Harty Cup: Fitzgerald and O'Farrell star as Castletroy College defeat Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig
The Up Marcus For Grabs: High Ballincollig's Ciaran Southern O'hare For College's Eddie Go O'donoghue Choilm Colaiste Sliotar Castletroy And Picture:
Castletroy College registered important TUS Dr Harty Cup points in Ballyagran on Tuesday with Limerick U20s Matthew Fitzgerald and Robert O’Farrell impressing.
Between them they contributed 2-15 - 14 points from outstanding free-taker Fitzgerald and a pair of goals by O’Farrell that were scored in either half.
Having trailed for long stages in this round 2, they came good in a strong fourth quarter that produced 2-9 to 0-1.
Both teams had lost their opening day matches.
“We knew today was kind of a winner-take-all,” Castletroy College mentor Liam Reale said.
“Ballincollig dominated the first half and we struggled to get on the ball. We had gone away from what we were good at. We re-set at half time, the lads came out and put the foot down and hurled the way they are capable of hurling.
“Just thankful to get the win and keep us in the competition.”
Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig did a lot right in that half but were hit with a sucker-punch goal just before half time in the 31st minute when Conor Gavin accepted a quick line ball and his long delivery into the danger area was fetched by O’Farrell who made no mistake from close range.
It enabled the Limerick outfit to lead for the first time. Short-lived though, Coláiste Choilm edged it 0-12 to 1-8 at the break.
And they registered the first two points of the second half to extend their advantage, but Castletroy College drew level in the 37th minute through a brace from Fitzgerald and one from Harry McDermott.
Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig managed to keep them at arm’s length, 0-16 to 1-12 approaching the end of the third quarter.
Their opponents won the remaining 18 minutes plus stoppage time hands down.
It started with O’Farrell finding the net and he followed with one from play. Fitzgerald reeled off the next three points (one sublime side line ball) before Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig’s solitary point from Kevin O’Leary.
Another four Castletroy College points arrived before centre-back and captain Cian Scully finished his side's third goal in the 57th minute.
“The first goal before half time was against the run of play,” Reale added.
“We put Robert inside, normally he's a half forward or midfielder. He worked two great goals. We created that bit of space in the second half.
“When things aren’t going well, if your free-taker stays in the game. it keeps the scoreboard ticking over. Matthew Fitzgerald is a great prospect.”
The result doesn't do justice to Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig.
The placed ball taking of Eoin Dwyer was a feature of their display and there were five points for Niall Buckley, both are joint-captains.
M Fitzgerald (0-14, 0-10 frees, 0-1 sl), R O’Farrell (2-1), C Scully (1-0), C Clifford and H McDermott (0-2 each), J Rennison and B Griffin (0-1 each).
E Dwyer (0-11, 0-8 frees, 0-1 65), N Buckley (0-5), K O’Leary (0-1).
E Murrihy (Ahane); L Ferland (Monaleen), D Blackwell (Ahane), M Southern (Monaleen); C Gavin (Monaleen), C Scully (Monaleen, Capt), C Bowles (Monaleen); P Scully (Monaleen), J Rennison (Ahane); H McDermott (Monaleen), M Fitzgerald (Monaleen), B Griffin (Monaleen); C Ryan (Monaleen), R O’Farrell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), C Clifford (Monaleen).
A Donohue (Ahane) for C Bowles (22 inj), D Moloughney (Ahane) for C Clifford (60), J O’Halloran (Monaleen) for C Ryan (62).
D Murphy (Ballinora); C Herlihy (Inniscarra), S O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), J Murphy (Ballincollig); K O’Leary (Ballincollig), D Clifford (Éire Óg), S O’Sullivan (Ballincollig); A Heelan (Inniscarra), C O’Connor (Ballincollig); E Dwyer (Ballincollig, J-Capt), D Miskella (Ballincollig), L O’Mahony (Ballincollig); C Murphy (Éire Óg), C O’Donoghue (Ballinora), N Buckley (Inniscarra, J-Capt).
M O’Donoghue (Ballinora) for C Murphy (60).
John O’Halloran (Bruree).