Late Sheehan goal sees Flannan's past Nenagh in Dean Ryan semi

Dean Ryan Cup: Nenagh CBS v St Flannan's. Screenshot: Clubber TV

TUS Dean Ryan Cup PPS (U17) Hurling semi-final: Nenagh CBS 1-15 St Flannan’s 2-15 

St Flannan’s College struck for a late goal in fortuitous circumstances through a long-range Max Sheehan free to finally shake off Nenagh CBS in a fiercely contested Dean Ryan Cup semi-final at the Moylish campus in Limerick on Friday afternoon.

Played in unseasonable sunshine, without a breath of wind and on a lovely surface, the game developed into a physical, stop-start affair, with neither side able to establish a commanding advantage.

St Flannan’s were just about value for their victory, but Nenagh will be kicking themselves over the opportunities they squandered, registering 13 wides, while the excellent Sheehan accounted for 1-12 of the winners’ tally.

Nenagh were the brighter side early doors and struck for a goal when James O’Dwyer intercepted a misplaced defensive pass before feeding Donagh Carmody, who finished low to the net with aplomb.

Sheehan and Sam Bannon helped reduce the deficit to a point by the 12th minute, before scores from Michael Hutchinson, Oliver Duff and KJ Dunne maintained Nenagh’s advantage.

However, St Flannan’s struck for a brilliant goal in the 28th minute when Aaron Cleary dispossessed a Nenagh defender before stepping inside a tackle and flicking a pass to Daithi Ryan, who finished one-handed to the net.

Nenagh responded through a Dunne free and an excellent O’Dwyer point, with further scores from Dunne and Sheehan leaving the sides deadlocked at 1-8 apiece at half-time.

Three successive Nenagh wides after the restart proved costly as Sean Garvey and Sheehan edged Flannan’s two clear, with the Clare school’s packed defence frustrating Nenagh’s attacking talent.

Daniel Boland finally opened Nenagh’s second-half account in the 40th minute, winning possession and combining with Carmody before floating over a lovely score off his left.

Dunne subsequently landed a superb over-the-shoulder effort following a quick Craig McKenna free, while Carmody and Oisin Hogan helped Nenagh regain the initiative.

A brilliant Hutchinson brace had Nenagh leading 1-14 to 1-13 with seven minutes remaining, but their indiscipline was proving costly.

Sheehan converted frees in the 55th and 57th minutes, the latter a magnificent effort from distance and a difficult angle, before the decisive moment arrived a minute from time.

Another long-range Sheehan free dropped short, slipping through goalkeeper Shane O’Meara’s grasp and into the net despite appeals for a free out.

Dunne missed a free before converting another in added time, leaving Nenagh needing a goal to salvage the game.

They almost got it when James O’Dwyer unleashed a rasping low effort, but Liam Clancy somehow got his hurley to it despite being unsighted.

Nenagh recycled possession and Hutchinson buried the sliotar, only to be penalised for picking the ball off the ground.

That signalled the end of Nenagh’s challenge, with the outstanding Sheehan and the defensive efforts of Oran Duignan, Robbie McMahon and Cathal Brohan proving instrumental in sending St Flannan’s through to the Munster decider.

Scorers for Nenagh CBS: KJ Dunne (0-7, 0-6f), D Carmody 1-1, M Hutchinson 0-3, J O’Dwyer, O Duff, D Boland, O Hogan all 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Flannan’s: M Sheehan (1-12, 1-9f, 0-1 65), D Ryan 1-0, C Brohan, S Bannon, S Garvey all 0-1 each.

NENAGH CBS: S O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs); D Boland (Kiladangan), C Ryan (Toomevara), H Walsh (Nenagh Éire Óg); T Teefy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), C McKenna (Portroe), R Quinn (Nenagh Éire Óg); O Hogan (Burgess), O Duff (Toomevara); S O'Leary (Kilruane MacDonaghs), J O’Dwyer (Kiladangan), M Hutchinson (Kilruane MacDonaghs); D Carmody (Kiladangan), KJ Dunne (Toomevara), A Quigley (Nenagh Éire Óg).

Subs used: J Delaney (Toomevara) for O'Leary (40); G O'Brien (Moneygall) for Quigley (56); K Janitens (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Duff (61).

ST FLANNAN’S: L Clancy (Ruan); D Garvey (Clarecastle), R McMahon (Corofin), S McGreal (Crusheen); L Flynn (Éire Óg), O Duignan (Banner), C Brohan (Ruan); D Ryan (Clooney Quin), S Vaughan (Éire Óg); S Kelly (Clarecastle), M Sheehan (Ruan), S Bannon (Newmarket on Fergus); A Cleary (Ballyea), J Ryan (Éire Óg), S Garvey (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield).

Subs used: C Geary (Kilmaley) for D Ryan (46); C Rynne for Bannon (50); S McGee (Clooney Quin) for Cleary (62).

Referee: S Carey (Limerick)