Dr Harty Cup: Heartbreak for Charleville as Nenagh strike late to win semi-final

St Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh 2-18

Charleville CBS 1-17

The history books will show that Nenagh’s St Joseph’s CBS advanced to the Dr Harty Cup final with a four-point win over Charleville CBS at Cappamore on Saturday.

The bare scoreline masks a lot of drama, especially the closing scenes. As the game tipped over into injury time, the spectre of extra time loomed as menacingly as the threat of rain from the darkening skies.

The sides were tied at 1-16 each, with Chris Dunne’s point – bringing his tally to 1-9 – answering Austin Duff’s score for Nenagh. Having led by six at half-time, Charleville saw that advantage wiped out against the wind in the second half but they battled back. However, when the Tipperay school won a free, the lead and a 13th point for the day for key man Darragh McCarthy seemed all but inevitable.

Initially, it looked as if that’s what had happened as the white flag was raised but a linesman overruled. The score was disallowed and tensions between the two benches rose.

As action resumed, Charleville’s Gareth Gleeson was fouled and goalkeeper Kieran Murphy came up to take the free. His shot stayed just inside the post and, with less of a stewards’ inquiry than McCarthy’s effort, Charleville were back in front.

Nenagh, who had won by four points when the sides met in the group stage, threw everything at it in the search for an equaliser. Corner-back Gavin McGrath launched a shot goalwards but it just ran out of legs – unfortunately for goalkeeper Murphy, he couldn’t claim it cleanly and another Nenagh sub, Darragh Treacy, bundled the loose ball home.

There was time for the other Darragh to add over an insurance point and Eoghan Doughan made sure of the win with a score at the death following a turnover as Charleville came out of defence.

The Nenagh supporters were in raptures, while the rain that came as the game ended was in sympathy with Charleville’s deflation.

After eliminating holders Cashel CS before Christmas and then Midelton CBS in the quarter-finals, they had come so close to another win against the odds.

The North Cork side had won the toss and opted to play the wind – it helped them to a half-time lead of six points, a welcome advantage but one that could have been even greater.

Chris Dunne, the MVP in the quarter-final win over Midleton CBS, picked up where he left off with a haul of 1-7 in the opening period. That was more than Nenagh managed, stymied by a poor start.

It took Charleville some time to harness the natural resources behind them as they shot early wides, they settled with a pair of Dunne points sandwiching a Gareth Gleeson effort.

When Seán Bresnan – part of a strong half-back unit – set up midfielder Turlough O’Neill, it was 0-4 to 0-0 and things got even better as inspirational centre-back Bill Collins combined with Eoin O’Mahony to set Dunne away in the 11th minute. An easy point could have resulted but instead he drilled a low shot to the net.

McCarthy – who started in the full-forward line but was moved to a deeper role, exerting more influence – did open their account with a free, but Charleville hit back with a pair from O’Mahony, Bresnan involved in both.

Nenagh were always likely to improve and they did, with Danny Quinn going close to a goal, but Dunne’s fifth point left Charleville comfortable at 1-10 to 0-5 on 26. However, from the next play, Nenagh grabbed a goal – Duff’s shot fell short but caused confusion in the Charleville defence and Aodhán O’Connor nipped in divert the ball to the net.

They might have edged even closer by half-time, but two late Dunne points ensured Charleville had that six-point interval advantage.

McCarthy pointed within nine seconds of the restart and that set the tone as Nenagh dominated the third quarter. Six straight points had them level and when full-back Cian Connolly launched a clearance after fine defensive work, another free accrued and McCarthy had them in front for the first time.

All through their campaign, Charleville had refused to panic and that was shown again as Murphy levelled with a free. From there, it was a case of McCarthy exchanging points with Dunne or Murphy until the tense climax in injury time.

Scorers for St Joseph’s CBS: D McCarthy 0-13 (0-9f), D Treacy, A O’Connor 1-0 each, E Doughan 0-2, J Mulcahy, D Quinn, A Duff 0-1 each.

Charleville CBS: C Dunne 1-9 (0-5f), K Murphy 0-3f, E O’Mahony 0-2, G Gleeson, J Hickey, T O’Neill 0-1 each.

ST JOSEPH’S CBS: S Grace; C Grace, C Connolly, G McGrath; J Doran, J Hackett, A Hoolan; C Foley, M Cawley; J Mulcahy, E Doughan, Z Keller; A O’Connor, D McCarthy, D Quinn. Subs: A Duff for Keller (24, injured), D Treacy for Mulcahy (47).

CHARLEVILLE CBS: K Murphy (Newtownshandrum); N Tobin (Bruree), T McCarthy (Newtownshandrum), F O’Sullivan (Ballyhea); S Bresnan (Charleville), B Collins (Newtownshandrum, Capt), S Byrne (Ballyhea); R Troy (Newtownshandrum), T O’Neill (Newtownshandrum); L O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), E O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), C Dunne (Dromina); G Gleeson (Charleville), J Hickey (Ballyhea), P Daly (Ballyhea). Subs: B Kiely (Charleville) for Daly (22-28, temp), Kiely for Daly (54).

Referee: E Stapleton (Limerick).