Nenagh CBS progress past Kilkenny CBS and into All-Ireland semi-final

Nenagh CBS showed they are hungry for more success after seeing off Leinster runners-up Kilkenny CBS in the All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling quarter final in Rathdowney on Saturday.

GAA: Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling Quarter Final

St Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh 3-19

Kilkenny CBS 2-11

Report: Shane Brophy in Rathdowney

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Mason Cawley (Nenagh CBS)

SCORERS - Nenagh CBS: Darragh McCarthy (2 frees), Eoghan Doughan (4 frees) 0-6 each; Joe O’Dwyer 1-1; Danny Quinn, Darragh Treacy 1-0 each; Mason Cawley 0-3; Ciaran Foley 0-2; Austin Duff 0-1.

Kilkenny CBS: Ryan Corcoran 0-5 (3 frees); Eanna O Casaide, Shane Culleton 1-0 each; Michael Stynes 0-2 (1 free); Greg Kelly (pen), Anthony Clifford, Patrick Lacey, Brian Moore 0-1 each.

With the finalists in Munster, Leinster & Connacht making up the All-Ireland series participants, the runners-up from those are joined by a provincial champion for a quarter final and on an annual rotational basis, it was Munster’s turn which left Nenagh with just a two week turnaround to come down from the high of their historic Harty Cup triumph.

They were full value for their win, although overcoming a sticky patch in the first half, an Eanna O Casaide goal on twenty minutes giving Kilkenny CBS the lead after Nenagh started on the front foot with Darragh McCarthy on target inside 25 seconds. However, the Nenagh skipper had an off-day from placed balls and five first half misses prevented the Munster champions from making their dominance count on the scoreboard.

They responded to the Kilkenny goal with one of their own from Danny Quinn in the 28th minute, set up by Austin Duff who once again made a massive impact off the bench. Points from McCarthy and Eoghan Doughan, who took over the free-taking duties gave Nenagh a 1-9 to 1-5 half time advantage.

The Munster champions kick on in the third quarter with Jake Hackett marshalling the defence well from centre-back while points from Ciaran Foley, McCarthy, the free-taking of Doughan and livewire sub John O’Dwyer pushed them 1-15 to 1-8 clear on the three-quarter mark.

Kilkenny CBS changed their approach and started running the ball at Nenagh and it yielded three points in a row, although one was from a penalty on 47 minutes when Greg Kelly’s shot rose after the bar after their best forward Ryan Corcoran was pulled down in the square.

The Leinster runners-up had momentum, but Eoghan Doughan responded with a timely point for Nenagh from play man of the match Mason Cawley chipped in with two from play.

They sealed the win on 54 minutes as Kilkenny made the mess of a short puckout with Doughan playing in Joe O’Dwyer for a goal, with fellow sub Darragh Treacy adding another in injury time, while Shane Culloten managed a consolation goal for Kilkenny CBS.

Nenagh CBS progress to the All-Ireland semi-final where they will play Connacht champions St Raphael’s College, Loughrea on March 2nd with St Kieran’s College Kilkenny awaiting the winners of tomorrows quarter final between Limerick’s Ardscoil Ris and Presentation Athenry of Galway.

TEAMS - 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 (12); Joe O’Dwyer (Burgess) for O’Connor (42); Darragh Treacy (Silvermines) for Quinn (50); Brian O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for Keller (54); Conor Cooney (Burgess) for McCarthy (58).

Kilkenny CBS: Daniel Power (James Stephens); Josh Dowling (Erins Own), Bobbie Brennan (Young Irelands), Donnacha Hennessey (Dicksboro); Michael Stynes (Dicksboro), Billy O’Neill (Graigue-Ballycallan), Matthew Bolger (St Martin’s); Alex Cass (Thomastown), Anthony Clifford (Dicksboro); Eanna O Casaide (Danesfort), Ryan Corcoran (Graigue-Ballycallan), Shane Culleton (St Patrick’s); Greg Kelly (O’Loughlin Gaels), Patrick Lacey (Dicksboro), Brian Moore (Dicksboro).

Subs: Patrick Purcell (Barrow Rangers) for Bolger (HT); Niall Drennan (Galmoy) for O Casaide (43); James Bergin (James Stephens) for Cass (46).

Referee: P Dunne (Laois).