Thurles CBS defeated John the Baptist Hospital by 0-16 to 0-11 in the Dr. Harty Cup Quarter-Final Replay on Saturday January 19th at Dundrum.
Thurles CBS are through to the semi-final of the Harty Cup following a hard-earned victory over John the Baptist Hospital on Saturday afternoon at Dundrum.
Set in dry, calm and overcast conditions, throw-in was delayed for 10 minutes as a huge crowd descended on the West Tipperary town for this re-match of these two well drilled sides.
After a 66 score thriller 10 days previously which finished level after extra extra time, this replay proved to be a far cagier affair. While the forwards had the better of proceedings in the drawn game, players at this level will make the necessary adjustments to restrict their direct opponents and so it proved. Both sets of defences would be on top from an early stage on this occasion as some of the free scoring forwards from the drawn match found it more difficult to find space to get scores.
The game opened with two quick Thurles points, both from play by Paddy Creedon and Max Hackett. Hospital were doing well at the back but were struggling to make any impression up front and after a few bad wides, they had a good goal chance in the 11th minute. Dylan O’Shea caught a high ball in the half-forward line, broke through the Thurles rearguard and passed to Brian O’Grady. The Hospital captain looked sure to raise a green flag but instead Thurles goalie Kevin Bracken raced from his line to smother the shot. Dylan O’Shea opened Hospital’s account soon afterwards and two further pointed frees by the same player left the sides level by 0-3 to 0-3 after 17 minutes.
Hospital were playing the better hurling at this stage but missed nine first half scoring chances and failed to score from play in this period which was a significant barrier to their chances. Thurles on limited possession hit the front again with a pointed free by Devon Ryan in the 21st minute and a Paddy Creedon point from play soon afterwards. Dylan O’Shea would add another pointed free in the 24th minute but two further pointed frees by Devon Ryan ensured Thurles would lead by three points at half-time, 0-7 to 0-4.
Hospital got their first point from play in the 34th minute courtesy of midfielder Patrick Reale before another midfielder, Kieran Moloney, got on the scoresheet a minute later to restore the three-point lead for the Thurles side. Hospital were again having the better of the exchanges at this stage and though Eoin Purcell scored a point from play for Thurles, the Limerick side were now keeping the scoreboard ticking over and points from Dylan O’Shea (2 frees), Brian O’Grady and Michael Martin brought the sides level at 0-9 to 0-9 after 41 minutes.
Devon Ryan restored the Thurles advantage with a pointed free before Hospital got through for another clear goal chance as Brian O’Grady’s shot was saved by Thurles goalie Kevin Bracken who in turn averted the rebound from incoming attackers to keep a clean sheet. Referee Damian Fox had played a good advantage and Dylan O’Shea pointed the close range free which followed to bring the sides level at 0-10 to 0-10 at the end of the third quarter.
The game looked set for a grandstand finish but instead the scores dried up for Hospital as the Thurles rearguard put in an impressive final quarter. Max Hackett put Thurles in front with a point from play followed by points from substitute Luke Cashin and a Devon Ryan free to extend the lead to three points, 0-13 to 0-10. While Dylan O’Shea reduced the deficit with a pointed free in the 51st minute, the Limerick side were making little impression on the scoreboard from general play and Thurles rounded out the scoring with three unanswered points from Devon Ryan (2) and Luke Cashin to run out winners by five points, 0-16 to 0-11. In second half injury time, following an off-the-ball scuffle, red cards were shown to Thurles substitute Eoin Morris and Hospital’s Mark Quinlan.
Thurles CBS will now go forward to play CBC Cork next Saturday in the Harty Cup semi-final, a re-match of a group game played in November when CBC won by 15 points. Both schools have had difficult quarter-finals since then and this semi-final is sure to be a closer affair.
Hospital – D O’Shea 0-8 (8F), P Reale 0-1, B O’Grady 0-1, M Martin 0-1.
Subs: L Cashin for J Lanigan (10m), J Leamy for K Moloney (44m), E Morris for F Hanafin (49m), J Morrissey for D Flood (56m), J Taylor for P Creedon (59m).
Subs: P Morrissey for A O’Heney (46m), C Burke for M Martin (55m), A McNamara for R Tobin (59m).