Champions Nenagh CBS held by dogged Midleton in opening Harty encounter

Champions Nenagh CBS begin their Harty defence with a draw.

Dr Harty Cup Group 4: Nenagh CBS 0-19 Midleton CBS 0-19

The champions are off the mark but they are certain to have mixed feelings over this one.

In many respects, there will be the feeling of a point lost. On the evidence of the final quarter, though, the champions should be a degree thankful for the point taken away.

Nenagh CBS were never led in this Group 4 Harty Cup opener beyond the 13th minute. Their lead was greatest in first-half injury-time when it grew to five. That lead was four strong on 53 minutes.

For the first 30 minutes of the second half, it was the champions in front. It’s against this backdrop where Nenagh will have regrets.

The otherwise flawless Eoghan Doughan missed a free on the three-quarter hour mark to push them five clear. Midfielder Cian Hogan was wide in the ensuing play. Goalkeeper Even Sherlock, who earlier in the half superbly nailed a long-distance free, was wide in the fifth minute of injury-time, albeit from a greater distance and more acute angle than his first.

It was right up against the hour mark when Midleton restored parity and again for a second time in injury-time. They were coming and coming.

From the 47th minute onward, they outgunned the champions 0-7 to 0-3. Midleton also had a Barry Walsh goal effort saved by Sherlock during this period.

Half-back James O’Leary roared into proceedings with a brace, as did lively sub Adam Lee. Midleton will have their regrets at how long it took them to find any semblance of rhythm.

Nenagh began with only three starters - corner-back Conor Grace, full-back Gavin McGrath, and corner-forward Doughan - from last season’s history-making Harty Cup winning team.

Three more - Austin Duff, Darragh Treacy, and Joe O’Dwyer - were introduced in that final win over Ardscoil Rís last February.

But it was Midleton who began the livelier. Centre-back Cillian O’Callaghan caught opposition restart after restart. James O’Brien was busy at midfield winning turnovers and assisting white flags. Inside, Peter Barrett was winning frees and Barry Walsh converting them.

The East Cork school were 0-4 to 0-2 ahead after eight minutes and 0-5 to 0-4 ahead after 13.

Thereafter though, the Nenagh defence began to stifle and slow the rate of scores. Gavin McGrath and centre-back Brehon O’Donnell grew in assertion and prominence. Corner-back Grace even managed to get himself forward for a point.

His was the fifth of a five-in-a-row sequence to leave Nenagh 0-12 to 0-7 clear on 31 minutes, Doughan accounting for the other four.

Behind by 0-12 to 0-8 at the break, Midleton were slow to make any inroads on that gap for so much of the second period. They brought Barry Walsh out to the 45 in a bid to gain more traction there.

It was Walsh, O’Brien, O’Leary, and sub Adam Lee’s late pair that earned them a share of the spoils.

On paper, Midleton look exceptionally strong. They were slow first day out to translate that onto the field. Both have Rochestown as their next challenge in this three-team group.

Scorers for Nenagh CBS: E Doughan (0-10, 0-9 frees); B O’Brien (0-3); S Cleary (0-2); E Sherlock (0-1 free), C Grace, C Hogan, J O’Dwyer (0-1 each).

Scorers for Midleton CBS: Barry Walsh (0-9, 0-7 frees); J O’Brien (0-3); P Barrett, J O’Leary, A Lee (0-2 each); C Morley (0-1).

Midleton CBS: F Murphy (Killeagh); R Harney (Dungourney), C Cronin (Midleton), T Dunlea (Midleton); J O'Leary (Lisgoold), C O'Callaghan (Dungourney), C Garde (Lisgoold); J O'Brien (Cloyne), E Fraser (Midleton); C Morley (Midleton), Ben Walsh (Killeagh), T O'Donoghue Brosnan (Fr O'Neill's); P Barrett (Midleton), C Stack (Midleton), Barry Walsh (Killeagh).

Subs: A Lee (St Colman’s) for Stack (38); L Fitzgerald (St Colman’s) for Harney (50); C Deane (Killeagh) for Ben Walsh (59); F Daly (Dungourney) for Barrett (62).

Nenagh CBS: E Sherlock (Kildangan); C Grace (Burgess), G McGrath (Kildangan), P Ryan (Borris-Ileigh); D Fogarty (Kildangan), B O'Donnell (Silvermines), L O'Callaghan (Portroe); C Hogan (Portroe), C Hoolan (Moneygall); D O'Dwyer (Kildangan), B O'Brien (Nenagh Éire Óg), S Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs); E Doughan (Moneygall), D Treacy (Silvermines), A Duff (Toomevara).

Subs: J O’Dwyer (Burgess) for D O’Dwyer (40); E Jones (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Hogan (51); E Garrigan (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Jones (61).

Referee: J Bugler.