Recent success the latest sign of hurling's rise within Tralee CBS
![Recent success the latest sign of hurling's rise within Tralee CBS Recent success the latest sign of hurling's rise within Tralee CBS](/cms_media/module_img/7739/3869719_9_articlesmall_406053595_863072109154840_392389834623295584_n.jpg)
GREEN SHOOTS: Tralee CBS players and coaches celebrate after Tuesday's victory over Ardscoil Rís. Pic: Tralee Parnells
The rise of hurling in Tralee can be illustrated by the number of members now playing with the town's Parnells hurling and camogie club.
Tralee Parnells were reformed in 2012 and have gone from strength to strength in the decade-plus since.
One link between the Tralee Parnells club and one of the town's schools, CBS The Green, is hurling coach Mark Ryall.
Ryall and many other integral figures have overseen a period of serious hurling growth at all age grades within Tralee CBS.
Various successes at lower grades in the mid-2010s - including double senior triumphs at the Munster 'E' grade in 2017 and '18 - have led to more recent victories against traditional post-primary hurling powerhouses.
The latest of which was earned on Tuesday as the school's first-year outfit - having entered the Limerick 'A' competition - defeated Ardscoil Rís in the decider to take the spoils back to the Kingdom.
Between the Tralee-based hurlers and the notoriously strong North Kerry talent, The Green have formed a strong first-year panel. A squad with bucketloads of variety.
"There's a good few lads involved from Tralee, but we've got a good mix from outside," Ryall said. "That's how Tralee Parnells started, from the school.
"There was seven or eight from Tralee Parnells involved on the panel [against Ardscoil Rís]. Then there would be a good mix from North Kerry, so we'd have a good few Crotta lads, Abbeydorney lads, Ballyheigue, Ardfert...
"Every North Kerry club was actually represented, either playing or among the subs. I think it's the first time I've ever had a team where everyone was represented."
The above-mentioned Limerick 'A' victory matched the feat conquered by the school's under-15 equivalent last year.
But it wasn't always as promising for hurling in The Green.
It's taken a lot of hard work and hours from numerous helping hands. As the Tralee Parnells clubman stresses, there is a core group of coaches working together in search of continuous improvement.
"I'm inside with about 14 or 15 years, but the first eight or nine, we were getting absolutely tattooed at the 'E' grade.
"But we kept at it, and kept at it, and we won two Munster 'E' grades back-to-back at senior (2017 and '18)."
Continued success at the lower grades throughout the ages has culminated in a senior team that is now competing at the 'B' level (one level below the Harty Cup).
Their senior's performances throughout the term have them in good order when looking at post-Christmas involvement.
"We are in a good position to qualify for after Christmas," Ryall said.
"We have to beat Coachford in the last game. We've won two of our three games."
"We actually applied to get into the Harty Cup this year, but we were refused. The plan is to go up next year anyway. Most of the senior team are only in fifth year, so they are all around for next year.
"To be playing Corn Uí Mhuirí football and Harty hurling would be a huge achievement for the school."
Ryall signs off from our chat with that aim still front and centre: "Hopefully you'll be interviewing us after a Harty game next year."
Onwards and upwards for the green shoots of Tralee CBS.