Cashel beat Highfield to win Cyril Fitzgerald Plate Final.

History was created on Saturday last as Cashel traveled to Irish independent Park, Cork to take on Highfield in the Cyril Fitzgerald Plate. The eight teams knocked out in the first round of the Munster Senior Cup compete in this competition. Prior to this Cashel had one senior trophy to their name, the Division 2B All Ireland League title won in season 2011/2012, but had not yet won a Munster Senior trophy. This was rectified as they won a very tight game with a Highfield team just promoted to Division 2A for next season. In spite of very heavy scattered showers of sleet, which surrounded Cork, conditions at Independent Park remained perfect but for one light shower which made conditions slightly slippy. Sean O'Connor was unavailable to play as he had lined out on Thursday with the Munster A team and James Maxwell was tied up with exams. It gave an opportunity to others to players to participate. In came Michael Kelly in the front row and Brendan Crosse in the second row.
Cashel dominated the early part of the game and it was clear they were determined to come home with the trophy. The forwards went through the phases with Ed Leamy, Brendan and Michael Crosse and Danny Lambe leading the charge. They were rewarded after 5 minutes when Pat O'Connor kicked a penalty from the 22. He added another 7 minutes later. Cashel were playing an expansive game and also using the high kick to great effect with Aidan Barron pulling the strings. On 21 minutes a break by the Highfield out half brought play into the Cashel 22. A good tackle by Tom McHale saved the day and Brian Silke cleared the ball to touch. Highfield won the lineout and set up a good maul to score a converted try and go ahead. Danny Lambe had to leave the field at this stage and he was replaced by Cormac O'Donnell. Cashel came roaring back and when awarded a penalty on half way they licked inside the 22, set up a maul and Michael Crosse touched down for a fine forwards try. Pat O'Connor converted. 6 minutes later O'Connor put Cashel further ahead with another penalty when Highfield brought down a maul. Half Time score Cashel 16 Highfield 7.
Highfield came out with all guns blazing in the second half and only stout defending kept them out. Cashel lifted the siege and brought play inside the Highfield half. Pat O'Connor put Cashel further ahead with another penalty and at 19 7 it looked all over. For the next 20 minutes most of the game was played between the two 22 metre lines with no team having the upper hand. Then with 14 minutes left some sloppy play by Cashel on half way led to a turnover and Highfield were awarded a penalty which they kicked to the corner. They used their huge pack to drive for the line and scored another converted try- suddenly they were back in the ballgame. Cashel brought on Gavin Ryan, Philip O'Connor, Robert Coates and Kieran Gleeson. They certainly had to dig deep to keep a rampant Highfield at bay. With time running out and Highfield pressing on Cashel's line Cormac O'Donnell got his hands on the ball at the breakdown winning a very important penalty for Cashel. The lines were cleared and a number of penalties to Cashel brought play into the Highfield half. Ryan O'Donnell and Eoin Laffan entered the game at this stage. Cashel won a lineout on the 22 and drove for the line. The ball was flashed through the backs and Eamon Connolly finished off the game with an excellent team try which Pat O'Connor
converted. Final score Cashel 26 Highfield 14. It was a very entertaining game played in true cup spirit. Bertie Smith, President of the Munster Branch presented the trophy to captain Sean Walsh and Sliabh Na Mon rang out in Independent Park as the players celebrated a famous victory. Cashel team: M Kelly, N Fitzgerald, D Lambe, S Walsh, B Crosse, E Leamy, M Crosse, K Leamy, A Barron, C Holland, A Wallace, P O'Connor, B Silke, E Connolly, T McHale, R Coates, C O'Donnell, P O'Connor, K Gleeson, G Ryan, E Laffan, R O'Donnell.