De La Salle edge out Thurles in Dean Ryan thriller

DLS Waterford 4-17Thurles CBS 3-19(after extra-time)

DE LA SALLE, Waterford and Thurles CBS served up one of the best colleges games for many a year in the Dean Ryan Cup semi-final at Ardfinnan yesterday.

Two superb teams, liberally sprinkled with a number of magnificent players, were level 11 times before the Waterford sideedged through by the narrowest of margins after extra-time.

DLS will meet Our Lady’s, Templemore in next Wednesday’s decider, probably at the same venue.

The winners had many heroes, particularly in defence where Jason Flood, Philip Mahony and Stephen Daniels were outstanding, especially in the closing minutes of extra-time when Thurles threw everything at them.

In attack, DLS were superbly served by the brilliant Gary Bambrick, who scored six sublime points from play; Peter McCarthy at full-forward, and Adam Brophy, whose free-taking was exemplary and earned him a goal and five points.

Thurles too were rich in talent. They had excellent players in centre-back James Barry, midfielder Denis Maher — arguably the best player on view — and forwards Kieran Morris, John O’Neill and David Butler.

Backed by the wind, DLS led after a minute but two evenly-matched sides were level four times in the opening half before Peter McCarthy’s goal in the 29th minute tied the game for the fourth time. The remaining minutes (two were added) were played out in a welter of excitement as DLS looked to give themselves a bit of a cushion as they turned to face the strong wind.

However, a resolute Thurles defence held firm and DLS had to be content with two excellent points by Gary Bambrick, which left his side 1-10 to 2-5 in front at the break.

There was no let-up after the break and Thurles wasted little time drawing level before Diarmuid Fogarty gave them the lead for the first time with a point.

But back came DLS and, as the tension mounted, the sides were level four more times before Thurles put daylight between the teams with three unanswered points, two in-a-row by Aidan McCormack, as the game went in injury-time.

There was still a kick left in DLS however and Adam Brophy’s well struck 65 ended up in the Thurles net off the hands of their centre-back James Barry. The referee called for 20 minutes extra-time from the puckout.

It’s to the great credit of both teams that they had the energy to serve up more of the same in the extra period, but the game took a dramatic turn in DLS’s favour with two goals in two minutes, by Paidi Mahony and substitute Enda Loughman, which helped their side to a four point lead at the end of the first period.

However, Thurles refused to wilt and the second period of extra-time was as good as you’d get in any match. They pounded the DLS defence looking for goals, and Denis Maher was inches away with a powerful drive. The goal when it did come, from Kieran Morris, was too late to save the game.

Scorers – DLS Waterford: A. Brophy 1-5 (1-4 frees, 0-1 65); G. Bambrick 0-6; P. McCarthy, P. Mahony, E. Loughman 1-0 each; N. Clifford 0-4; M. Wise 0-1.

Thurles: D. Butler 1-5 (0-4 frees); K. Morris 1-3; A. McCormack 0-4; D. Fogarty 1-1; J. O’Neill, J. Barry 0-2 each; Denis Maher, M. Russell 0-1 each.

WATERFORD DLS: S. O’Keeffe; MJ Kinsella, J. Flood, B. Norris; P. O’Mahony, S. Daniels, E. Lyons; M. Wyse, K. Fitzgerald; H. Barnes, N. Clifford, G. Bambrick; P. Mahony, P. McCarthy, A. Brophy.

Subs. E. Loughman for Kinsella; J. Ruddle for Fitzgerald; D. Murray for Loughman.

THURLES CBS: P. Ryan; J. Shortall, S. Harty, S. Maher; M. Doyle, J. Barry, M. Bracken; M. Russell, Denis Maher; K. Morris, K. Greene, A. McCormack; D. Fogarty, J. O’Neill, D. Butler.

Sub: David Maher for Fogarty.

Referee: M. Meade (Ballylanders).