Last-gasp drama as Nenagh CBS denied Harty Cup victory by stunning late equaliser

TUS Dr Harty Cup - Round 2

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire 0-12

Nenagh CBS 0-12

The spoils were shared in a wet and windy Knocklong on Wednesday afternoon as Gaelcholáiste Mhuire and Nenagh CBS played out a 0-12 apiece draw in round two of the TUS Dr Harty Cup.

There was little to separate the sides throughout a contest played in difficult conditions, with the weather making shooting particularly challenging. Both schools were guilty of registering double figures in wides during what was a fiercely competitive nip-and-tuck battle in South Limerick.

It looked as though Micheál Hutchinson had landed the winning score for the North Tipperary men deep into injury time, but a long-range free from North Mon goalkeeper Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin, aided by the gale-force wind, ensured the sides shared the spoils ahead of their final round-robin fixtures in a fortnight’s time.

Toomevara sharpshooter KJ Dunne got CBS off the mark with a placed ball, while Callum Ó Cofaigh opened Gaelcholáiste Mhuire’s account at the other end. Johnny Grace and Seán de Búrca exchanged scores soon afterwards to leave the sides level at 0-2 apiece after a cagey opening quarter.

The remainder of the first half followed the same pattern, with both sides going score for score. Josh Moroney edged Nenagh ahead with a glorious effort in the sixth minute, only for Conchúr Ó Cuinneagáin to respond in kind. Jack Cahalane then followed up to put North Mon ahead for the first time.

That lead did not last long, however, as KJ Dunne pointed another placed ball. Séamus Ó Meachair and Dunne then exchanged scores to leave the sides level at 0-5 apiece as the half-time break approached.

Nathan Ó Cofaigh and Tom Boland traded points before Gaelcholáiste Mhuire opened up a two-point advantage for the first time. A brace of scores from Nathan Ó Cofaigh and another superb effort from Ó Cuinneagáin put the Leesiders in control, but KJ Dunne had the final say of the half, pointing another free to leave just the minimum between the sides at the interval.

The game continued in the same nail-biting fashion after the restart. Seán de Búrca pushed North Mon two points clear, only for KJ Dunne to demonstrate his class with a brace of sublime efforts, including one from close to the sideline, to bring the sides level at 0-9 apiece by the thirty-fifth minute.

The towering Ó Cuinneagáin landed his third point of the afternoon in trademark fashion, but another brace of Dunne frees edged Nenagh back in front with twelve minutes remaining. With both sides continuing to squander opportunities, it was not until the fifty-eighth minute that the next score arrived. Once again, Ó Cuinneagáin came to North Mon’s rescue, bringing the sides level at 0-11 apiece.

As the clock ticked into injury time, it appeared that Micheál Hutchinson had snatched a late winner with a score from a seemingly impossible angle. However, with the last shot of the game, Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin landed a monstrous free to ensure both sides left Knocklong with a share of the spoils.

Nenagh’s next assignment will be a meeting with unbeaten Ardscoil Rís in a fortnight’s time. Meanwhile, North Mon face a must-win clash in a Leeside derby against fellow winless side Midleton.

Scorers: Nenagh CBS: KJ Dunne (0-7, 0-5f), Johnny Grace, Josh Moroney, Tom Boland, Micheál Hutchinson all 0-1 each.

Gaelcholaiste Mhuire: Conchúr Ó Cuinneagáin 0-4, Nathan Ó Cofaigh 0-2, Callum Ó Cofaigh, Seán de Búrca, Jack Cahalane, Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin all 0-1 each.

Nenagh CBS: Shane O’Meara; Ruairi Hackett, Cormac Kennedy, James Heffernan; Johnny Grace, Hugo Healy, Eoin Kelly; Robert Horan, Tom Boland; Eanna Tucker, Dylan Sayers, Josh Moroney; KJ Dunne, Charlie Kennedy, Rian McGrath.

Subs used: James O’Dwyer for D Sayers (HT), Charlie Cairns for R Horan (35), Adam O’Callaghan for J Moroney (40), Michael Hutchinson for R McGrath (58).

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire: Gabhán Ó Ceallacháin; Evan Swan Kent, Stiofán Ó Laocha, Roibeard Ó Buachalla; Conchúr Ó Cuinneagáin, Ruairí Ó Caoinleáin, Micheál Mac an Ghaill; Séamus Ó Meachair, Callum Ó Cofaigh; Darragh de Barra, Nathan Ó Cofaigh, Rian Ó Croídheáin; Jack Ó Cathaláin, Seán de Búrca, Darragh Ó Cathasaigh.

Subs used: Jamie Ó Donnabháin for R Ó Croídheáin (50), Tomás Ó Murchú for J Ó Cathaláin (52).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)