Nenagh CBS miss out on All-Ireland Final
Nenagh CBS’ historic run in the 2023/2024 Senior ‘A’ Schools Hurling season came to a heart-breaking end after St Raphael’s College, Loughrea scored three points deep in injury time to snatch a place in the All-Ireland Final.
GAA: Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling – Croke Cup Semi-Final
St Raphael’s College, Loughrea 1-20
St Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh 3-13
Report: Shane Brophy in Tulla
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Paddy Mac Carthaigh (St Raphael’s College).
SCORERS – St Raphael’s College: Paddy Mac Carthaigh 0-7; Thomas Stafford 1-2; Bobby Feeney frees, Cullen Killeen 0-3 each; Eoghan Mulleady 0-2; Diarmuid Mac Carthaigh Luke McInerney, Donnacha Campbell 0-1 each.
Nenagh CBS: Darragh McCarthy 0-11 (9 frees, 1 ’65); Aodhan O’Connor 2-0; Danny Quinn 1-0; Jake Hackett, Zac Keller 0-1 each.
In the same way Nenagh snatched victory in the Harty Cup final, they were on the receiving end this time round as Cullen Killeen caught a Nenagh puckout before firing over from the wing for as good a score to win any game.
It was a cruel way for Nenagh to have their incredible season come to an end as they hung on grimly to a six point half time lead they enjoyed at half time, playing against the breeze and led by two deep in added time and had chances to kill the game off before Loughrea’s late surge.
Nenagh led 3-8 to 1-8 at half time with goals from Danny Treacy and two from Aodhan O’Connor for a six point lead which was generous as Loughrea were the better side in the opening half against the breeze.
Within a quarter of an hour of the second half, Nenagh’s lead had gone but the Munster champions then produced their best hurling of the game, keeping Loughrea scoreless for seventeen minutes but only managed three points themselves, all from Darragh McCarthy placed balls, but they also failed to convert gilt-edged scoring chances to embellish their lead, including a McCarthy goal chance which was superbly turned around the post by Shane Murray.
When the five minutes of added time signalled were up, Nenagh still led 3-13 to 1-17 but the referee added more, where Eoghan Doughan was harshly penalised for overcarrying when he was fouled. From the resultant free, man of the match Paddy Mac Carthaigh brought them within one before Thomas Stafford levelled following which Nenagh’s Brian O’Meara was sent off.
Extra time looked likely but there was more time and from the resultant puckout, Cullen Killeen rose high to win the ball before bursting forward to point from the wing to break Nenagh’s hearts.
Full report and reaction in next Wednesday's Nenagh Guardian.
TEAMS – St Raphael’s College, Loughrea: Shane Murray; Jason Griffin, Daniel Keane, Finn Beirne; Oscar O’Gorman, Gavin Maher, Diarmuid Mac Carthaigh; Luke McInerney, Cullen Killeen; Donncha Campbell, Paddy Mac Carthaigh, Eoghan Mulleady; Thomas Stafford, Vince Morgan, Bobby Feeney.
Subs: Stephen Keane for Morgan (42); Jack Shaughnessy for Beirne (60)
St Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh: Simon Grace (Ballina); Conor Grace (Burgess), Cian Connolly (Nenagh Eire Og), Gavin McGrath (Kiladangan); Jack Doran (Toomevara), Jake Hackett (Toomevara), Andy Hoolan (Moneygall); Ciaran Foley (Borrisokane), Mason Cawley (Nenagh Eire Og); Jack Mulcahy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara), Zac Keller (Nenagh Eire Og); Aodhan O’Connor (Nenagh Eire Og), Danny Quinn (Silvermines), Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall).
Subs: Austin Duff (Toomevara) for Mulcahy (27); Joe O’Dwyer (Burgess) for Keller (43); Darragh Treacy (Silvermines) for Duff (48 inj); Brian O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for Doran (48)
Referee: Eamon Stapleton (Limerick).