Nenagh CBS begin Harty Cup title defence with hard earned draw in Ballyagran

TUS Dr. Harty Cup - Group 4 - Round 1

Nenagh CBS 0-19

Midleton CBS 0-19

Nenagh CBS began the defence of their Dr. Harty Cup title with a hard-fought draw against Midleton CBS at Ballagran GAA grounds in Limerick on Wednesday afternoon, with a late point from Midleton substitute Adam Lee giving the sides a share of the spoils at full-time.

And it was a draw Nenagh were lucky to hold on for as their Cork opponents finished very strongly indeed, as Donach O’Donnell’s charges looked in control going into the final ten minutes as they led 0-18 to 0-14 by the 53rd minute.

However, Midleton never faltered and dominated the final ten minutes or so with James O’Leary and substitute Adam Lee bagging a brace of scores from play each, and even when Billy O’Brien put Nenagh a point in front in added time, the Cork school stayed coming and equalised late on to level the game and give the teams a share of the spoils.

Far from free flowing - as is usually the case at this time of the year - Nenagh CBS were playing within themselves with the sides going point for point in the opening quarter of the game with Eoghan Doughan the main source of scores for Nenagh in that time. 

Cork U20 hurler Barry Walsh was the main threat for MIdleton, mainly from frees, in that time and he very nearly set up a goal in the 11th minute for the Cork side; Evan Sherlock denied Peter Barrett from close range after a zipping effort from the angle.

The sides were all square at 0-7 apiece by the 19-minute mark, but Nenagh finished the half strongly with five of the last six points, four of those coming from Eoghan Doughan (three frees) and a fantastic effort from the full-back line by Conor Grace. 

Nenagh CBS leading 0-12 to 0-8 at the interval.

Looking to defend their crown, Nenagh have added real pedigree to their panel this year with Patrick Ryan and Shane Cleary in the starting team, and the latter impressed in the first half with two fine points but he was one of the few forwards to get into the scoring groove from play and it told in the second half.

Ill-discipline gave Eoghan Doughan ample opportunities in the first half and he had another free on the board within two minutes of the restart, responding to James O’Brien’s early score from the throw-in.

Evan Sherlock bagged a brilliant long-range free to make it 0-15 to 0-11 after 38 minutes and that four-point advantage was largely maintained in the next 15 minutes with Eoghan Doughan (free), substitute Joe O’Dwyer, and the busy Billy O’Brien all on target; Barry Walsh scores keeping Midleton in touch.

The energy levels were slowly dipping for Nenagh though as the 60th minute came into view and with some of the subs not making the impact required, Midleton got on top with James O’Leary forays into the attacking half ending with two points in the next five minutes and with Nenagh taking on water, the Cork lads equalised with two more efforts from James O’Brien and the impressive substitute Adam Lee. All square at 0-18 apiece with time in the red.

Shane Cleary was Nenagh’s best forward on the day and he managed to find a rare possession from a long Sherlock free in the 62nd minute and played a nice pass onto the overlapping Billy O’Brien who finished a lovely effort under pressure to regain the lead for Nenagh.

But it wasn’t stemming the flow going the other way as Midleton poured forward and eventually found their equaliser through a brilliantly take second from Adam Lee. 

Referee John Bugler gave the teams one more play to find a winner and it was Midleton who had the final attack but they were denied by some good scramble defence on the Nenagh 45 as the final whistle blew soon after; the game finishing in a draw.

Nenagh will be disappointed with the concession of the four-point lead in a winning position, but given this is a three team group, they will be relieved to have held on for the draw and they will play their final group game against St. Francis Rochestown on Wednesday, November 6th.

Nenagh CBS: Evan Sherlock (Kiladangan, 0-1f); Conor Grace (Burgess, 0-1), Gavin McGrath (Kiladangan), Patrick Ryan (Borris-Ileigh); Diarmuid Fogarty (Kiladangan), Brehon O’Donnell (Silvermines), Liam O’Callaghan (Portroe); Cian Hogan (Portroe, 0-1), Cormac Hoolan (Moneygall); Shane Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs, 0-2), Billy O’Brien (Nenagh Éire Óg, 0-3), Dara O’Dwyer (Kiladangan); Austin Duff (Toomevara), Darragh Treacy (Silvermines), Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall, 0-10, 0-9f).

Subs used: Joe O’Dwyer (Burgess, 0-1) for D O’Dwyer (41); Emmet Jones (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Hogan (52); Eoin Grace (Silvermines) for Duff (61); Eoin Garrigan (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Jones (63).

Midleton CBS: Fionn Murphy (Killeagh); Richie Harney (Dungourney), Cárthaigh Cronin (Midleton), Thomas Dunlea (Midleton); James O’Leary (Lisgoold, 0-2), Cillian O’Callaghan (Dungourney), Colm Garde (Lisgoold); James O’Brien (Cloyne, 0-3), Eoghan Fraser (Midleton); Conor Morley (Midleton), Ben Walsh (Killeagh, 0-1), Tadgh O’Donoghue Brosnan (Fr. O'Neiils, 0-1); Peter Barrett (Midleton, 0-2), Cian Stack (Midleton), Barry Walsh (Killeagh, 0-8, 0-6f).

Subs used: Adam Lee (St. Colmans, 0-2) for Stack (39); Liam Fitzgerald (St. Colmans) for Garde (52); Cormac Deane (Killeagh) for Ben Walsh (59); Fionn Daly (Dungourney) for Barrett (62).

Referee: John Bugler (Clare)