HARTY CUP: Cashel Community School journey ends as Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG reach last four

Cashel Community School came up against a side with real momentum in Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG  at the UL North Campus all-weather pitch this afternoon and the Tipperary school, try as they might, were second best to the powerful Cork side who are the surprise package of the competition.

The game felt just out of Cashel's reach for most of the game and the freeflowing, energetic game they brought to games before Christmas wasn't in evidence as the Cork school held all the aces throughout.

A powerful half back line and the impressive distribution of the ball from Josh Brosnan along with the speedy Callum Coffey and Craig Ó Súilleabháin in the forwards was the difference in a game where the Cork school showed that they have grown significantly in confidence over the winter.

Cashel goalkeeper Eoghan Dunne was the busier of the two keepers and only for three top class second half saves from Ó Súilleabháin and Ó Cofaigh this game could have been over as a contest early in the second half. 

The game started with the Cork side powerful from the off playing with two inside and drawing back Jamie Ó hÉigeartaigh to the half back line from the corner forward berth. 

Along with Ó Brosnacháin he cleared early ball to set up scores for Jamie Ó hÉigeartaigh and Darragh Ó Conaill leaving them 0-4 to 0-2 up as the rain lashed down in the opening ten minutes. 

Charlie Hall made it a one-score game and while Sam Hall and Colm tried hard they couldn't find the space to build attacks for Cashel. 

Bríain O’Donoghue and Seamus Kennedy foraged hard for possession from scraps and it was O’Donoghue, through frees, that kept Cashel in the game by half time as the teams went in to the dressing rooms with the Cork side ahead 0-8 to 0-4. 

The Tipperary lads needed a good start to the second half but they couldn't find their distance with Eoin Ó Murchú and centre back Josh Ó Brosnacháin mopping up ball and putting in vital blocks and hooks. 

Craig Ó Suilleabháin, who struck thirteen points, was pulling the strings and when the Cork side went 0-12 to 0-6 clear as the rain restarted midway through the half, it felt like there was no way back for Cashel.

By now they couldn't find any room in the forwards and Craig Ó Suilleabháin and Coffey went for goals with Eoghan Dunne sharp in the goals Cashel were reliant on Noah O'Flynn along with Shane Cooney to clear ball time after time. 

In the end it felt like a weight was lifted off Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG as the 'North Mon' cruised back into the last four for the first time in three decades. 

Their manager Sean Óg Ó hAilpín spoke afterwards about how they had got a stern test from Cashel but overall he was delighted that his old school are back in pursuit of the cup they crave. They play St. Flannan's in the semi final. 

Cashel CS Scorers: B Ó Donoghue (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), C Hall (0-2), S Cooney, S Hall, C Bourke and C Fogarty (0-1 each).

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG Scorers: C Ó Suilleabháin (0-13, 0-8 frees, 0-1 65), E Ó Cróinín (0-2), C Ó Cofaigh, D Ó Conaill and G Ó Gealbháin (0-1 each).

Cashel CS: E Dunne (Cashel King Cormacs); R O’Mahony (Fethard), N O’Flynn (Fethard), T O’Driscoll (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams); S Mackey (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams), S Cooney (Clerihan), C Lonergan (Golden Kilfeacle); C Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs), S Hall (Golden Kilfeacle); C Hall (Golden Kilfeacle), B O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs), C Walsh (Fethard); C Bourke (Rosegreen, Capt), S Kennedy (Clonoulty Rossmore), R O’Sullivan (Clerihan).

Subs: W Colville (Rosegreen) for R O’Sullivan, C Fogarty (Boherlahan-Dualla) for C Walsh (both 47), B Gleeson (Boherlahan-Dualla) for C Lonergan, A Toomey ((Boherlahan-Dualla) for S Kennedy (both 58).

Gaelcolaiste Mhuire AG: J Ó Gabhláin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna); M Gayfer (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), C Ó Maonaigh (Na Piarsaigh), E Ó Murchú (Baile na mBocht); S Ó Dalaigh (Naomh Uinseann), J Ó Brosnacháin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), C Ó Gealbháin (Na Piarsaigh); E Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh); C Ó Briain (Teampall Geal), C Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh); C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Connaill (Teampall Geal), J Ó hÉigeartaigh (Teampall Geal, Capt).

Subs: C Ó Riain (Carraig na bhFear) for C Ó Briain (50), E Mac Eochán (Fánaithe an Ghleanna) for D Ó Conaill (55), T Ó Brudau (Naomh Uinseann) for J Ó hÉigeartaigh (57).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).