HARTY CUP: Nenagh CBS pegged back late on as Flannan's strike late to earn a share of the spoils

TUS Dr Harty Cup - Group 1 - Round 1

St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh 1-21

St Flannan’s College 2-18

By Tom Clancy

A late-late trio of points denied St. Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh, an opening round win in the 2025/2026 Dr Harty Cup, as St. Flannan’s dug deep to ensure a stalemate in Limerick.

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Played at TUS Midwest in Moylish, the draw could yet be valuable in a group that also contains Árdscoil Rís of Limerick and Cashel Community School.

The Nenagh performance was fantastic in the opening half, which had them ten points to the good, but a dip, as well as an improved St. Flannan’s showing, meant they had to settle for the point.

The loss of goalscorer and captain Eoghan Doughan, at half-time, meant there was a certain level of ammunition missing in the second half. Doughan, and his teammates were in red-hot form in the first half. They registered 1-13 with just 0-6 in reply, as they played against a slight breeze.

Patrick McCormack, the team goalkeeper was among the scorers as they nailed nine perfect shots from the whistle. Included in here was the goal, from Doughan. The Moneygall man was sharp to profit on a turnover from a short puckout and this powerful tenth minute goal gave Donach O’Donnell’s side a five-point lead.

The looked sharp, efficient and hungry to deny one of the historically strong schools in the competition, who had shining lights in Harry Doherty and Thomas O’Connor.

By half-time, the margin was ten points with Patrick Hackett and Paul Cahalan key among the scorers, while Eanna Tucker and Patrick Ryan defined the tactics of the side, forcing errors and turnovers from the Flannan’s defence.

However, the loss of Doughan (hamstring) seemed to stunt the display of the side, though a resurgent Flannan’s emerged from the half-time dressing room.

Early points, three in fact, gave the Clare side belief. There was then a reply from Patrick Ryan who assumed free-taking duties.

The maiden Flannan’s goal came when their star, Harry Doherty, showed great aerial ability, in starting the move for the green flag. The ball eventually came to John Barry who drilled home. A six point game.

Another 1-5 from the men in white saw Nenagh under severe pressure, with the ship taking on serious water. The second goal, from Thomas O’Connor was bundled home after the ball dropped in the square.

However, the defiance shown by the Premier men should be celebrated, as they worked a few quality scores to hit five points in a row. Ryans frees as well as a find Eanna Tucker effort saw them leading by three going into stoppage time.

However, Doherty, from free and play, and then Patrick Finneran had the final say. Level, with four more points up for grabs.

Elsewhere in this group, Ardscoil Rís had too much for Cashel Community School, winning out 2-23 to 2-15.

Scorers for St. Joseph’s CBS Nenagh: Eoghan Doughan (1-5, 0-2f, 0-1 65); Patrick Ryan 0-5f; Paul Cahalan 0-3; Patrick Hackett, Eanna Tucker 0-2 each; Paddy McCormack 0-1f; Shane Cleary, Austin Duff, Liam McKeogh 0-1 each.

Scorers for St. Flannan’s College: Harry Doherty (0-8, 0-6f); Thomas O’Connor 1-2; Jack Barry 1-0; Patrick Finneran 0-3; James Cullinan, Conor Daly, Dara Kennedy, Eoin O’Connor, Darragh McNamara all 0-1 each.

St. Joseph’s CBS Nenagh: Patrick McCormack (Moneygall); Diarmuid Fogarty (Kiladangan), Daniel McKelvey (Silvermines), Cormac Kennedy (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Emmet Jones (Nenagh Éire Og), Dara O’Dwyer (Kiladangan), Shane Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Hugo Healy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Austin Duff (Toomevara); Patrick Hackett (Toomevara) Eoghan Doughan (C) (Moneygall), Paul Cahalan (Burgress); Patrick Ryan (Borrisoleigh), Luke McKeogh (Ballina), Eanna Tucker (N Éire Og).

Subs: Joe O’Dwyer (Burgess) for Doughan (HT, inj); Cillian Healy (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for Healy (39); Johnny Grace (Burgess) for McKeogh (44), Diarmuid O’Donoghue (Burgess) for Jones (58); Charlie Kennedy (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for Cahalan (61).

St. Flannan’s College: Leon Talty (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield); Darragh Murrihy (Inagh Kilnamona), Sean McNamara (Clooney Quin), Conor Hill (Ballyea); Darragh Ball (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield), James Cullinan (JC) (Ruan), Colm Daly (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield); Darragh Kennedy (Ballyea), John Barry (Inagh Kilnamona); Harry Doherty (JC) (Clarecastle), Patrick Finneran (Clooney Quin), Graham Ball (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield); Eoin O’Connor (Ballyea), Thomas O’Connor (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield), Darragh McNamara (Clooney Quin).

Subs: Rory Ralph (Clooney Quin) for Cahalan (HT); Ben Talty (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield) for E O’Connor (39); Isaac Hassett (Clooney Quin) for Hill (58).

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Limerick)

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