Devaney heroics inspires Templemore past Thurles
GAA: Munster Post Primary Schools Senior 'A' Hurling - Harty Cup Quarter Final
Our Lady’s Templemore 1-17
Thurles CBS 0-19
Report: Michael Dundon at The Ragg
MATCH DIGEST
Man of the Match: Kenny Ryan (Toomevara)
SCORERS – Our Lady's Templemore: James Devaney 1-4 (0-4 frees); Kevin Maher (frees), Eddie Ryan 0-3each; Kenny Ryan, Ciaran McCormack 0-2 each; Tony Cahill, John Campion, James Corcoran 0-1 each.
Thurles CBS: Devon Ryan 0-9 (8 frees); Max Hackett 0-3; Eoin Purcell 0-2; Frank Hanafin, Paddy Creedon, Jack Leamy, Jack Morrissey, Stephen Ferncombe 0-1 each.
Wins dont come more dramatically than this!
Two points down six minutes into injury time, Our Lady’s Templemore snatched a spectacular one point win with a sensational late goal that knocked county rivals Thurles CBS out of the Dr Harty Cup at the quarter-final stage last Wednesday.
It was the stuff of dreams for Borris-Ileigh starlet James Devaney who pounced for the winning goal, a feat all the more commendable in that county minor Devaney had been well-policed throughout. He hit four points from frees but this was his first score from play and what a way to do it.
While little or nothing separated the sides throughout a thriller that had a huge crowd in full voice, Our Lady’s were that shade better than their rivals and it was they who made the running most of the way.
From the word go the exchanges were competitive with Templemore forging 0-5 to 0-2 ahead after 13 minutes. Kevin Maher was marshalling their defence in masterly fashion and there was a constant threat from Edddie Ryan, and Kenny Ryan.
Thurles were slower to settle but gradually found their feet. Max Hackett hit two points from midfield and Eoin Purcell and Devon Ryan added a brace each as they drew level (0-9 each) by the 27th minute. Hackett landed his third for the lead but Templemore finished the half well Kevin Maher from a free and Eddie Ryan finding the target for an interval lead of 0-11 to 0-10.
At the break, Templemore would have been disappointed to have so slender an advantage and Thurles had reason to be happy at being so close having played second fiddle much of the way. However, it was anybody’s game, and so it transpired.
Templemore continued to make the running on resuming. Kenny Ryan and Eddie Ryan were the main threat as they opened a three point gap by the three quarter stage (0-15 to 0-12). Devon Ryan’s free-taking was keeping Thurles on their heels but by the 57th minute, Templemore were two clear and looking winners.
Then came a Thurles surge which saw Devon Ryan point two frees to level by the hour mark. Full back Frank Hanafin landed a long-range effort for the lead for Thurles, quickly doubled by sub Stephen Ferncombe’s point in the 63rd minute.
The momentum and time were on Thurles’ side but in a hectic finish, Kevin Maher’s clearance from the Templemore backline was won by James Devaney who shrugged off a couple of tackles before blasting to the net, a carbon copy of his closing goal for Borris-Ileigh in the previous Sunday’s All-Ireland Club semi-final win over St Thomas’.
Thurles were shattered but had two chances of forcing extra time as the injury time ticked on. Both were off target leaving Our Lady’s delighted winners and booking a date with St Flannan’s of Ennis in the semi-final on 25-26 January, an encountter they can look forward to with some confidence.
While the winning goal will be the talk of Templemore, victory would not have come their way but for the excellence of Lorcan Roche, Kevin Maher, Cian O'Dwyer, Kenny Ryan, Ciaran McCormack and Eddie Ryan.
One had to have sympathy for the Thurles lads but there had to be a winner. The efforts of goalie Jason O'Dwyer, Frank Hanafin, James Armstrong, Max Hackett, Jack Morrissey Devon Ryan and Eoin Purcell were commendable.
TEAMS - Our Lady’s Secondary School, Templemore: Paddy Hassett (Rathdowney/Erril); Shane Lowe (Moyne-Templetuohy), Lorcan Roche (JK Brackens), Henry Fogarty (Thurles Sarsfields); James Corcoran (JK Bracken), Kevin Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Cian O'Dwyer (Clonakenny); Conor Cadell (JK Bracken), John Campion (Drom & Inch); Ciaran McCormack (Loughmore/Castleiney), Kenny Ryan (Toomevara); Eddie Ryan (Borris-Ileigh); James Devaney (Borris-Ileigh), Tony Cahill (Drom & Inch), Paudie Kinane (Drom & Inch).
Subs: Ben Stapleton (Drom & Inch) for Cahill (50); Darragh Kennedy (Drom & Inch) for Kinane (57).
Thurles CBS: Jason O'Dwyer (Clonoulty/Rossmore); Martin Paul O'Dwyer (Boherlahan-Dualla), Frank Hanafin (Holycross/Ballycahill), James Armstrong (Thurles Sarsfields); Keith Ryan (Upperchurch/Drombane), Kevin Hayes (Moycarkey/Borris), Ciaran Lloyd (Moyne-Templetuohy); Max Hackett (Moycarkey/Borris), Jack Morrissey (Moycarkey/Borris); John Leamy (Golden-Kilfeacle), Devon Ryan (Knockavilla Kickhams), Eoin Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields); Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Darren Flood (Moycarkey/Borris), John Lee (Roscrea).
Subs: John Lillis (Drom & Inch) for Lee (43); Stephen Ferncombe (Holycross/Ballycahill) for Leamy (49); Kieran Larkin (Moyne-Templetuohy) for Flood (52); Luke Shanahan (Upperchurch/Drombane) for Lloyd (54); Pat Ryan (Upperchurch/Drombane) for Creedon (60).
Referee: Mike Sexton (Limerick).