*The St Josephs v Blackwater Lismore match on Wednesday. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
St Flannans 2-20 Our Ladys, Templemore 1-19
St Flannans College, Ennis will face St Josephs Tulla in the semi-final of the Dr Harty cup, Munster colleges senior A hurling championship after they overcame Our Ladys Templemore in a hard fought contest at TUS Moylish on this Friday afternoon.
Things didn’t look good for the Ennis side at half time when they trailed their opponents by six points (0-8 to 1-11) but a strong opening period to the second half saw them take control.
The introduction of Thomas O’Connor, (St Josephs, Doora-Barefield) played a huge part in helping the winners to get the upperhand.
Goals from Darragh McNamara (Clooney-Quin) and O’Connor inside seven minutes of the restartt levelled the tie and while the Tipperary school still managed to create some chances St Flannans had the better of matters in key areas from here on.
The sides were level at 2-13 to 1-16 at the three quarter stage but the winners then hit 0-6 to a sole reply and this proved to be crucial. The margin was back to three as the game entered ‘injury time’ but the only score in the seven minutes of added time was a St. Flannans point from midfielder Isaac Hassett (Clooney-Quin).
St Flannans will be concerned at the fact that they registered a total of 15 wides, eleven more than their opponents.
Their scorers on the day were; Darragh McNamara (1-4); Harry Doherty (0-6, 4f) Thomas O’Connor (1-1); Geaham Ball (0-3) Darragh Ball, Isaac Hassettt (0-2) each; Eoin O’Connor, James Culllinan (0-1) each
This victory came at the end of a difficult week for all involved with the St Flannans team following the death of student TJ Chambers (Ballyea) in a road accident last weekend.
Darragh and Graham Ball, James Cullinan, Colm Daly, Darragh McNamara and substitute Thomas O’Connor were to the fore in this tie.
The semi-final against St. Josephs Tulla will take place on Saturday week, January 17 at a venue and time to be confirmed. On the same date Nenagh CBS will take on Thurles CBS in the other semi-final.
