Nenagh CBS pull away from battling Cashel to book Dean Ryan Cup semi-final spot
County minor KJ Dunne leads the charge with 1-11 as a strong second-half display sees Nenagh overcome a spirited Cashel Community School challenge at The Ragg
Dean Ryan Cup (U17) Munster PPS Hurling Quarter-Final
Nenagh CBS 2-21
Cashel Community School 1-17
A strong second-half performance by Nenagh CBS carried them to a comfortable, if somewhat flattering, seven-point victory over Cashel Community School in the quarter-final of the Dean Ryan Cup, Munster Colleges Junior Hurling Championship, at The Ragg on Wednesday last.
For most of the way, there was no sign of the comfort Nenagh enjoyed at the finish, a goal by county minor KJ Dunne in injury time swelling the winning margin. It came immediately after relentless Cashel pressure finally yielded the goal they chased through the last quarter, but without success. Had the Cashel goal come earlier, there might have been a different conclusion.
It was a fine contest all the way. Despite conceding an early goal to Nenagh’s Adam Quigley off a KJ Dunne free after two minutes, Cashel were the superior side in the first half.
Ben Fitzgerald’s accuracy from placed balls saw them go 0-6 to 1-1 by the end of the first quarter before KJ Dunne led a Nenagh recovery for parity (1-5 to 0-8) after twenty-five minutes. Cashel again pushed three clear, but Nenagh rallied once more, and at half-time the sides were level, 1-9 to 0-12.
The second half saw Nenagh raise the tempo of their game. KJ Dunne was again their inspiration as they went 1-15 to 0-15 clear by the three-quarter stage. Five Nenagh points to a sole reply from Cashel pushed the Nenagh lads into a commanding position (1-20 to 0-16) with time running out.
Cashel mounted a fierce onslaught in the closing minutes, which yielded a Cian Fogarty goal early in injury time, but from the puck-out, Nenagh attacked and KJ Dunne set the seal on their win with their second goal.
It was an impressive showing by the Nenagh boys, which should give them great confidence going forward to the semi-final.
There is a lot of talent in the side, with county minor KJ Dunne leading the way. Michael Hutchinson was also very impressive in attack, with Tadhg Teefy, Ronan Quinn, Craig McKenna and Adam Quigley others to turn in top-drawer performances.
Cashel seemed to lose their way somewhat in the second half but were never out of touch. The goal they needed to ignite their challenge in the second half eluded them until too late in the game. While disappointed at their defeat, they can hold their heads high after a fine performance.
Midfielder Ben Fitzgerald was the driving force behind the team, his accuracy from placed balls crucial to their challenge. Bobby McLoughlin, Cillian Byrne, Jude Griffin and Cian Fogarty also caught the eye.
Scorers: Nenagh CBS: KJ Dunne (1-11, 0-6f), Michael Hutchinson 0-6, Adam Quigley 1-2, Donagh Carmody, James O’Dwyer 0-1 each
Cashel Community School: Ben Fitzgerald (0-10, 0-8f), Cian Fogarty 1-0, Jude Griffin 0-3, Bobby McLoughlin 0-2, Cillian Byrne, Harry Ryan 0-1 each.
Nenagh CBS: Shane O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Daniel Boland (Kiladangan), Callum Ryan (Toomevara), Harry Walsh (Nenagh Éire Óg); Tadhg Teefy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Craig McKenna (Portroe), Ronan Quinn (Nenagh Éire Óg); Oisín Hogan (Burgess), Joe Fahey (Templederry Kenyons); Kristers Janitens (Nenagh Éire Óg), James O’Dwyer (Kiladangan), Fionn O’Shaughnessy (Silvermines); Michael Hutchinson (Kilruane MacDonaghs), KJ Dunne (Toomevara), Adam Quigley (Nenagh Éire Óg).
Subs used: Oliver Duff (Toomevara) for Fahey (19); Donagh Carmody (Kiladangan) for Janitens (39); Senan O’Leary (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for O’Shaughnessy (43).
Cashel Community School: Cian Buckley (Knockavilla Kickhams); David Colville (Rosegreen), Scott Underwood (Cashel King Cormacs), Adam O’Halloran (Cashel King Cormacs); Jude Griffin (Clerihan), Bobby McLoughlin (Boherlahan Dualla), Matthew McGrath (Rockwell Rovers); Ben Fitzgerald (Cashel King Cormacs), Robert Kelly (Cashel King Cormacs); Cian Fogarty (Boherlahan Dualla), Shane Butler (Knockavilla Kickhams), Cillian Byrne (Golden Kilfeacle); MJ Kennedy (Cashel King Cormacs), Cathal Bonnar (Cashel King Cormacs), Harry Ryan (Boherlahan Dualla).
Subs used: Niall Quinlan (Boherlahan Dualla) for O’Halloran (37); Will Lonergan (Knockavilla Kickhams) for Kelly (40).
Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport)