing meant an added ball-winner in that vital area, alongside another veteran, Alan O’Connor.
Ultimately, however, it was the pace, fitness, energy and of the Charleville youngsters up front that made the difference for Charleville. Andrew Cagney and Derry Murphy got the goals that mattered most. sub Mark Kavanagh had a hat-trick of points, and despite A late goal for Cappamore, ended the scoring
The final whistle was greeted with scenes of Jubilation from the Charleville Supporters and completed a remarkable end to 2011 for the Charleville Club.It was the fourth piece of silverware that has ended up in the Club this year .
Christmas has arrived early in Charleville this year and will be celebrated in style.
Scorers for Charleville: J O’Brien 1-5 (1f), D Murphy 1-1, A Cagney 1-1, M Kavanagh 0-3, B Dennehy (1f), D O’Flynn 0-2 each, M Gammell 0-1.
CHARLEVILLE: C Curtin; M O’Flynn, C Fitzgerald, A Dennehy; B McCarthy, C O’Flynn, B Dennehy; J Casey, D O’Flynn (c); D Murphy, G Kelleher, A O’Connor; A Cagney, M Gammell, J O’Brien.
Subs: M Kavanagh for Kelleher (41), PJ O’Halloran for Gammell (58), D O’Sullivan for M O’Flynn (58), F O’Callaghan for Cagney (58), J Foley for D O’Flynn (58).
