Mountrath CS lose narrowly but top group to qualify for knockout senior hurling

Mountrath Community School are through to the knockout stages of the Leinster Colleges senior 'B' hurling championship after topping a group containing Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore and Castlecomer CS.

The Laois school were defeated on Monday night by Colaiste Choilm but top the group with a superior score difference with the Offaly school also qualifying in second place in the group.

Played in the Faithful Fields in Kilcormac on a bitterly cold and foggy evening, they were beaten by a point but having beaten Castlecomer already, they have done enough to top the group.

MOUNTRATH CS 0-17

COLAISTE CHOILM, TULLAMORE 2-12

Their qualification was somewhat overshadowed by a serious injury to Ciaran McKelvey right on the stroke of full time as he picked up a heavy knock to the head and needed medical assistance for a long period after the game was over. It was literally the last puck of the game when he picked up the injury and hopefully the young wing forward is on the mend.

The game itself was a close affair with momentum changing throughout the 60 minutes. The Tullamore outfit had looked like they might pull away in the second quarter but a resolute comeback from the Laois school meant they were level in the final stages only for Daniel Bourke to score a late winner for Colaiste Choilm.

The game was dominated by the two freetakers. Ben Deegan led the way for Mountrath while Tullamore centre back Dan Ravenhill gave an exhibition of long range free taking for the Offaly side.

Ravenhill opened the scoring early on but Deegan opened his account soon after with his first placed ball of the evening. Colaiste Choilm then began to steal a march with a fortunate goal from Sean Rattigan helping them into a 1-2 TO 0-1 lead after six minutes.

The Mountrath response was impressive with Ben Deegan punishing the Tullamore men's indiscipline with four scores in a row to leave it level after 13 minutes. Mountrath then snuck into the lead when Jer Quinlan got their first score from play to leave the Laois men one point ahead at the water break.

Ciaran McKelvey landed a great score from distance to boost Mountrath but the Tullamore outfit then hit Mountrath for 1-4 in succession to open the game up. Ravenhill and Daniel Bourke with frees while Joel Troy got their second fortunate goal of the evening as Mountrath trailed 2-7 to 0-7 with five minutes left in the half.

Again, they responded well. Jer Quinlan got a much needed score before a free from Deegan and one from play on the stroke of half time from Ciaran Culleton narrowed the gap to three at half time - 2-7 to 0-10.

Mountrath CS hold all the aces as they dismantle Kilkenny School in senior hurling championship opener

Leinster Schools Senior Hurling Championship 'B', Round 1

Colaiste Choilm got a rapid start to the second half with three scores on the bounce to restore their six point lead but Ben Deegan was in great form on the frees and three more from him had it back to a one score game with 11 minutes to play.

The Offaly school went four ahead through Ter Guinan but four scores in a row, two from Deegan along with points from Conor Doran and Josh O'Brien Holmes left Mountrath level with two minutes to play.

In the end it took a Daniel Bourke wonder score from the sideline to win it but the one point defeat was enough to hang on top spot in the group and a knockout clash with Borris VS in the new year.

MOUNTRATH CS

Scores: Ben Deegan 0-11 (0-10 frees and 0-1 '65), Jer Quinlan 0-2, Ciaran McKelvey, Ciaran Culleton, Conor Doran and Josh O'Brien Holmes 0-1 each. 

Team: Jack McKelvey (Castletown); Matthew Quinlan (Borris-Kilcotton), Cathal Cuddy (Camross), Joe Pearson Clough/Ballacolla); Tom Cuddy (Camross), Kevin Byrne (Camross), Jack Fitzpatrick (Borris-Kilcotton); Eoghan Cuddy (Camross), Josh O'Brien Holmes (Mountrath); Ciaran McKelvey (Castletown), Jer Quinlan (Borris-Kilcotton), Ben Deegan (Camross); Jack Breen (Castletown), Conor Doran (Castletown), Ciaran Culleton (Ballyfin). Subs: James Cuddy (Camross) for Jack Breen (39m).

COLAISTE CHOILM

Scorers: Dan Ravenhill 0-7 (0-6 frees and 0-1 '65), Sean Rattigan and Joel Troy 1-0 each, Daniel Bourke 0-3 (0-2 frees), Ter Guinan and Cillian Martin 0-1 each.

Team: Kieran Coonan; Sean Brady, Sam Bourke, Jack Daly; Daire McDaid, Dan Ravenhill, Jack Kelly; Cillian Martin, Niall Furlong; Harry Plunkett, Daniel Bourke, Ter Guinan; Robbie Gallagher, Joel Troy, Sean Rattigan. Subs: Luke Duffy for Robbie Gallagher (59)

Referee: Adam Kinahan (Offaly)