Ardscoil Rís produce 10 different scorers in perfect Harty start against Cashel Community College

Ian O’Brien and John O’Keeffe tallied 1-4 each, while Jack Cosgrove rowed in with six points from play

Dr Harty Cup Group 1: Ardscoil Rís 2-23 Cashel Community School 2-15

Ardscoil Rís started their Dr Harty Cup with an eight-point victory as they overcame Cashel CS in Cappamore on Wednesday. 

With the exception of the opening two points, the Limerick school were never led, and only for their inaccuracy (19 wides), the margin could have been greater.

“Some good stuff with some pretty poor stuff,” was how coach Niall Crowe saw it, as they fielded eight starters and five subs from the Thurles CBS quarter-final in 2024.

“We played challenge matches that we thought were at a fairly decent level but the intensity Cashel brought today was a different level.

“But, overall happy enough. 2-23 is not bad. But 19 wides tells a lot.

“Nenagh CBS is next and then we have St Flannan’s. It is the group of death really.” 

With 10 different scorers, Ian O’Brien’s 15th minute goal handed them an early initiative, 1-5 to 0-3. The major came after a brilliant surge through the middle from John O’Connor.

O’Brien and John O’Keeffe tallied 1-4 each, while Jack Cosgrove rowed in with six points from play - one outrageous effort in the first half.

Both these teams exited at the quarter-final stage last season.

The advantage remained at five until William Colville availed of a defensive lapse to goal five minutes from the break, and cut the deficit, 1-9 to 1-7.

A strong finish to the half provided a 1-12 to 1-7 interval lead for Ardscoil Rís.

A procession of points arrived from O’Brien, Cosgrove (2) and Shane Waters, the only reply was a Shane Cooney free as a bigger gap began to open.

Senan Mackey’s bullet in the 41st minute ensured Cashel CS would stay in the hunt, 1-17 to 2-10.

But a John O’Keeffe goal seven minutes later wrestled back control for Ardscoil Rís, the green flag was raised at the second time of asking after ‘keeper Kieran O’Neill saved his initial shot.

With 12 minutes of regulation remaining, it was an eighth-point game, 2-18 to 2-10.

Successive points from Charlie Hall (2 frees) and Charlie Walsh brought Cashel CS to within five.

Ardscoil Rís were rewarded for outstanding defending, the margin kept at five approaching stoppage time.

And they profited up front too, to finish with Cosgrove, Gavin O’Brien and Conor Conlon Ryan points.

Scorers for Ardscoil Rís: J O’Keeffe (0-4 frees) and I O’Brien (1-4 each), J Cosgrove (0-6), E Brosnan and S Waters (0-2 each), M McKenna, J O’Connor, D O’Keeffe, G O’Brien and C Conlon Ryan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cashel CS: S Cooney (0-7, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65), S Mackey and W Colville (1-0 each), C Hall (0-3 frees), C Walsh and C Fogarty (0-2 each), T Meracre (0-1).

ARDSCOIL RÍS: M Murphy (Na Piarsaigh); E Hennessy (Patrickswell), J O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge), E Ryan (South Liberties); C Ryan (Adare), E Brosnan (Na Piarsaigh, J-Capt), A Fitzsimons (Na Piarsaigh); D O’Keeffe (Na Piarsaigh), C Ryan (Ahane, J-Capt); J O’Connor (Ahane), J Cosgrove (Ahane), M McKenna (Pallasgreen); J O’Keeffe (Murroe Boher), S Waters (Na Piarsaigh), I O’Brien (Cratloe).

Subs: R Horgan (Murroe Boher) for S Waters (43), G O’Brien (Kilmallock) for J Cosgrove (44-46 bs), G O’Brien for J O’Keeffe (48), A Kelly (Cratloe) for C Ryan (55).

CASHEL CS: K O’Neill (Boherlahan Dualla); R O’Mahony (Fethard), N O’Flynn (Fethard, Capt), K Cully (Cashel King Cormacs); S Mackey (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams), B O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs), T O’Connor (Cashel King Cormacs); C Walsh (Fethard), W Colville (Rosegreen); C Hall (Golden Kilfeacle), S Cooney (Clerihan), C Fitzgerald (Cashel King Cormacs); E Ryan, Cashel King Cormacs), C Fogarty (Boherlahan Dualla), T Meracre (Cashel King Cormacs).

Subs: A Toomey (Boherlahan Dualla) for C Fitzgerald (26), J Finn (Golden Kilfeacle) for C Hall (40), C Hall for E Ryan (47), H Fogarty (Golden Kilfeacle) for S Mackey (54), E Burke (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams) for C Walsh (61).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport).