Hurling
Clean sweep for De La Salle

Co Down U-14.5 Vocational schools’ Championship
Ulster U-14.5 B Voluntary Schools’ Blitz
Ulster U-14.5 B Voluntary Schools’ Championship
De La Salle, Downpatrick 5-9 Dean Maguire, Carrickmore, Co Tyrone 1-5

Taken from the Mourne Observer

 

ON a beautiful summer’s day in Sarsfields Park, Belfast, De La Salle, Downpatrick, achieved a first ever clean sweep of hurling titles, when they defeated a skilful Tyrone outfit in the Ulster B final.
The final started briskly for the County town school when they fired over five points from Kieran Curran (2) and captain Stephen Tierney (2).
Carrickmore then has a fine spell when they shot four points, leaving it all square after 20 minutes.
Goals from Owen Curran and Christopher Laverty saw De La Salle regain the lead but Dean Maguire College reduced the deficit with a goal right on half-time, leaving it only one goal in it at the break in the Downpatrick school’s favour.
Whatever manager Joe McStay said at half-time worked as his players dominated the second half, scoring a massive 3-5 to a single point from Carrickmore.
Goals from Peter Russell, Liam Parkinson and Christopher Armstrong saw them take control and further points from Armstrong (2), Stephen Tierney and Kieran and Owen Curran left the final score 5-9 to 1-5 in the Downpatrick school’s favour.
De La Salle had marvellous performances from goalkeeper Ben Fitzsimons, Terry McAlea, Stephen McMullan and Nathan Curran in the full-back line.
Defenders Matthew McMullan, Christopher Mathers and Stephen Moore were a tower of strength, as was midfielder, and many people’s Man of the Match, Stephen Rooney.
Forwards who shared the honours were Conor Doyle and Malachy Crangle, but every forward scored, quite some feat.
At the presentation John Crossey, Down Hurling Development Officer, presented De La Salle’s Stephen Tierney with the trophy and congratulated the team on a magnificent achievement.
De La Salle team and panel: Ben Fitzsimons, Terry McAlea, Stephen McMullan, Nathan Curran, Stephen Moore, Christopher Mathers, Matthew McMullan, Stephen Rooney, Stephen Tierney 0-3, Christopher Armstrong 1-2, Ciaran Curran 0-3, Liam Parkinson 1-0, Owen Curran 1-1, Christopher Laverty 1-0, Peter Russell 1-0. Subs: Conor Doyle for Nathan Curran (after 20 minutes, injury), Matthew Crangle for Christopher Armstrong (45 mins, injury), Jason Dagens, Anthony Darragh, Thomas Leckey, Daniel Giles, Joseph Trainor, Rory Sharvin, Cormac Sharvin, Tony Cannon, Conaill Feenan, Brendan Breen, Darryl Dobbin, Darryl McCartney, David Kearney.
Manager: Joe McStay.
De La Salle High School players would like to thank the 200 supporters, teaching and ancillary staff, parents and families who helped make it an unforgettable occasion.