Watch and read: James O’Donnell hits 1-4 as Tulla power past Castletroy in Harty Cup

James O’Donnell’s solo goal separated the sides at half-time before St Joseph’s Tulla pulled clear of Castletroy in Cratloe to stay unbeaten ahead of their final group game against St Colman’s

The St. Joseph’s Secondary School Tulla and Castletroy College captains ahead of their Harty Cup clash. Pic: Eoin Brennan

Dr. Harty Cup: St. Joseph’s Secondary School Tulla 2-16 Castletroy College 0-09 

Having salvaged a point at the death in their opening tie, St. Joseph’s Tulla were far more assured this time around in eventually powering clear of Castletroy College to maintain their unbeaten start in Cratloe.

Only leading by James O’Donnell’s superb solo goal by half-time, the 2022 champions upped the ante considerably for the second period, outscoring their flagging opponents by 1-10 to 0-03 to run out commanding victors.

2026 Clare minor O’Donnell was easily the best player on show, ending the hour with 1-4, with Hugh Vaughan, Mark McGrath and substitutes Donnacha Lenihan and Eoin O’Connor all excelling in a dominant finale.

Leading from start to finish, Terence Fahy’s side looked to be closing out the contest as early as the first half when Hugh Vaughan’s trio of points was accentuated by an 11th minute goal for O’Donnell who raced down the left before cutting inside and firing to the net at 1-4 to 0-1.

To their credit, Castletroy did finally settle with a brace of Cian McCarthy frees while eye-catching points for Shane Moloughney and John Sheahan left only three between the sides by the 20th minute.

Unfortunately for the Limerick college, those were to be their last points from play as seven first half wides prevented Castletroy from fully reeling in Tulla by the break at 1-6 to 0-6.

With a timely opportunity to regroup and re-arm, Tulla never looked back on the resumption as five different players raided for early points to put clear daylight between the sides. Louis Jennings, Hugh Vaughan, a brilliant O’Donnell interception and score along with scoring contributions from the bench through Eoin O’Connor and Donnacha Lenihan at 1-11 to 0-06.

A brace of Cian McCarthy frees finally opened Castletroy’s second half account but it was only a temporary reprieve as Mark McGrath and James O’Donnell both tacked on two points each to extend the gap to double figures.

To their credit, Castletroy rallied superbly late on and deserved a consolation goal. However, captain and best player Conor Ryan would be denied by an instinctive save from Patrick Murphy as was Shane Moloughney while a Danann Glynn bullet flashed wide of the far post before Harry Nolan came to Tulla’s rescue to keep out a last gasp Cian McCarthy 20 metre free.

Tulla meanwhile wouldn’t have any such issue as while goalkeeper Brian Halley had to be alert to keep out efforts from Micheál Rochford and Eoin O’Connor, Niki Belenko was on hand to finish the rebound to the net and keep Tulla on track to clinch top spot in the group ahead of their final outing against St. Colman’s Fermoy.

Scorers for St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla: J O’Donnell 1-4; H Vaughan 0-4 (3f); M McGrath 0-3 (1f); N Belenko 1-0; D Lenihan 0-2; O Perill, L Jennings, E O’Connor 0-1 each 

Scorers for Castletroy College: C McCarthy 0-6 (6f); F Ó Duinn, S Moloughney, J Sheahan 0-1 each 

ST JOSEPH'S SECONDARY SCHOOL, TULLA: P Murphy (Tulla); A Guilfoyle (Crusheen), C Maxted (Clooney-Quin), K McCarthy (Clooney-Quin); L Jennings (Tulla), H Nolan (Tulla), M Fitzpatrick (Clooney-Quin); C Ryan (Sixmilebridge), C Littleton (Tulla); O Perill (Crusheen), JP Murphy (Tulla), M McGrath (Clooney-Quin); H Vaughan (Broadford), J O’Donnell (Broadford), N Belenko (Tulla) 

Subs: E O’Connor (Clooney-Quin) for Ryan (HT), D Lenihan (O’Callaghan’s Mills) for JP Murphy (36), M Rochford (Tulla) for Vaughan (51), M Hannon (Clooney-Quin) for Littleton (60), T Moloney (Feakle) for Belenko (60)

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

Subs: P Quilter (Monaleen) for Fitzgerald (HT), M O’Grady (Monaleen) for McNamara (47), H Ferte (Ahane) for Ó Duinn (57), O Clifford (Ahane) for Ryan (61, inj) 

Referee: N Donovan (Clare)