Treacy rescues Nenagh CBS in dramatic finale

GAA: TUS Munster Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling – Dr. Harty Cup Semi-Final

Nenagh CBS 2-18

Charleville CBS 1-17

Report: Shane Brophy in Cappamore

Photos: Bridget Delaney

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Darragh McCarthy (Nenagh CBS)

SCORERS – Nenagh CBS: Darragh McCarthy 0-13 (9 frees); Aodhan O’Connor, Darragh Treacy 1-0 each; Eoghan Doughan 0-2; Jack Mulcahy, Danny Quinn, Austin Duff 0-1 each.

Charleville CBS: Chris Dunne 1-8 (0-5 frees); Kieran Murphy 0-3 frees; Eoin O’Mahony 0-2; Fionn O’Sullivan, Turlough O’Neill, Gareth Gleeson, Joseph Hickey 0-1 each.

Just when it looked as if lady luck had deserted them in a major way, St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh conjured up a late late show to reach a first Dr. Harty Cup final in twelve years following a dramatic conclusion to this Munster PPS Senior ‘A’ Hurling semi-final on Saturday afternoon.

In the descending gloom in front of a huge crowd in Cappamore, major controversy was set to develop after Charleville goalkeeper Kieran Murphy converted a 62nd minute free to nudge his side in front, just moments after Nenagh’s Darragh McCarthy had a similar effort ruled wide, despite the umpire initially raising the white flag.

It was a beautifully flighted 55-yard effort which tailed in on the diagonal breeze, however a Charleville mentor objected claiming it was wide, and following the intervention of the linesman, the score was ruled out, much to the understandable anger of the Nenagh mentors, and when the Cork side subsequently edged in front, a major controversy was on the cards.

However, the Charleville keeper turned from hero to zero as Nenagh defender Gavin McGrath’s dipping shot from the wing dropped just under the crossbar, with Murphy fumbling the ball and sub Darragh Treacy was on hand to flick the ball to the net and the North Tipp boys were back in front.

Charleville were shell-shocked, and in the time that remained, Darragh McCarthy and Eoghan Doughan added to their tallies to complete a second fightback from Nenagh, who had initially fallen into ten-point deficit in the first period, trailing 1-8 to 0-1 after just fifteen minutes.

Nenagh were in awful trouble at that point, chasing shadows in the form of a Charleville side that were playing at a serious pace, driven on by wing back Sean Bresnan, who was outstanding. Their use of the ball was superb, creating regular scoring opportunities and should have been further ahead but for some poor wides. In wing forward Chris Dunne and centre forward Eoin O’Mahony, they were hard to tie down with Dunne’s goal in the tenth minute the key score in Charleville’s opening salvo.

Nenagh were off the pace in that opening quarter but slowly worked their way back into contention with points from star-man Darragh McCarthy, Danny Quinn and Jake Mulcahy.

Nenagh were still trailing 1-10 to 0-5 on 26 minutes when they got a tonic goal, against the breeze, Aodhan O’Connor finishing a scrappy bout of play, a move begun by sub Austin Duff whose guile added massively to Nenagh’s half forward line after replacing Zac Keller who again struggled with a knee injury.

Trailing 1-12 to 1-6 at half-time, Nenagh were still in with a chance, but Charleville looked like a team that would cope well playing into the breeze. However, within eight seconds of the restart, Darragh McCarthy pointed, one of this four from play, and you could feel the momentum building. He added three long range frees, along with another from play, before another 80-yard bomb brought Nenagh level on forty minutes.

Charleville had lost their rhythm and a late challenge on Nenagh full-back Cian Connolly led to a free where the ball landed on the Charleville 45 and gave Darragh McCarthy the opportunity for the lead score.

Nenagh were in a great position to kick on but now with the lead, they began to panic on the ball, and it allowed Charleville to gain a foothold once more with goalkeeper Kieran Murphy getting their first score of the half from a free in the 47th minute.

For the next ten minutes, each team got their nose in front with Eoghan Doughan, Darragh McCarthy and Austin Duff on target for Nenagh who led 1-16 to 1-15 before Chris Dunne equalised, and then came the late drama!

TEAMS - Nenagh CBS: Simon Grace (Ballina 6); Conor Grace (Burgess 6), Cian Connolly (Nenagh Eire Og 7), Gavin McGrath (Kiladangan 7); Jack Doran (Toomevara 6), Jake Hackett (Toomevara 8), Andy Hoolan (Moneygall 7); Ciaran Foley (Borrisokane 7), Mason Cawley (Nenagh Eire Og 7); Jack Mulcahy (Kilruane MacDonaghs 7), Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall 7), Zack Keller (Nenagh Eire Og 6); Aodhan O’Connor (Nenagh Eire Og 6), Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara 9), Danny Quinn (Silvermines 6).

Subs: Austin Duff (Toomevara 7) for Keller (24); Darragh Treacy (Silvermines 7) for Mulcahy (47).

Charleville CBS: Kieran Murphy (7); Niall Tobin (7), Tom McCarthy (6), Fionn O’Sullivan (6); Sean Bresnan (9), Bill Collins (7), Sean Byrne (6); Robert Troy (6), Turlough O’Neill (7); Liam O’Mahony (6), Eoin O’Mahony (7), Chris Dunne (8); Gareth Gleeson (7), Joseph Hickey (6), Patrick Daly (6).

Sub: Billy Kiely (6) for Daly (23-26 blood, 53).

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Limerick).