Harty Cup S-F – St. Francis College 4-11 Ard Scoil Rís 1-17

St. Francis College Rochestown defeated Ard Scoil Ris by 4-11 to 1-17 in the Dr. Harty Cup Semi-Final on Saturday January 31st at Charleville.

Click to view photos from the game

Rochestown stay on track for quadruple after beating Ard Scoil Rís

By Denis Hurley for the Irish Examiner newspaper

St Francis College, Rochestown 4-11 Ard Scoil Rís 1-17: Dr Harty Cup semi-final: Not since Midleton CBS’s win of 2006 has a Cork school inscribed its name on the Dr Harty Cup, but the possibility of that run ending remains a live possibility after this Charleville cracker.

On Saturday, Rochestown’s St Francis College continued their pitch for the perfect season and maintained hopes of an incredible quadruple with a fine all-round performance against holders Ardscoil Rís. The O’Callaghan Cup (Cork SAHC) is already in the cabinet, the final of its football equivalent (Simcox Cup) is approaching and next Saturday they face St Brendan’s of Killarney in the Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final.

A first-ever Harty would cap it all and selector Diarmuid Fahy expressed his delight after an impressive win. “It’s a massive achievement for the school,” he said. “They kept their heads all through, they were fantastic.

Though the point-scoring sights will have to be calibrated before the final against Thurles, it was otherwise hard to fault Rochestown. Seán Powter’s two goals were a great reward for his industry while 1-3 and 1-2 respectively from Ciarán Cormack and Shane Kingston won’t surprise any observers of underage hurling in Cork.

John Cashman and David Griffin at full- and centre-back, switched from their usual posts, helped to lead a good defensive effort and at midfield John O’Sullivan ran himself to a standstill, scoring one point but involved at the coalface for countless others.

Rochestown enjoyed a dream start, up 0-6 to 0-2 and 0-7 to 0-3 inside 20 minutes despite playing against the wind. Kingston went close to an early goal too, but there appeared to be an inevitability about how Ardscoil began to claw their way back into the game.

Ronan Lynch led the charge as they drew level only for Powter to fire to the net for ‘Roco’ on 28 minutes after he had extracted the ball from a scrum of players. Even still, though, Ardscoil managed to tie matters by half-time, Peter Casey with two fine points and then Nathan Fox with a long-range effort.

Casey and Lynch then put the Limerick school ahead for the first time early in the second half, but when the difficult questions were asked, Rochestown had the answers. Diarmaid O’Mahony levelled from halfway after Griffin had batted down a ball he shouldn’t have got to, and then Kingston struck for a goal, cracking a powerful shot from the right after he had created the chance himself.

Casey’s fifth point left just two in it, but then Rochestown bagged a third goal. Kingston’s long-range goal attempt looked speculative but it required goalkeeper Seán Mullane to parry the ball and Powter slid in to force the ball over the line. Points from Lynch kept Ardscoil within touching distance but once more Rochestown came up with a goal when required and the best was saved until last. O’Sullivan played a nice ball to Powter and his pass was beautifully controlled by Cormack, who applied a lovely finish.

That made it 4-10 to 0-15, but even then Ardscoil weren’t lying down. Lynch added two more frees to bring his tally to nine points, though when Daniel Meaney pointed in injury time it looked to have decided the outcome. There was time for Ardscoil to win a late penalty but though Lynch drilled that home, it was the last action. The final awaits for Rochestown.

“A lot of the lads will be playing next Saturday again against Brendan’s but they’re managing well,” Fahy said. They’re well looked after in their clubs, which is very important too. The support from them and the school community is fantastic. There are a lot of wise heads on young shoulders.”

Scorers for Rochestown: S Powter 2-0, C Cormack 1-3 (three frees), S Kingston 1-2, J O’Sullivan, D O’Mahony 0-2 each, L O’Sullivan, D Meaney 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ardscoil Rís: R Lynch 1-9 (1-0 penalty, seven frees), P Casey 0-5 (two frees), N Fox, M Mackey, P O’Loughlin 0-1 each.

