Nenagh CBS crush Rochestown in second round Harty Cup clash

TUS Corn Dr. Harty Cup - Group 4 - Round 2

Nenagh CBS 7-15 

St. Francis College Rochestown 1-12

By Ed Donnelly

Defending champions Nenagh CBS qualified for the knockout stages of the TUS Dr. Harty Cup with a comprehensive victory over St. Francis College Rochestown at Littleton on Wednesday afternoon.

What would transpire as a facile victory for Nenagh didn’t look likely early on as Rochestown scored three points in as many minutes after the throw-in to lead 0-3 to 0-1 – Mark O’Brien (2) and Brian Lynch with good scores from play. 

Tipperary minor Eoghan Doughan pointed three frees to put Nenagh in front before the Tipperary school turned over a short puckout, and Doughan set up Austin Duff for a goal in the 14th minute – 1-4 to 0-3. It was another turnover that cost Rochestown three minutes later when Brian O’Meara set up Joe O’Dwyer for Nenagh’s second goal. 

Boosted by these two scores, it was one-way traffic for Nenagh CBS in the second quarter and by the interval, they led by 2-10 to 0-4 – the only Rochestown response coming from a Mark O’Brien pointed free. 

Despite the 12-point deficit, Rochestown’s play improved significantly in the opening stages of the second half. After three unanswered points by Mark O’Brien (2 frees) and Ronan Dooley, St. Francis College gave themselves a lifeline when Brian Lynch found the Nenagh net in the 36th minute. 

Further Rochestown points by Odhran O’Donovan and O’Brien (free) left just six points between the teams after 40 minutes – 1-9 to 2-12. 

What happened in the next couple of minutes changed the complexion of the game. Firstly, Doughan was fouled near the goal, and he raised a green flag from the resultant penalty. In the next passage of play, Rochestown’s wing-back Diarmuid O’Donoghue picked up his second yellow card and was sent off. 

Given that points difference could come into play to determine the group winners following their draw with Midleton CBS in this three-team group, Nenagh CBS continued to press for additional goals. Further goals duly arrived courtesy of Joe O’Dwyer, Eoghan Doughan (free), and substitutes Eoin Garrigan and Eoin Grace and by the finish, Nenagh were 21 points to the good. 

Scorers: Nenagh CBS: E Doughan (2-7, 1-4f, 1-0 pen, 0-1 65); J O’Dwyer (2-2); A Duff (1-1); E Garrigan, E Grace (1-0 each); B O’Meara (0-2); B O’Donnell, D Treacy, E Jones (0-1 each).

St Francis College: M O’Brien (0-9, 0-5f); B Lynch (1-1); O O’Donovan, C Hanratty (0-1 each).

Nenagh CBS: Evan Sherlock (Kiladangan); Conor Grace (Burgess), Gavin McGrath (Kiladangan), Patrick Ryan (Borris-Ileigh); David Fogarty (Kiladangan), Brehon O’Donnell (Silvermines), Liam O’Callaghan (Portroe); Cian Hogan (Portroe), Dara O’Dwyer (Kiladangan); Shane Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall), Darragh Treacy (Silvermines); Austin Duff (Toomevara), Brian O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Joe O’Dwyer (Burgess).

Subs used: Dan McKelvey (Silvermines) for D O’Dywer (HT); Eoin Garrigan (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Hogan (49); Emmet Jones (Nenagh Éire Óg) for P Ryan (50), Paddy Hackett (Toomevara) for Cleary (55), Eoin Grace (Silvermines) for Duff (55).

St Francis College: N Duane (Douglas); J Mouret (Douglas), L Kelleher (Douglas), R Sisk (Crosshaven); D O’Donoghue (Douglas), D Reddington (Douglas), A Geary (Blackrock); B Lynch (Blackrock), F O’Keeffe (Blackrock); O O’Donovan (Passage), M O’Brien (Douglas), C Hanratty (Carrigaline); R Dooley (Douglas), S O’Keeffe (Douglas), T Lucas (Douglas).

Subs used: C Lowney (Tracton) for Geary (40); C Morrissey (Douglas) for Lucas (53).

Referee: Tom Loughnane (Gortnahoe-Glengoole)