Thurles qualify as remaining three face a battle

GROUP 1

CBC Cork 2-19 Nenagh CBS 1-11

Nenagh CBS’ fate in the Harty Cup is out of their hands going into the final round of group games following an eleven-point defeat to CBC Cork in Ballyagran.

This second round was ultimately decided in a wind- and rain-assisted opening half, after which they led 0-15 to 0-5. Plus, there was a goal from Mark O’Dwyer straight from the restart, which placed the Cork school in a very strong position, and now have qualified for the quarter finals.

That said, Nenagh CBS clawed their way back to within six points in the second half with the help of a Jack Mulcahy while full-forward Darragh McCarthy top scored with ten points, but they didn’t have the same overall threat as their opponents with David Cremin sealing the win with CBC’s second goal late on.

Nenagh CBS meet Gaelcholáiste Mhuire an Mhainistir Thuaidh in their final group game. They need to win this, but they will also be hoping that other results and scoring difference go their way.

Nenagh CBS: Cormac Hogan (Toomevara); Eoin Meagher (Portroe), Jack McGrath (Kiladangan), Cynan Bailey (Silvermines), Michael Ryan (Burgess), Cian Connolly (Nenagh Éire Óg), Keelan Rice (Nenagh Éire Óg); Jack O’Callaghan (Portroe), Ciaran Foley (Borrisokane); John O’Meara (Kiladangan), Kieran Grace (Burgess), Conor Cooney (Burgess); Jack Mulcahy (Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-0), Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara 0-10, 8f), Adam Hall (Toomevara 0-1).

Subs: Mason Cawley (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Ryan, Jack Doran (Toomevara) for Rice (30), Filip McIntyre (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Foley (35), Cathal Treacy (Silvermines) for O’Meara (40), Aodhan O’Connor (Nenagh Éire Óg) for McGrath (56 inj).

GROUP 2

Thurles CBS 2-17 Our Lady’s SS Templemore 0-10

Thurles CBS took control of their group in the Munster Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship group with this comprehensive thirteen-point win over rivals Our Lady’s Templemore at The Ragg.

With two wins from two games, Thurles CBS are guaranteed a spot in the knock-out stages, but Templemore must win their last round-robin game against St Francis College Rochestown to stay in the frame.

Local rivalry ensured a big turnout for the game which was marred by heavy showers and a leaden pitch. The exchanges were full-blooded in the opening twenty minutes at the end of which the sides were level 0-4 each. In the 25th minute Daniel Rossiter’s shot was parried by Templemore goalie Archie Delaney and the in-rushing Robbie Stapleton ensured it reached the back of the net for a Thurles goal.

Just on half-time, Thurles got a second goal when Robbie Ryan’s free was deflected to the net to put them in a commanding position at half-time with a 2-6 to 0-4 lead.

Templemore were in dire straits, but they battled courageously in the third quarter without making any significant inroad into the deficit. Thurles, who were 2-9 to 0-8 ahead starting the last quarter, finished with a flourish, hitting eight points to Templemore’s two for an impressive win.

There is a lot of talent in the Thurles side with Jim Ryan, Emmet Ralph, Eoin O’Connell, Robbie Stapleton, and Robbie Ryan leading by example.

Templemore will be hoping for better things next time out. The two goals in five minutes, both of which could have been avoided, rattled them despite the best efforts of Jamie Ormond, Jamie Bergin, Paddy Phelan, and Eoin Larkin.

Thurles CBS: Eoin Horgan (Knockavilla Kickhams), Kieran Purcell (Durlas Og), Emmet Ralph (Durlas Og), Padraig O’Dwyer (Killenaule); Eoin O’Connell (Loughmore/Castleiney), Jim Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill, 0-1f); Stephen Walsh (Moycarkey/Borris); James Doyle (Holycross/Ballycahill), Tommy Maher (Thurles Sarsfields, 0-2, 1f); Joe Egan (Moycarkey/Borris, 0-1), Daniel Rossiter (Durlas Og), Aidan Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields 0-2); Robbie Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill 1-5, 0-2f), Jimmy Lahart (Holycross/Ballycahill, 0-1), Robbie Stapleton (Thurles Sarsfields 1-4).

Subs used: Darragh Kelly (Eire Og Annacarty 0-1), Bill Flanagan (Moycarkey/Borris), Paul McCahey (Loughmore/Ballycahill), Evan Morris (Holycross/Ballycahill).

Our Lady’s SS, Templemore: Archie Devaney (Borris-Ileigh); Conor Gleeson (Drom & Inch), Jamie Bergin (JK Brackens), Eoghan Kennedy (Drom & Inch); James Ryan (JK Bracken, 0-1), Eoin Larkin (Roscrea), Ned Delaney (JK Brackens); Paddy Phelan (Upperchurch/Drombane 0-5, 4f), Tom Corcoran (JK Brackens); Ned Walsh (JK Brackens 0-1), Michael Cahill (JK Brackens), John McMahon (Roscrea); Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens 0-2, 1f), Dan McAllister (Drom & Inch), Cathal Guilfoyle (Moyne-Templetuohy 0-1).

Subs used: Cormac Cahill (Drom & Inch), Cameron Fleming (Clonakenny)

Referee: Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch)

GROUP 3

Ardscoil Ris 3-12 Cashel CS 1-15

A late Shane Gleeson goal saw Ardscoil Rís snatch victory over Cashel Community School in Cappamore.

Cashel’s David McGrath kicked off the scoring as Matthew O’Halloran levelled proceedings. Dylan Fogarty briefly gave Cashel the lead once more before Cian Scully raised the first green flag after six minutes. The Limerick school had their second on 13 minutes, Diarmuid Stritch flicking O’Halloran’s dropped shot into the net, moving Ardscoil 2-4 to 0-3 clear.

Cashel responded in kind with the dangerous Adam Daly, who would finish with 1-3, firing to the roof of the net. Four on the trot from Ronan Connolly ensured the sides would go into the break level at 2-6 to 1-9.

Scully broke the second-half deadlock after 40 minutes, following a number of wides from either side. But Cashel’s response was three on the trot. Ardscoil Rís then hit four unanswered to move two clear.

David McGrath hit back for Cashel with Daly then finding the leveller with three minutes to play. Scully momentarily gave Ardscoil the advantage in injury time but again Daly was on hand to draw the teams level.

But there was just enough time for Gleeson to make his mark, getting on the end of Scully’s dangerous delivery from the side-line to earn the victory.

Ardscoil Rís will qualify for the quarters with a win or draw against St Flannan’s next month but either of those would be good enough for Cashel to join them following a round one win over the Ennis outfit.

Cashel CS: Tommy Breen (Boherlahan-Dualla); Cian Ryan (Golden-Kilfeacle), Ger O’Dwyer, Ciaran Byrne (Golden-Kilfeacle); Darragh Spillane (Fethard), Jack Quinlan (Fethard), Dylan Fogarty (Boherlahan-Dualla 0-1); Ronan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs 0-8, 6f), Shane Buckley (Knockavilla Kickhams); Eanna Ormond (Golden-Kilfeacle), Ben Currivan (Golden-Kilfeacle 0-1), Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs); David McGrath (Golden-Kilfeacle 0-2), Fabian Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs), Adam Daly (Knockavilla Kickhams 1-3).

Subs: Robbie Darcy (Boherlahan-Dualla) for Ryan (52), Anthony Walsh (Cashel King Cormacs) for Ormond (52), Ross Darcy (Boherlahan-Dualla) for Connolly (54), Ronan Connolly for Buckley (58).