Dr Harty Cup: De La Salle prove too strong for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire

De La Salle (Waterford) 3-26

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG 1-17

Slow starts in each half were costly as Gaelcholáiste Mhuire fell to defeat against De La Salle of Waterford in their TUS Dr Harty Cup opener at Ballinameela on Wednesday.

Down by 1-5 to 0-1 inside the opening nine minutes, the northside school improved as the first half went on and were back to within a point by the 21st minute. However, they never managed to get level and a four-point half-time lead for De La Salle – 1-12 to 1-8 – was solidified in the third quarter, during which they outscored ‘the AG’ by 1-6 to 0-3.

With St Colman’s College of Fermoy the only other school in the three-team Group 5, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire will not be in action again until November 20 but, whatever happens when De La Salle face Colman’s in three weeks, the all-Cork tie is likely to be must-win for both.

There were some bright spots to take, not least the 1-12 scored by Craig Ó Súilleabháin. It was his goal from a free 15 minutes that kick-started the revival, after Mark Hartley had earlier netted for De La Salle as well as proving accurate from frees. Prior to that, Darragh Ó Conaill had gone close to a first-minute goal for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire, firing just wide after a good Lúcás Ó Muirthile run.

Ó Súilleabháin’s strike left it 1-7 to 1-4 and further points from him meant that it was 1-8 to 1-7 with nine minutes left until half-time.

However, the AG were to score just once more before half-time, a nice Jamie Ó hÉigeartaigh effort, with Hartley and Adam Regan helping to push De La Salle four clear.

Colm Hartley, who had done well in a sweeping role for De La Salle, landed a big free on the resumption while Conor Tobin had two good points and it was 1-18 to 1-11 after 42 minutes before a superb Shane Power goal opened up daylight between the sides.

While Ó Conaill did draw a good save from De La Salle goalkeeper Ross Nolan not long after that, a comeback never looked likely. The AG did continue to send over points, mindful of the possibility of scoring difference coming into play down the line.

Among the scorers was centre-back Cian Ó Gealbháin with a fine effort, though he was sent off, perhaps harshly, on a second booking late on. From the resultant free, Mark Hartley set up Power for his second and De La Salle’s third goal and they had pushed 15 clear by the end,

Scorers for De La Salle: M Hartley 1-14 (0-9f), S Power 2-1, C Hartley 0-4 (0-2f), A Regan 0-3, C Tobin 0-2, J Shanahan, O Fives 0-1 each.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire: C Ó Súilleabháin 1-12 (1-7f, 0-2 65), J Ó hÉigeartaigh 0-2, L Ó Muirthile, J Ó Brosnacháin, C Ó Gealbháin 0-1 each.

DE LA SALLE: R Nolan ; A Furlong, F Cooney, A Dawson; J Power, C O’Sullivan, P Power; R Jacobm E Burke; O Fives, C Tobin, S Power; A Regan, M Hartley, C Hartley.

Subs: R Doherty for Jacob (43), J Shanahan for Fives (48), C Power for Burke (50), C O’Callaghan for S Power, O Power for J Power (both 58).

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE: J Ó Gabhláin (Glen Rovers); M Gayfer (Glen Rovers), C Ó Gealbháin (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh); G Ó Duibhir Ó hArrachtáin (Na Piarsaigh), C Ó Maonaigh (Na Piarsaigh), J Ó Brosnacháin (Glen Rovers); J Ó hÉigeartaigh (Whitechurch), E Ó Murchú (Mayfield); C Ó Briain (Whitechurch), C Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), S Ó Dálaigh (St Vincent’s); L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Conaill (Whitechurch), C Ó Riain (Carraig na bhFear).

Subs: E Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh) for Ó Murchú, C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh) for Ó Riain (both 36), T Ó Bruadau (St Vincent’s) for Ó Briain, E Mac Eochán (Glen Rovers) for Ó Conaill, G Ó Ceallacháin (Glen Rovers) for Ó Dálaigh (all 54).

Referee: A Kissane (Waterford).