ST FLANNAN’S COLLEGE are keen to end a five year wait for Dr Harty Cup honours.
A 3-20 2-7 win over Gaelcholáiste Mhuire (Cork) in the semi-finals saw St Flannan’s book their place in Saturday’s final.
Team mentor, Michael Donnellan reflecting on their semi-final noted there were several aspects to their game they weren’t happy with. “We had a fair idea that they would bring a really strong running game. We were a little disappointed going in at half-time as we stopped tracking the runners a small bit and they came into the game and got that goal, and I suppose it woke us up a little bit”.
Donnellan continued, “a little bit disappointed with the intensity we brought in the second half, but I suppose being that far ahead, it’s always likely. Overall, though, we are happy, and we came through injury-free”.
They drew with their final opponents, Thurles CBS in the opening round. “After that game in Cappamore, we said it was unlikely we would see a better team. That said, we played De La Salle, who have just lost to Thurles in the other semi-final, in a challenge early in the season, and they were also very good”.
Donnellan a native of Newmarket-on-Fergus admitted the five year wait to return to the Harty final was a long one for the Ennis secondary school. “We hadn’t even got to a semi-final since. A lot of these lads were involved last year, and they were really gutted in Meelick when they went out with a whimper against Thurles in the quarter-final. They are a really well-driven bunch, and it’s completely player-led, and hopefully now we can have a good cut off Thurles”.
