Cashel Community School off to a winning start in their first round Dr. Harty Cup clash

TUS Dr. Harty Cup - Group 3 - Round 1

Cashel Community School 3-15

Charleville CBS 0-18

Cashel Community School kicked off their TUS Dr Harty Cup journey in impressive fashion with a victory over CBS Charleville in Ballyporeen Nati on Wednesday afternoon.

First-half goals from Ryan O’Sullivan and Briaín O’Donoghue, along with Seamus Kennedy’s composed finish in the second half, gave the Tipperary side the upper hand as they avenged last year’s quarter-final loss to their Cork opponents.

This was a very composed and impressive first round showing from Cashel who have a nice spread of clubs across two divisions in their side, and they will be a tough proposition for any team as the competition progresses.

Charleville’s chances of advancing from Group 3 were dealt a further blow in the final minute when their star forward, Chris Dunne, who had racked up a remarkable 0-15 (including five points from play), was shown a straight red card by referee and former Tipperary hurler Conor O’Brien..

Dunne had already accumulated 0-6 by the end of the first quarter, including four well-struck frees from distance and two excellent points from play. 

However, despite his impressive scoring, Cashel were the team who had a bigger spread of threats and in the fourth-minute, a goal from Seamus Kennedy and a brilliant point from corner-back Tom O’Driscoll helped Cashel take a 1-4 to 0-6 lead.

Dunne was the main scorer for Charleville in contrast, Briaín O’Donoghue (brother of Oisin) goaled just before halftime ensured Cashel held a 2-7 to 0-10 advantage at the break.

Both teams exchanged points early in the second half before Cashel, driven by captain Colin Bourke, pulled away with three unanswered points. 

Chris Dunne managed to narrow the gap with two more frees, but his efforts were not enough as Kennedy’s second-half goal extended Cashel’s lead to 3-15 to 0-14 by the 49th minute.

While Charleville showed fighting spirit, reducing the deficit to six points in the final minutes, their comeback hopes were dashed when Dunne was sent off in the game’s final moments. Cashel’s defense held firm, securing a well-earned victory.

Cashel will be delighted to have gotten their campaign off to a winning start, as they physically dominated a very young Charleville team who were missing ten players from the starting team that pushed Nenagh CBS close in a semi-final.

Group 4 contains four teams and Cashel will next face 2022 Dr. Harty Cup champions St. Joseph’s Tulla on Wednesday, November 6th.

Blackwater Community School got the better of the Clare school in the other game of the group, winning out on a scoreline of 2-16 to 0-20.

Cashel Community School: Eoghan Dunne (Cashel King Cormacs); Rory O’Mahony (Fethard), Noah O’Flynn (Fethard), Tom O’Driscoll (Knockavilla Kickhams, 0-1); Charlie Walsh (Fethard), Shane Cooney (Clerihan), Colm Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs); Sam Hall (Golden Kilfeacle, 0-1), William Colville (Rosegreen); Charlie Hall (Golden Kilfeacle, 0-2), Briain O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs, 1-2), Kevin Hogan (Golden Kilfeacle); Colin Bourke (Rosegreen, 0-7, 0-5f), Seamus Kennedy (Clonoulty Rossmore, 1-2), Ryan O’Sullivan (Clerihan, 1-0).

Subs used: Cian Lonergan (Golden Kilfeacle) for O’Mahony (23); Conor Fogarty (Boherlahan Dualla) for Hogan (42); Jamie Moloney (Golden Kilfeacle) for Walsh (56); Eimhin Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs) for O’Sullivan (56); Harry Fogarty (Golden Kilfeacle) for O’Driscoll (56).

Charleville CBS: Dylan Barrett (Ballyhea); Aidan Liddy (Charleville), Ewan Keating (Newtownshandrum), Cian O’Flynn (Charleville); Sean Byrne (Ballyhea), Sean Bresnan (Charleville, 0-1), Daniel Collins (Newtownshandrum); Turlough O’Neill (Newtownshandrum, 0-1), Billy Kiely (Charleville); Tom Horgan (Grenagh Ballingarry), Chris Dunne (Newtownshandrum, 0-15, 0-11f), Ben Jordan Reidy (Newtownshandrum, 0-1); Patrick Daly (Ballyhea), Daniel Mackessey (Ballyhea), Ben Farrissey (Dromina).

Subs used: Adam Roche (Charleville) for Farrissey (46).

Referee: Conor O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty)