O'Brien the hero as Ardscoil shake off Thurles to book Harty final spot

FINAL SPOT BOOKED: Eoin Begley, Ardscoil Ris, clearing the sliotar againts Darragh Kelly, Thurles CBS in the Harty Cup Semi Finals. Picture Brendan Gleeson

Harty Cup semi-finals

Ardscoil Rìs 0-18

Thurles CBS 1-14

A converted free, from the stick of Mark O’Brien, with the very-last puck of an enthralling Harty Cup semi-final, put Ardscoil Rís back into another decider. The result will feel particularly tough on CBS Thurles who had fought back from an eight point Seeking a first Harty Cup title since 2018, the Limerick school were far from their brilliant best at a windy Kilmallock. The county Limerick town played host to this contest and with the soft underfoot conditions worsening throughout, Liam Cronin will be glad his talented charges did enough to avoid a potentially gruelling extra-time period.

The winners weren’t afraid to use their bench, and it was one of those second-half subs, Patrick Kearney who was felled out wide for the winning score. Taking on his man in typical fashion, he was fouled which allowed O’Brien edge Ardscoil ahead, having led for the entirety of the first fifty minutes of this clash.

Thurles found themselves well behind in the early exchanges, as the first eight white flags went to the boys in black and red. Indeed, a point in each of the opening five minutes made for grim viewing for the Premier support, but they did eventually find their feet.

The returning Diarmuid Stritch, free-taker Danny Chaplin and wing-back Daniel Scully were all accurate, while Jamie Moylan was sweeping well in-front of a two-man Thurles full-forward line.

There was an opening score for CBS, when Cormac Fitzpatrick sent an effort over from 45 meters. He was to be their main threat all-afternoon. The sides would trade the next four scores evenly, with Ardscoil 0-10 to 0-3 ahead by the 21st minute. Euan Murray, one of the youngest on the pitch was on target from midway, while midfield partner James Doyle also found his range as Eamonn Buckley’s men showed good fight go inch closer.

It was 0-12 to 0-7 at half-time, with the sides equally sharing ten wides.

The next quarter was owned by Thurles. Outscoring their opponents by four points to one, they could have been much closer but five wides in ten minutes hindered further progress. Again Fitzpatrick was key, with Fintan Fitzgerald in reply for Ardscoil.

There was another run of four out of five to cut the gap to the minimum, this included another Murray long-range strike. The lead, for the first time, came with just five minutes remaining. Fitzpatrick finishing well after Bill Flanagan fed Jack Hayes who squared for the Drom and Inch clubman to bury to the net.

But, O’Brien, who assumed the free-taking in the second half, notched a 65 and a free to make it level entering stoppage time. Referee Nicky Barry allowed just over three minutes, with Kearney winning the free which O’Brien drilled through the wind to send the North Circular Road school into the decider which the contested in 2022, losing to St. Joesph’s Tulla.

Scorers for Ardscoil Rís: D Chaplin 0-6 (0-3 frees, 0-1 ’65); M O’Brien 0-4 (0-3 frees, 0-1 ’65); D Strich 0-3; D Scully, M Collins 0-2 each; F Fitzgerald 0-1.

Scorers for CBS Thurles: C Fitzpatrick 1-7 (0-5 frees); E Murray 0-3; R Ryan 0-2 (0-1 s/l); J Doyle, J Hayes 0-1 each.

ARDSCOIL RÍS: F O’Brien (Bruree); E Carey (Cratloe), S McMahon (Smith O’Briens), S Morrissey (Dromin-Athlacca); J Finn (Na Piarsaigh), J Moylan (Cratloe), D Scully (Dromin-Athlacca); R McNamara (Cratloe), M O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge); D Stritch (Clonlara), F Fitzgerald (Mungret St Paul’s), M Collins (Clonlara); D Chaplin (Sixmilebridge), M O’Brien (Cratloe), E Begley (Clonlara).

Subs: D Neville (Cratloe) for Begley (h-t); J Cosgrove (Ahane) for Chaplin (38); D Gleeson (Adare) for Scully (46); J O’Keeffe (Na Piarsaigh) for Carey (50); P Kearney for Collins (60).

CBS THURLES: H Loughnane (Roscrea); P Noonan (Thurles Sarsfields), E Morris (Holycross Ballycahill), J Lahart (Holycross-Ballycahill); K Loughnane (Durlas Óg), P O'Dwyer (Killenaule), E O'Dwyer (Boherlahan Dulla); E Murray (Durlas Óg), J Doyle (Holycross Ballycahill); D Costigan (Moycarkey Borris), D Kelly (Eire Óg Annacarty), B Flanagan (Moycarkey Borris); C Fitzpatrick (Drom & Inch), R Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), J Hayes (Moycarkey Borris).

Subs: R Bargary (Boherlahan Dualla) for Costigan (43); T Corbett (Upperchurch Drombane) for O’Dwyer (59).

Referee: N Barry (Waterford).