Dr Harty Cup: Lucky 13 for Craig Ó Súilleabháin as Gaelcholáiste Mhuire progress to semi-finals

Mon, 13 Jan, 2025 - 14:42

Denis Hurley

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG 0-18

Cashel CS 0-10

Craig Ó Súilleabháin scored 13 points as Gaelcholáiste Mhuire secured a first TUS Dr Harty Cup semi-final appearance in 29 years as they saw off Cashel CS at UL North Campus on Monday afternoon.

Cian Ó Gealbháin of Gaelcholáiste gets away from Cashel's Ryan O'Sullivan. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The AG never trailed at any stage – indeed, bar the early stages where the sides were tied at 0-1 each and 0-2 each, the city side were always in front.

Beyond the scoring exploits of Ó Súilleabháin, the northsiders had excellent performers throughout the field. With number 15 Jamie Ó hÉigeartaigh operating in a deep role to bolster a strong defence where centre-back Josh Ó Brosnacháin was excellent, there was space to exploit inside. Callum Ó Cofaigh and Darragh Ó Conaill both provided strong running leading to fouls, with Ó Súilleabháin able to convert more often than not.

Gaelcholiste Mhuire supporters celebrate. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Leading by 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time, they never let that lead contract any smaller in the second half and eased clear in the closing stages, unlucky not to garland the display with a goal – Cashel goalkeeper Eoghan Dunne making a number of good saves.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire moved 0-4 to 0-2 in front early on and, though Charlie Hall briefly interrupted the flow with a good turnover point for Cashel, the winners responded with four points in a row, the hardworking Eoin Ó Cróinín with one of them while Ó Brosnacháin’s great run led to Ó Súilleabháin’s fifth.

At the other end, they did need a good block from corner-back Micheál Gayfer on a Hall goal effort for Cashel but, despite leaving other opportunities short into the hand of Cashel goalkeeper Dunne, they were good value for an 0-8 to 0-3 advantage as half-time neared.

Callum Ó Cofaigh of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire holds possession under pressure from Cashel CS's Noah O'Flynn. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Briain O’Donoghue did cut the gap slightly for Cashel but the AG almost ended the half with a goal, Lucas Ó Muirthile with a surging run but his pass was just beyond Darragh Ó Conaill.

An excellent Cian Ó Gealbháin point extended the lead on the restart and, though O’Donoghue had a Cashel point in reply, it was the last time that the margin was so small.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire manager Tómas Manning. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Two from Ó Súilleabháin, one a free, sandwiched a lovely Conaill point as the AG pushed seven ahead and, after Sam Hall responded for Cashel, the ever-threatening Ó Cofaigh might have had a goal, denied by a fine Dunne save on 44 minutes.

After four more points had been evenly shared, the goalkeeper pulled off another good stop from the same player on 52 while Ó Súilleabháin also had a goal effort repelled, but even without a green flag, the AG had the momentum.

Ó Súilleabháin’s sights were in as he continued to edge them further ahead, with Cashel sub Conor Fogarty conjuring their only response in the final seven minutes plus stoppages. Having defended so well throughout, the AG ensured that the sheet remained clean until the end and now they look forward with excitement to a semi-final - and maybe even a first title since 1994.

Lúcás Ó Muirthile of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire celebrates at the final whistle. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Scorers for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG: C Ó Súilleabháin 0-13 (0-8 f, 0-1 65), E Ó Cróinín 0-2, C Ó Cofaigh, C Ó Gealbháin, D Ó Conaill 0-1 each.

Cashel CS: B O’Donoghue 0-4 (0-3 f, 0-1 65), C Hall 0-2, S Cooney, S Hall, C Bourke, C Fogarty 0-1 each.

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AG: J Ó Gabhláin (Glen Rovers); M Gayfer (Glen Rovers), C Ó Maonaigh (Na Piarsaigh); E Ó Murchú (Mayfield); S Ó Dálaigh (St Vincent’s), J Ó Brosnacháin (Glen Rovers), C Ó Gealbháin (Na Piarsaigh); E Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh); C Ó Briain (Whitechurch), C Ó Súilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh); C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Conaill (Whitechurch), J Ó hÉigeartaigh (Whitechurch).

Subs: C Ó Riain (Carraig na bhFear) for Ó Briain (49), E Mac Eochán (Glen Rovers) for Ó Conaill (55), T Ó Brudau (St Vincent's) for Ó hÉigeartaigh (57).

CASHEL CS: E Dunne; R O’Mahony, N O’Flynn, T O’Driscoll; S Mackey, S Cooney, C Lonergan; C Ryan, S Hall; C Hall, B O’Donoghue, C Walsh; C Bourke; S Kennedy, R O’Sullivan.

Subs: W Colville for O'Sullivan, C Fogarty for Walsj (both 48), B Gleeson for Lonergan, A Toomey for Kennedy (both 58).

Re feree: J Murphy (Limerick).