Castletroy record narrow Harty Cup victory over Carrick-On-Suir
MARKSMAN: Castletroy were led by accurate free-taker Dara Ferland, while midfielder Robert O’Farrell chipped in healthy on the scoresheet. Pic: ©INPHO/Andy Paton
Castletroy College closed out their Harty Cup Group E with a narrow victory over first-time-out CBS Carrick-on-Suir.
The Limerick school will face an anxious wait, as in this three-team group, all three may end up on two points, with John the Baptist Hospital yet to face the Tipperary school.
Having suffered a second-half collapse to lose by seven to their Limerick rivals on the same artificial surface in UL a fortnight ago, Castletroy College turned in a better overall performance to claim the precious victory.
They were led by accurate free-taker Dara Ferland, while midfielder Robert O’Farrell chipped in healthy on the scoresheet.
In defence, they weren’t too convincing though Paul Canny marshalled the full-back line well, as they seldom allowed any opening for a Carrick goal.
On a chilly but dry afternoon, the only goal, which arrived after just eight minutes ensured Castletroy would never trail in this contest.
However, they were pegged back to equality early in the second half, before steading and pulling clear once more.
Carrick hung in during the hour, with the game threatening to get away from them early in the first half, as they made a long-awaited return to the top tier of schools hurling.
Liam Reale’s men wasted a handful of great goalscoring openings in the first half, and had they taken one or two of these, they might have had a more comfortable afternoon.
By the 20th minute, it was 1-6 to 0-3 to the Limerick outfit, who’d seen Mark Field finish one handed to the net after an inviting delivery from O’Farrell. The same combination had put them six clear with a point but they would fail score in the final 10 minutes of a frantic opening period.
Eventually, those in red and black found their groove, and rattled off the final five points of the half. Niall O’Brien book ended this run with two frees, while Stefan Tobin and David Comerford also got in on the action.
Comerford had a fine outing though he and Tobin rarely threatened a goal which could have turned the tide in their favour. Castletroy led by one at the short whistle.
The sides were level thanks to a quick Gearoid Power effort but Castletroy, courtesy of a point from O’Farrell and three Ferland frees, moved clear again. But the visitors wouldn’t go away.
There was just a point in it when O’Brien landed a 52nd-minute free, while the pick of their scores arrived from Comerford who pointed from near the sideline.
As the clock moved into the red, Mark Field pushed Castletroy three clear, before Tobin’s ambitious effort for a goal flew over.
A win for John the Baptist over Carrick-on-Suir will see both Limerick sides through, while a Tipperary success will see scoring difference required with Hospital currently holding the advantage.
D Ferland 0-8 (0-6 frees, 0-1 ’65); R O’Farrell 0-5; M Field 1-2; M Fitzgerald 0-1.
N O’Brien 0-7 (all frees); D Comerford 0-4; S Tobin 0-3; G Power 0-2; A Phelan 0-1.
R Widger; T McCarthy, P Canny, M Southern; T D’arcy, C Scully, D Blackwell (Ahane); M Fitzgerald, R O’Farrell (Kildimo Pallaskenry); D Carr (Ahane), D Ferland, H McDermott; B Campbell (St. Patrick’s), C O’Mara (Ahane), M Field.
C Clifford for McDermott (40); L Ryan for Carr (49).
S Cronin (Pultown); B Moriarty (Piltown), E Reid (C), C Phelan (St. Mollerans); C Shankey (Portlaw), A Phelan (Piltown), D Barry (Carrick Swans), D Dunne (Carrick Swans); A O’Halloran (Carrick Swans), G Power (Clonea), S Foley (Carrick Swans); N O’Brien (Piltown), S Tobin (Carrick Swans), D Comerford (St. Mollerans).
C Smith (Carrick Swans) for Foley (40).
John Bugler (Whitegate, Clare)
