Nenagh come from behind to overcome Charleville to reach Harty Cup final

FINAL BOUND: Gareth Gleeson, Charleville CBS, having his blocked by Gavin McGrath St Joseph CBS Nenagh in the harty Cup Semi Final. Pictrue: Brendan Gleeson

TUS Dr Harty Cup semi-finals

Nenagh CBS 2-18

Charleville CBS 1-17

Never-say-die Nenagh CBS are through to the TUS Dr Harty Cup final for the first time since 2012. When these two sides met in the opening round in October they had the upper-hand by four points, and they maintained that same advantage in Cappamore on Saturday afternoon to cement their place in the prestigious Munster PPS U19A hurling decider when they will seek a historic first title.

The Group D winners have gone from strength-to-strength, and while it took them a while to get going in this semi-final, a powerful wind-assisted second-half led by outstanding captain Darragh McCarthy (0-13) saw them home.

Having trailed 1-12 to 1-6 at the interval, the contest ended in a welter of excitement as Nenagh CBS could have paid a price for what looked to be a controversial call when they were denied a point from a McCarthy free as the game entered stoppage, 1-16 apiece.

Charleville goalkeeper Kieran Murphy then scored his third placed ball for the lead in the 63rd minute.

A strong finish however, during which the Tipperary side scored 1-2 without reply saw them edge out the Cork outfit - the goal from substitute Darragh Treacy who scrambled the ball over the line from close range after ‘keeper Murphy stopped a long delivery from Gavin McGrath.

McCarthy’s 13th point was then followed by one from Eoghan Doughan in the 66th minute.

Charleville won the toss and elected to play with the wind, albeit it was blowing into the right corner, which took a while to get used to.

Even though they hit five quick wides, they struck four excellent points to edge in front after nine minutes - all from play from Chris Dunne (2), Turlough O’Neill and Gareth Gleeson.

Chris Dunne’s magnificent goal to the far right corner from 20 metres would allow them to lead by 1-9 to 0-2 after 20 minutes.

Nenagh CBS found a way, and Aodhan O’Connor’s major four minutes from the break was a game defining score as they clawed their way back to trail by a more manageable six.

That deficit was quickly wiped out in the third quarter, as McCarthy, who started at full-forward with his right thigh strapped, came out the field.

He struck an amazing seven unanswered points for Nenagh CBS to lead for the first time, 1-13 to 1-12.

It was neck-and-neck right up until that pulsating finish.

Ardscoil Rís stand between Nenagh CBS and ultimate glory.

Scorers for St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh: D McCarthy (0-13, 0-9 frees), A O’Connor and D Treacy (1-0 each), E Doughan (0-2), J Mulcahy, D Quinn and A Duff (0-1 each.

Scorers for Charleville CBS: C Dunne (1-9, 0-5 frees), K Murphy (0-3 frees), E O’Mahony (0-2), T O’Neill, G Gleeson and J Hickey (0-1 each).

ST JOSEPH’S CBS NENAGH: S Grace (Ballina); C Grace (Burgess), C Connolly (Nenagh Éire Óg), G McGrath (Kiladangan); J Doran (Toomevara), J Hackett (Toomevara), A Hoolan (Moneygall); C Foley (Borrisokane), M Cawley (Nenagh Éire Óg); J Mulcahy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), E Doughan (Moneygall), Z Keller (Nenagh Éire Óg); A O’Connor (Nenagh Éire Óg), D McCarthy (Toomevara, Capt), D Quinn (Silvermines).

Subs: A Duff (Toomevara) for Z Keller (24), D Treacy (Silvermines) for J Mulcahy (47).

CHARLEVILLE CBS: K Murphy (Newtownshandrum); N Tobin (Bruree), T McCarthy (Newtownshandrum), F O’Sullivan (Ballyhea); S Bresnan (Charleville), B Collins (Newtownshandrum, Capt), S Byrne (Ballyhea); R Troy (Newtownshandrum), T O’Neill (Newtownshandrum); L O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), E O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), C Dunne (Dromina); G Gleeson (Charleville), J Hickey (Ballyhea), P Daly (Ballyhea).

Subs: B Kiely (Charleville) for P Daly (bs 21-27), B Kiely for P Daly (54).

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Limerick).