St Canice’s 7- 6 CBS 5 -3
A large crowd witnessed a thrilling game of passion determination and no little skill as St Canice’s and the CBS battled for the honours in the Primary Schools Roinn A Final last Wednesday 21st in Nowlan Park . The CBS won the toss and elected to play against a stiff breeze and they were first to attack with Dean Cornally narrowly shooting wide. St Canice’s returned fire immediately and a well worked passing movement from half back ended with Mark Slater slotting home the first goal of the game. Aidan Tuohy added to St Canice’s tally with a point from broken play. There followed a long spell of pressure from Canice’s and  Robbie Murphy in particular seemed to be causing problems but the CBS boys’ defence was resolute with Daniel Bolger and Evan Coady holding firm.  In the ninth minute the ball was collected by CBS full forward Gary Kelly and from forty yards he sent a dipping shot under the Canice’s bar for a great goal. From the kick out the ball was worked quickly to Bill Sheehan the Canice’s no 15 and he deftly shot low into the CBS net. What a match. St Canice’s forwards began to gain lots of possession but shot 8 wides because of the pressure they came under. Then with five minutes to go to half time the CBS midfield pairing of Eoin McGovern and Eamon O’Reilly came more into the match, delivering quality ball to their forwards. David Kennedy and in particular Stephen Farrell and Michael Phelan stood up resolutely to the pressure. A pointed free from Eoin McGovern brought the margin down to a goal before Kevin Kenny the Canice’s no 14 scored a point. Then just before the half time whistle Eoin McGovern, with a beautifully weighted shot scored a wonderful goal to leave a point between the sides at the break 2-2 to 2-1
The CBS turned to face the sun with the breeze at their backs for the second half but it was St Canice’s who drew first blood. In the space of nine minutes they had clocked up 3 goals from Frank Nolan  Kevin Kenny and Shane O’Brien and three points from Darragh Holohan and Kenny(2) again. The CBS looked rattled but credit where credit is due. They rallied and a mix-up in the Canice’s defence was pounced on by substitute (no11)  for a goal. Kevin Kenny settled the St Canice’s nerves with a superbly taken goal after a great pass from Mark Slater. Again the CBS drove down the pitch and the ball was punched to the net by Dean Cornally. Then Kevin Kenny raced onto a ball, passed to Frank Nolan and wham another goal. Another team would have folded but not this CBS team. They responded magnificently Eamon O’Reilly crashed the ball to the net to finish off a great movement up the centre. The CBS midfield began to dominate and their followers roared them on. With time running out they needed to go for goals and only stout defending from the Canices goalie and full back line prevented them scoring. Meanwhile the CBS goalie Jason Carroll brought off a magnificent save to rally his troops. Seamus McGrath came on as substitute for Canices and scored a great point but Dean Cornally replied with a point for CBS When the final whistle sounded it was St Canice’s day…. a fantastic achievement for this school which has now won a record six Roinn A football titles in a row. It was also wonderful to see the CBS back in a final as this school has a proud history of hurling and football to rival the best in the county. Best for Canice’s were Kevin Kenny, Stephen Farrell, Robbie Murphy and Michael Phelan. Best for the CBS Eoin McGovern, Eamon O’Reilly, Dean Cornally and Dion Guilfoyle . Man of the match: Kevin Kenny.