Doherty to the fore once more as St Flannan's ease to vital Harty Cup victory

Harry Doherty's impressive 2-7 only tells part of the story, though, as there was impressive showings from Isaac Hassett, Darragh McNamara and Eoin O’Connor.

Clarecastle man Doherty looks likely to be a part of Brian Lohan’s broader plans in 2026, and it is easy to see why. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile

Harty Cup: St. Flannan’s College, Ennis 4-26 Cashel Community School 1-12

A scoring-blitz from St. Flannan’s College, Ennis, gave them a maiden victory in the 2025/26 Dr Harty Cup, swatting aside the challenge of Cashel Community School, as Harry Doherty was once more the star for the Clare side.

His impressive 2-7 only tells part of the story, though, as there was impressive showings from Isaac Hassett, Darragh McNamara and Eoin O’Connor.

Simply put, they had too much firepower for the Premier side, and it ensured three points from four, following an opening round tie with Nenagh CBS. This means it will be a winner-take-all clash with Limerick’s Ard Scoil Rís in a fortnight's time, with a draw now enough for this Brendan Bugler-coached side.

Doherty’s display was far from flawless. He was blocked down a handful of times, wasted the odd other shot but the teenager has gears that he showed time and again on the artificial surface at the University of Limerick’s North Campus.

His brace of second-half goals were naturally a highlight but when this game was still finding its feet in the early running, he clocked three points from play, in just about ninety seconds.

The Clarecastle man looks likely to be a part of Brian Lohan’s broader plans in 2026, and it is easy to see why. That scoring spurt, between the eighth and 10th minute, was part of seven Flannan’s points in just six minutes.

Also on target were Rory Ralph and Patrick Finneran, while Darragh McNamara intercepted a puck-out for a point. 

This left it 1-7 to 0-2 after 13 minutes, with the goal arriving after just two minutes when McNamara pulled a high delivery from the sky before beating the cover to find the net.

The early Cashel points came from Conor Fogarty and Charlie Hall but they used four free takers in the opening half, where they registered six wides, four from frees. Flannan’s, for their part, had eight wides.

The second half was even early on, before the goal from Ballyea’s Eoin O’Connor removed any doubt of a result. Key here was the creative influence of Hassett, who appears more of a link-man than a scorer in this side.

Doherty buried two more in the end, with Jason Keane Hayes among the subs eager to impress when introduced.

Cashel, for their part, kept fighting and were rewarded with a goal from Senan Mackey. They could have had two more, but for some fine saves from Leon Talty.

Flannan’s will have a sterner test next time out, but this will boost the belief and confidence after a mixed display against Nenagh on opening week.

Cashel will conclude their campaign against their cross-county peers, hoping to upset Nenagh, with their hopes of progress now gone.

Scorers for St. Flannan’s College, Ennis: H Doherty 2-7 (3f); E O’Connor 1-3; D McNamara 1-2; P Finneran 0-4; C Daly, J Keane Hayes, D Loftus 0-2 each; R Ralph, G Ball, I Hassett, J Barry 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cashel Community School: S Mackey 1-3 (3f); C Fogarty 0-2; C Hall (free), N O’Flynn, E Ryan, A Toomey, S Cooney, C Walsh, J Finn 0-1 each.

St. Flannan’s College, Ennis: L Talty (Doora-Barefield); D Murrihy (Inagh Kilnamona), S McNamara (Clooney-Quin), R Ralph (Clarecastle); D Ball (Doora-Barefield); J Cullinan (Ruan), C Daly (Doora-Barefield); G Ball (Doora-Barefield), I Hassett (Clooney-Quin); H Doherty (Clarecastle), P Finneran (Clooney-Quin), B Talty (Doora-Barefield); T O’Connor (Doora-Barefield), E O’Connor (Ballyea), Darragh McNamara (Clooney-Quin).

Subs: J Barry (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Talty (43); J Keane Hayes for Talty (45); J Murphy (Kilmaley) for Hassett (51); C Hill for Murrihy (59).

Cashel Community School: K O’Neill (Boherlahan-Dulla); R O’Mahoney (Fethard), N O’Flynn (Fethard), K Cully (Cashel King Cormacs); S Mackey (Knockavilla Kickhams), B O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs), Tommy O’Connor (Cashel King Cormacs); C Walsh (Fethard) W Colville (Rosegreen); C Hall (Golden Kilfeacle), S Cooney (Clerihan); C Fogarty (Golden Kilfeacle); E Ryan ((Cashel King Cormacs), T Mereacre (Cashel King Cormacs), H Fogarty (Golden Kilfeacle).

Subs: J Finn (Golden Kilfeacle) for Cully (inj – 26); A Toomey (Boherlahan Dulla) for H Fogarty (half-time); E Burke (Knockavilla Kickhams) for Mereacre (42).

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Limerick).