Harty Cup: St Joseph’s Secondary School Tulla secure quarters spot with win over eliminated Christians

“It was a treacherous match for us," admitted Tulla manager Terence Fahy.

HARD FOUGHT: CBC'S Michael Quill getting the better of Harry Nolan. Pic: Dan Linehan.

St Joseph’s Secondary School Tulla 2-21 Christian Brothers College Cork 1-13

St Joseph’s Secondary School Tulla sealed top spot in Group 4 of the TUS Dr Harty Cup in Kilmallock on Wednesday and moved to the January quarter-finals along with Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore, who finished second in the group.

Christian Brothers College were already knocked out of the competition before any ball was struck. They were competitive for three-quarters of the hour, but Tulla signed off in style outscoring them 1-7 to 0-3 in the fourth quarter.

Unbeaten in their group, victorious manager Terence Fahy said it was a game fraught with danger because CBC were out of the running.

“It was a treacherous match for us, we were in a similar situation last year when we got knocked out by Charleville who were already out. The lads prepared well and we are very happy to get over this game, we have two wins in-a-row now. We haven’t been in the knockout stages in a couple of years.”

Matthew Corbett led the scoring charts registering 11 points, four from play. His midfield colleague and captain Michael Vaughan returned 1-2, his goal was fired amid the final flourish in the second-half.

“Matthew got some super scores, one particular in the first half off his knees, incredible. But he’s been doing that all through the competition. He is one of our big leaders and is in his final year, so he is hurling great stuff.”

CBC, with the wind, started impressively and went 1-2 to 0-1 up when Darragh Rowley got the ball over the line in the third minute.

CBC's Darragh Rowley getting his goal past the St Joseph's Tulla keeper Patrick Murphy. Pic: Dan Linehan.

What followed was a dominant spell from St Joseph’s and they started to pick off points that would draw them level after 16 minutes, 1-4 to 0-7.

As well as their midfield pairing of Corbett and Vaughan, Jerry O’Connor and Cathal Leamy found the range - one of Vaughan’s efforts skimmed over the bar.

Cian Lawton grabbed his second point to edge CBC in front.

When Corbett’s delivery dropped short of the end line, James O’Donell kept the sliotar in play and applied the perfect finish for his side to lead for the second time on 18 minutes, 1-7 to 1-5.

A goal chance then at either end got away, as Tulla saw out the half 1-9 to 1-7 ahead - CBC left to rue some wasteful shooting.

The champions of 2022 opened up a six-point advantage midway through the second half.

The scores dried up for CBC, as they introduced all five subs.

St Joseph’s continued to pile on the scores. With one eye on the Gaelcholáiste Mhuire and Our Lady’s Templemore match, scoring difference could come into play.

However, they didn’t need to worry with Our Lady's coming out on top. Vaughan’s late goal - set up by Aodhán O’Driscoll - put Tulla safely into the last eight draw.

CBC have the Dean Ryan Cup final to look forward to on December 1 against Ardscoil Rís. They rested those players today.

Scorers for St Joseph’s SS: M Corbett (0-11, 0-7 frees), M Vaughan and J O’Donnell (1-2 each), C Leamy (0-2), Ó Perill, J O’Connor, A O’Driscoll and L Murphy (0-1 each).

Scorers for CBC: E O’Shea (0-6, 0-1 free), D Rowley (1-0), C Lawton (0-3, 0-1 free), M T Brosnan, M Quill, M O’Mahony and S Hurley (0-1 each).

ST JOSEPH’S SS: P Murphy (Tulla); C Maxted (Clooney-Quin) E Cooney (Tulla), D Greene (Broadford); H Nolan (Tulla) R Hayes (Tulla), L Moroney (Tulla); M Corbett (Clooney-Quin), M Vaughan (Broadford, Capt); Ó Perill (Crusheen), J O’Connor (Clooney-Quin), C Leamy (Clooney-Quin); A O’Driscoll (Broadford), J O’Donnell (Broadford), L Murphy (O’Callaghan Mills).

Subs: M McGrath (Clooney-Quin) for H Nolan (54).

CBC: K Flood (Ballygarvan); J Costello (Clonakilty), D Riordan (Kilworth) D Kingston (Mallow J-Capt); M T Brosnan (Glen Rovers), C Connolly (Glen Rovers), S Brislane (Inniscarra); C Lawton (Midleton) J Murray (St Finbarr’s); M Quill (Blackrock) L Cregan (Douglas), J Hegarty (Ballinora, J-Capt); D Rowley (Blarney), M O’Mahony (Bishopstown), E O’Shea (Ballinhassig).

Subs: M Murphy (Midleton) for C Connolly, S Hurley (Éire Óg) for J Murray, J O’Mahony (Glen Rovers) for D Rowley (all 40), D Holland (Inniscarra) for J Hegarty, C O’Flynn (Blarney) for M O’Mahony (both 47).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).