Harty Cup: St Colman's hold off late Castletroy rally to win opener

Cork minor Sam McCarthy's five points from play and Alan Cotter's dead-ball accuracy were key parts of the St Colman's College, Fermoy victory

St Colman's Fermoy survived a goalmouth scramble at the death to beat Castletroy College in the Harty Cup. Pic: Clubber TV

Dr Harty Cup: St Colman’s College, Fermoy 0-22 Castletroy College 2-14 

It came down to the last play but St Colman’s College did enough to secure victory in their TUS Dr Harty Cup opener at Knocklong on Monday.

With injury time almost expired, the Fermoy school held a two-point lead over Castletroy College but had to defend a late free. While wing-back Kevin McNamara dropped in a dangerous ball that squirted about, full-back James Mullery emerged with the treasure and Colman’s took the points.

Having had the benefit of the elements in the first half, it might have been felt that a one-point interval lead of 0-9 to 0-8 was insufficient but Colman’s played smartly in the second half.

That the lead was still so precarious deep in injury time owed much to Castletroy goalkeeper Brian Halley, who made three superb saves to deny Sam McCarthy.

A green flag would have capped a fine display for the Cork minor - a first-half shot whistled over rather than under the bar - but his tally of 0-5 was invaluable.

Alongside him, centre-forward Alan Cotter’s dead-ball accuracy was another key plank of the victory while he also contributed two fine second-half points from play while Matthew Kenny chipped in with a couple, too.

With Cathal Barry instrumental at midfield and Tomás McAuliffe and Ryan Molumphy making impacts from the bench, Colman’s had the better of the play in the third quarter but Shane Moloughney’s goal for Castletroy ensured it was not a procession.

That 42nd-minute strike, set up by Danann Glynn’s surging run and great vision, actually put the Limerick side in front again, 1-10 to 0-12, but it was an oasis amid six Colman’s points and Halley’s heroics were keeping the sheet clean.

The first save came with the sides tied at 0-10 each and the second just after Cotter had levelled following Moloughney’s strike but, even without a goal, Colman’s were able to edge ahead.

At the other end, Cian McCarthy remained the primary Castletroy scoring outlet as they stayed in touch towards the end of normal time before Colman’s made what proved to be a decisive burst.

Two from Cotter sandwiched a lovely point as Tadhg McCarthy set up his namesake Sam for his fourth and a 0-21 to 1-14 lead looked secure as the clock moved into the red.

Castletroy continued to press though and were rewarded as sub Paul Quilter’s pass allowed marauding centre-back Conor Ryan to flash to the net from a tight angle, leaving just one in it.

Colman’s almost replied in kind as Sam McCarthy rose to claim the puckout and drove towards goal but Halley denied him again.

The resultant 65 was not converted, meaning Castletroy had one last chance when they won a free in midfield but Colman’s held out.

While Micheál Walsh gave the wind-assisted Colman’s the lead inside nine seconds of the game starting, it was Castletroy who enjoyed the better of the opening quarter.

With their half-back line on top and Louis Ferland strong at midfield, they were able to make the supremacy count on the scoreboard as Jack Moynihan landed a pair of nice scores while Cian McCarthy was accurate from dead balls.

A sideline cut from him made it 0-7 to 0-3 before Colman’s summoned a response, with Cotter leading the charge. They were level at 0-8 each when Sam McCarthy’s first goal effort whizzed over and Tadhg McCarthy’s aerial ability gave them the half-time advantage.

Cian McCarthy and Ferland had Castletroy back in front on the restart but thereafter Colman’s were the better side and ultimately made that count.

Scorers for St Colman’s College: A Cotter 0-9 (0-7f), S McCarthy 0-5, M Kenny 0-3, T McCarthy 0-2, C Barry, M Walsh, O Hegarty 0-1 each.

Scorers for Castletroy College: C McCarthy 0-9 (0-7f, 0-1sl), S Moloughney, C Ryan 1-0 each, J Moynihan, L Ferland 0-2 each, C Langan 0-1 each.

ST COLMAN’S COLLEGE: D Collins (Kilworth Araglen Óg); J Batterberry (Ballycastle Gaels), J Mullery (Fermoy), A Casey (Watergrasshill); D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), C Scanlan (Bride Rovers), PJ Powell (Ballycastle Gaels); C Barry (Bride Rovers), M Walsh (Bride Rovers); O Hegarty (Kilworth Araglen Óg), A Cotter (St Catherine’s), S McCarthy (Castlelyons); J Hennebry (Watergrasshill), T McCarthy (Watergrasshill), M Kenny (Bride Rovers).

Subs: R Molumphy (Ballyduff Upper) for Scanlan, T McAuliffe (Castlelyons) for Hennebry (both 37), C Murphy (Castlelyons) for Walsh (49).

CASTLETROY COLLEGE: B Halley (Monaleen); D Ryan (Monaleen), A O’Connor (Ahane), H Ryan (Monaleen); J Sheehan (Monaleen), C Ryan (Monaleen), K McNamara (Ahane); L Ferland (Monaleen), S Moloughney (Ahane); J Moynihan (Monaleen), C Langan (Monaleen), D Glynn (Ahane); F Ó Duinn (Monaleen), O Fitzgerald (Monaleen), C McCarthy (Ahane).

Subs: E Coulter (Ahane) for Ryan (half-time), P Quilter (Monaleen) for Ó Duinn (39), M O’Grady (Monaleen) for Moloughney (49).

Referee: J Murphy (Limerick).