Harty Cup: Harry Doherty key as St Flannan's progress to quarters
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Despite a wasteful afternoon in front of the posts, St. Flannan’s College returned to the knockout stages of the Dr. Harty Cup, by having just enough to account for a hard working John the Baptist Community College at the TUS Midwest campus, in Limerick.
“We made heavy weather of it. A lot of credit to Hospital, they worked very hard, they turned us over, as we knew they would”, explained teacher and coach, Jamsie O’Connor.
“We weren’t efficient in front of the posts as we needed to be. And we (nearly) paid the price for not taking some of those chances, but they missed plenty in the first half too. That probably won’t be good enough the next day out so we have a lot of work to do.”
In what was a low scoring contest, which both sides struggled with a testing crossfield wind in Limerick City, there was 19 first half wides with Flannan’s holding a 0-7 to 0-4 interval lead.
“That (number of wides) tells its own tale, in terms of the chances missed by both sides. We looked to be cruising and then we gave away that goal, and it gives them life. It was a lot more nervous than it probably should have been.”
A 29-point win over Tralee CBS in their final group outing a week ago perhaps did little to prepare the Ennis school for this clash.
“Maybe after playing well against Thurles and very well against Tralee, today was the kick in the ass, which shows this competition is hard won and defences are a lot tougher from here on in.”
The serious business starts now and key to the victory was the impressive Harry Doherty, but also too his Clarecastle clubmate, Conor Ralph. Those two will garner plenty of attention from whomever they face in the last eight. Here they hit five points from play, with Doherty a reliable target for long puckouts.
Pulling five points clear inside the final three minutes of normal time, Flannan’s looked comfortable. Rory Hanly’s goal – after the ball came back off the post – gave the South Limerick side hope, however the quick reply from Daniel Costelloe meant a second goal was needed to deny the 22-time winners.
Sitting deeper, it took a brave overlapping run from the tireless James Cullinan to pop over the game ending point.
“There was a lack of shape or structure to the game late on. James Cullinan did really well when we broke to get up that field and get the insurance score”, added the St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield clubman.
“We are happy with the result not the performance. Four teams finished their season today, the key was not to be one of them. There is bigger fish to come, some serious teams with history and tradition to come. It is hard earned and we will have to be a lot better if we are to progress any further.”
Far from a vintage display from the Clare outfit, but one they can easily improve upon against a group winner, who they’ll face in the next round.
O’Connor was ably assisted on the sideline by current Clare star, Tony Kelly, who also teaches at the school.
H Doherty (0-8, 5f); C Ralph (0-2); R Loftus, R Kilroy, D Costelloe, J Cullinan (0-1 each)
C Cronin 0-3 (0-2f) R Hanly (1-0); H Flanagan (0-2f); D Heavey, D Hurley (0-1 each).
M O’Coileáin (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield); C Daly (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield), J Casey (Kilmaley), S McNamara (Clooney Quin); J Cullinan (Ruan), J Hegarty (Inagh Kilnamona), R Loftus (Eire Og); D Costelloe (Ballyea), D Kennedy (Ballyea); R Kilroy (The Banner), D McNamara (Clooney Quin); D Ball (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield); P O’Connell (Clarecastle), H Doherty (Clarecastle) C Ralph (Clarecastle).
N Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Kennedy (37), M Cleary (Eire Og) for P O'Connell (42), C Hill (Ballyea) for J Casey inj (52), E Kennedy (Ballyea) for D McNamara (62).
T Ryan (Garryspillane); N McNamara (Pallasgreen), S Treacy (Staker Wallace), A Gleeson (Hospital Herbertstown); S O’Dea (Hospital Herbertstown), D Heavey (Garryspillane), R Hanly (Ballybricken Bohermore); C Cronin (Bruff), G McCaffrey (Hospital Herbertstown); C McNamara (Hospital Herbertstown), H Flanagan (C) (Garryspillane), P Hennessy (Bruff); E Martin (Caherline), D Hurley (Hospital Herbertstown), A Carroll (Staker Wallace).
M Hanley (Ballybricken Bohermore) for A Carroll (27), J O'Shea (Garryspillane) for E Martin (42), C Shanahan (Bruff) for C McNamara (54); J Teefy (Ballybricken Bohermore) for O’Shea (64).
Conor O’Brien (Tipperary).