Harty Cup: Nenagh CBS topple reigning champions Thurles CBS in pulsating Tipp derby

Eoghan Doughan, Nenagh CBS landed the winner for his school. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

Harty Cup semi-final: Nenagh CBS 1-18 Thurles CBS 0-20 

Nenagh CBS edged the battle of the last two Dr. Harty Cup winners as Eoghan Doughan’s injury time free settled this pulsating semi-final in favour of the 2024 champions as Thurles CBS lost their crown in Templederry on Saturday.

Played in front of a sell-out crowd of over two-thousand people at the limited capacity Fr. Kenyon Park, this Tipperary derby lived up to its billing with never more than three points separating the sides, with extra time looking a distinct possibility until Doughan’s late winner.

With both teams littered with All-Ireland minor and under 20 winners from the previous two years, Tipp U20 manager Brendan Cummins was an interested observer of a high quality game which fizzed from the off with six points scored inside the first four minutes, four for Nenagh with Doughan quickly into his stride with three and the other from the hugely influential Patrick Hackett.

Points from Jack Cahill (son of Tipp senior manager Liam) and Eoghan Hickey had Thurles on the board as they played second fiddle in the opening period, Doughan’s third from play extending the lead but the holders eventually settled with Tony Ryan and two more from Cahill, including a sideline cut, bringing the sides level on the quarter hour.

Billy O’Brien and Ryan traded points before Ryan’s third in eight minutes gave Thurles their first lead on 19 minutes. However, it was short lived as Eanna Tucker goaled a minute later after the incision by Patrick Ryan.

Thurles keeper Rory Crosse denied Patrick Hackett a second goal a minute later, and after Nenagh goalkeeper Patrick McCormack landed a monster free, Thurles finished the half with four points in a row from Chris Dunne, Euan Murray and two Cillian Minogue frees to lead 0-11 to 1-7 at the break.

Hackett levelled within seconds of the restart but Thurles reeled off three in a row from Minogue, James Butler and Tiarnan Ryan to open their biggest lead of three points.

Back came Nenagh with Doughan on target thrice more with Ryan and Ryne Bargary getting the scoreboard moving for Thurles. Paul Cahalan reduced the arrears to one before a foul on Hackett led to Doughan bringing Nenagh level on 48 minutes.

Sub Hugo Healy nudged Nenagh back in front before Doughan’s fifth from play suggesting the North Tipp men were timing their run but Thurles retorted with a second Cahill sideline cut and a third from Tiarnan Ryan.

A Doughan 65 was cancelled out by fourth Minogue free before the Nenagh skipper gave his side the lead once more when in the first minute of added time, referee Joe Mullins overruled his umpire to allow a long range Jack Cahill free to count.

As extra time loomed, and no one would have minded 20 minutes more, until a foul on Patrick Hackett yielded the winner for Doughan who started in the 2024 success as Nenagh remain on course for their second Harty Cup in three years.

Scorers for Nenagh CBS: E Doughan 0-12 (6 frees, 1 ’65); E Tucker 1-0; P Hackett 0-2; P McCormack (free), B O’Brien, P Cahalan, H Healy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Thurles CBS: J Cahill 0-5 (2 frees, 2 s-cuts); C Minogue 0-4 frees; Tony Ryan, Tiarnan Ryan 0-3 each; E Hickey, R Bargary, E Murray, C Dunne, J Butler 0-1 each.

Nenagh CBS: P McCormack (Moneygall); D Fogarty (Kiladangan), S Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs), C Kennedy (Kilruane MacDonaghs); E Jones (Nenagh Eire Og), D O’Dwyer (Kiladangan), J Grace (Burgess); P Ryan (Borris-Ileigh), A Duff (Toomevara); B O’Brien (Nenagh Eire Og), E Doughan (Moneygall, Capt), P Cahalan (Burgess); J O’Dwyer (Burgess), P Hackett (Toomevara), E Tucker (Nenagh Eire Og).

Subs: H Healy (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for Jones (HT); R McGrath (Kiladangan) for Cahalan (45); L McKeogh (Ballina) for O’Dwyer (48); T Boland (Kiladangan) for Tucker (60).

Thurles CBS: R Crosse (Boherlahan-Dualla); B Fogarty (Thurles Sarsfields), T Corbett (Upperchurch/Drombane), D Hickey (Emeralds); D Barry (Fethard), R Bargary (Boherlahan-Dualla), S Griffin (Upperchurch/Drombane); E Murray (Durlas Og, Capt), J Cahill (Ballingarry); J Butler (Sean Treacys), Tiarnan Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill), Tony Ryan (Killenaule); C Dunne (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), C Minogue (Thurles Sarsfields), E Hickey (Holycross/Ballycahill).

Subs: C Kennedy (Clonoulty/Rossmore) for Dunne (46); Z O’Keeffe (Holycross/Ballycahill) for Hickey (48).

Referee: J Mullins (Clare).