Harty Cup: Gaelcholáiste Mhuire secure progress at expense of St Colman's

A draw would have sufficed for the AG but they won it in stoppage time

Josh O'Brosnachain with possession for Gaelcholaiste Mhuire, AG in the Harty Cup hurling at Watergrasshill, Co Cork. St Colman's College, Fermoy vs Gaelcholaiste Mhuire, AG. Pic Larry Cummins

Harty Cup: Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG Cork 0-22 St Colman’s College Fermoy 0-20

Just five days after qualifying for the Dean Ryan final next week, the good times continue for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG as they secured their place in the preliminary quarter-final of the TUS Dr Harty Cup after they came from behind in Watergrasshill on Wednesday.

In a titanic all-Cork battle featuring two resilient teams that were level on seven occasions, a draw would have sufficed for the AG and that was how it was shaping up deep in stoppages at 0-20 apiece. However points in the 64th and 65th minute from Callum Ó Cofaigh eventually swung the pendulum their way.

In this three-team Group 5, De La Salle College Waterford finish top having defeated both of these Cork sides.

St Colman’s settled into their stride with outstanding free-taker Fionn Lardner their key scorer.

By the 20th minute Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG were hot on their heels, 0-5 to 0-4, placed ball supremo Craig Ó Suilleabháin, Lucas Ó Muirthile and Seán Ó Dálaigh on target - Ó Dálaigh was playing a much deeper role for the Northside city outfit than his number 15 jersey suggested.

After that St Colman’s College got on top, a trio of points (two from Lardner) and an excellent effort from Liam Óg Hegarty nudged them four up.

Supporters for St Colmans College watch the game against Gaelcholaiste Mhuire, AG in the Harty Cup hurling at Watergrasshill, Co Cork. St Colman's College, Fermoy vs Gaelcholaiste Mhuire, AG. Pic Larry Cummins

Headed for the dressing room, they posted another three unanswered points to go 0-11 to 0-7 in front.

If Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG were somewhat wasteful in the first half, they began the second with crucial scores from Jamie Ó hÉigeartaigh and top defenders Conchúr Ó Maonaigh and Josh Ó Brosnacháin.

Six minutes into the second half and the teams drew level for the second time, 0-12 each.

During a critical third quarter, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG outscored St Colman’s College nine points to two, moving into the lead 0-16 to 0-13 at the three-quarter mark.

The Fermoy side responded through a brace of Lardner frees and Liam Óg Hegarty.

The tit-for-tat nature continued.

Tied at 0-18, 0-19 and 0-20 each, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG finished that bit stronger with Ó Cofaigh supplying the winning scores, and Seán Ó Dálaigh getting an important touch as St Colman’s went in search of a late goal.

The draw for the knockout stage is planned for next Wednesday while the preliminary quarter-finals are scheduled to take place a week later on December 4.

Scorers for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG: C Ó Suilleabháin (0-10, 0-9 frees), L Ó Muirthile and C Ó Cofaigh (0-3 each), C Ó Maonaigh, J Ó Brosnacháin, J Ó hÉigeartaigh, S Ó Dálaigh, D Ó Connaill and T Ó Bruadau (0-1 each).

Scorers for St Colman’s College: F Lardner (0-9 frees), B McGrath (0-3), J Counihan, L Óg Hegarty and O Magner (0-2 each), J Temple and T McCarthy (0-1 each).

GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AG: J Ó Gabhláin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna); M Gayfer (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), C Ó Maonaigh (Na Piarsaigh), E Ó Murchú (Baile na mBocht); G Ó Duibhir Ó hArrachtáin (Na Piarsaigh), J Ó Brosnacháin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), C Ó Gealbháin (Na Piarsaigh); E Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh); J Ó hÉigeartaigh (Teampall Geal, Capt), C Ó Suilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh); D Ó Connaill (Teampall Geal), C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), S Ó Dálaigh (Naomh Uinseann).

Subs: T Ó Bruadau (Naomh Uinseann) for G Ó Duibhir Ó hArrachtáin (28 inj), C Ó Riain (Carraig na bhFear) for J Ó hÉigeartaigh (55), C Ó Briain (Teampall Geal) for D Ó Connaill (59).

ST COLMAN’S COLLEGE: J Bryan (St Catherine’s); B Ryan (Watergrasshill), A Hickey (Ballyduff Upper), Cathal Barry (Bride Rovers); E O’Driscoll (St Catherine’s), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), Cormac Barry (Bride Rovers); C O’Brien (Buttevant), J Counihan (Watergrasshill); L Óg Hegarty (Kilworth, J-Capt), F Lardner (Fermoy), B McGrath (Fermoy, J-Capt); B Knox (Bride Rovers), J Temple (St Catherine’s), O Magner (Killavullen).

Subs: D Hickey (Ballyduff Upper) for C O’Brien (42), T McCarthy (Watergrasshill) for B Knox (44), R Donovan (Fermoy) for B McGrath (49), J O’Keeffe (Fermoy) for J Temple (59).

Referee: Eoin Coleman (Youghal).