'A great boost for the Northside of the city' — North Mon secure Harty Cup knockout spot
Donal O'Scannlain in action for Gaelcholaiste Mhuire, AG in the Harty Cup against St Colman's College, Fermoy. Pic Larry Cummins
AG manager Tomás Ó Mainnín, still trying to catch his breath, was delighted to come out on the right side of a titanic TUS Dr Harty Cup battle with St Colman’s College Fermoy in Watergrasshill on Wednesday.
With a Dean Ryan Cup final to look forward to next week, the AG are in the hat for a Harty preliminary quarter-final.
“We weren’t happy with how we played against De La Salle but we have great respect for Colman’s,” the St Finbarr’s man said. “We’ve only 250 boys and we’re making the best possible use of what we have.
“Good times now for the next few weeks and a great boost for the Northside of the city.”
Level seven times overall, two stoppage time points from Callum Ó Cofaigh eventually swung the pendulum their way.
In this three-team Group 5, De La Salle College Waterford finish top having defeated both of these Cork sides.
St Colman’s settled into their stride with outstanding free-taker Fionn Lardner their key scorer.
By the 20th minute Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG were hot on their heels, 0-5 to 0-4, placed ball supremo Craig Ó Suilleabháin, Lucas Ó Muirthile and Seán Ó Dálaigh on target - Ó Dálaigh was playing a much deeper role for the Northside city outfit than his number 15 jersey suggested.
After that St Colman’s College got on top and headed for the dressing-room 0-11 to 0-7 in front.
If Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG were somewhat wasteful in the first half, they began the second-half with crucial scores from Jamie Ó hÉigeartaigh and top defenders Conchúr Ó Maonaigh and Josh Ó Brosnacháin.
Six minutes into the second-half and the teams drew level for the second time, 0-12 each.
During a critical third quarter, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG outscored St Colman’s College nine points to two and 0-16 to 0-13 up at the three-quarter mark.
The Fermoy side responded through a brace of Lardner frees and Liam Óg Hegarty. The tit-for-tat nature continued. Tied at 0-18, 0-19 and 0-20 each, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG finished that bit stronger.
The draw for the knockout stage is planned for next Wednesday and the preliminary quarter-finals are scheduled to take place a week later on December 4.
C Ó Suilleabháin (0-10, 0-9 frees), L Ó Muirthile and C Ó Cofaigh (0-3 each), C Ó Maonaigh, J Ó Brosnacháin, J Ó hÉigeartaigh, S Ó Dálaigh, D Ó Connaill and T Ó Bruadau (0-1 each).
F Lardner (0-9 frees), B McGrath (0-3), J Counihan, L Óg Hegarty and O Magner (0-2 each), J Temple and T McCarthy (0-1 each).
J Ó Gabhláin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna); M Gayfer (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), C Ó Maonaigh (Na Piarsaigh), E Ó Murchú (Baile na mBocht); G Ó Duibhir Ó hArrachtáin (Na Piarsaigh), J Ó Brosnacháin (Fánaithe an Ghleanna), C Ó Gealbháin (Na Piarsaigh); E Ó Cróinín (Na Piarsaigh), D Ó Scannláin (Na Piarsaigh); J Ó hÉigeartaigh (Teampall Geal, Capt), C Ó Suilleabháin (Na Piarsaigh), L Ó Muirthile (Na Piarsaigh); D Ó Connaill (Teampall Geal), C Ó Cofaigh (Na Piarsaigh), S Ó Dálaigh (Naomh Uinseann).
T Ó Bruadau (Naomh Uinseann) for G Ó Duibhir Ó hArrachtáin (28 inj), C Ó Riain (Carraig na bhFear) for J Ó hÉigeartaigh (55), C Ó Briain (Teampall Geal) for D Ó Connaill (59).
J Bryan (St Catherine’s); B Ryan (Watergrasshill), A Hickey (Ballyduff Upper), Cathal Barry (Bride Rovers); E O’Driscoll (St Catherine’s), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), Cormac Barry (Bride Rovers); C O’Brien (Buttevant), J Counihan (Watergrasshill); L Óg Hegarty (Kilworth, J-Capt), F Lardner (Fermoy), B McGrath (Fermoy, J-Capt); B Knox (Bride Rovers), J Temple (St Catherine’s), O Magner (Killavullen).
D Hickey (Ballyduff Upper) for C O’Brien (42), T McCarthy (Watergrasshill) for B Knox (44), R Donovan (Fermoy) for B McGrath (49), J O’Keeffe (Fermoy) for J Temple (59).
Eoin Coleman (Youghal).
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