ROCHESTOWN COLLEGE: A Cullinane (Douglas); D Murphy (Douglas), J Cashman (Blackrock), N Walsh (Douglas); C Sheehan (Douglas), D Griffin (Carrigaline), D Kelliher (Cobh); E O’Brien (Douglas), J O’Sullivan (Blackrock); D Meaney (Blackrock), D O’Mahony (Douglas), S Kingston (Blackrock); L O’Sullivan (Blackrock), C Cormack (Blackrock), S Powter (Douglas).
Subs: M McAuliffe (Douglas) for L O’Sullivan (54), K O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers) for Sheehan (57).

ARD SCOIL RÍS: S Mullane (Mungret); S Hogan (Adare), N Fox (Parteen), J Boylan (Na Piarsaigh); C Holihan (Na Piarsaigh), T Grimes (Na Piarsaigh), S Phelan (Broadford); E Ryan (Adare), J Flynn (Patrickswell); M Mackey (Adare), A Gillane (Patrickswell), P O’Loughlin (Clonlara); P Casey (Na Piarsaigh), R Lynch (Na Piarsaigh), C Boylan (Na Piarsaigh).
Subs: K Howard (Old Christians) for Boylan (half-time), E Mulcahy (Mungret) for Ryan (42).

Referee: D Fox (Clare)

Rochestown College overcome the champions to reach their first ever Harty Cup decider

Rochestown College (Cork) 4-11 Ardscoil Rís (Limerick) 1-17

Report from the42.ie

GOALS WERE CRUCIAL for St Francis College, Rochestown, whose dream season continued as they dethroned Dr Harty Cup holders Ardscoil Rís in their semi-final at Charleville today. Rochestown only trailed once in the whole game, after points from Aaron Gillane and Ronan Lynch had put Ardscoil 0-12 to 1-8 clear early in the second half, but the response was emphatic.

Diarmaid O’Mahony’s point levelled matters before Shane Kingston netted in the 41st minute. Though the impressive Peter Casey responded for Ardscoil, Rochestown’s third goal arrived soon after as Seán Powter slid in for his second green flag after Seán Mullane had saved from Kingston.

That opened up a four-point advantage, 3-9 to 0-14, and when Ciarán Cormack rounded off a beautiful move with skilful control and a perfect finish on 55, it was 4-10 to 0-15.

Like any good champions, Ardscoil died hard as Lynch pointed twice and then, after a point from Rochestown midfielder John O’Sullivan – who was excellent throughout – the Limerick side were awarded a penalty. Lynch drilled his shot past the three men on the line to give himself a personal tally of 1-9 and leave just three points in it, but it proved to be the last action.

In the first half, Rochestown had led by four points on two separate occasions but poor shooting was costly and Lynch had helped Ardscoil to level by the 26th minute. While Powter’s first goal gave Rochestown breathing space again, points from Casey (two) and Nathan Fox left it level at the break. In their first ever Dr Harty Cup final, Rochestown will play Thurles CBS on Saturday, 21 February.

Scorers for Rochestown: Seán Powter 2-0, Ciarán Cormack 1-3 (0-3 frees), Shane Kingston 1-2, John O’Sullivan, Diarmaid O’Mahony 0-2 each, Liam O’Sullivan, Daniel Meaney 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ardscoil Rís: Ronan Lynch 1-9 (1-0 penalty, 0-7 frees), Peter Casey 0-5 (0-2 frees), Nathan Fox, Michael Mackey, Páraic O’Loughlin 0-1 each.

ROCHESTOWN COLLEGE
1. Andrew Cullinane (Douglas)
2. Donnchadh Murphy (Douglas)
6. John Cashman (Blackrock)
4. Nathan Walsh (Douglas)
7. Cathal Sheehan (Douglas)
3. David Griffin (Carrigaline)
5. Darragh Kelliher (Cobh)
8. Eoghan O’Brien (Douglas)
9. John O’Sullivan (Blackrock)
25. Daniel Meaney (Blackrock)
11. Diarmaid O’Mahony (Douglas)
12. Shane Kingston (Blackrock)
15. Liam O’Sullivan (Blackrock)
10. Ciarán Cormack (Blackrock)
14. Seán Powter (Douglas)
Subs
17. Matthew McAuliffe (Douglas) for Liam O’Sullivan (54)
23. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers) for Sheehan (57)

ARDSCOIL RÍS
1. Seán Mullane (Mungret)
2. Seán Hogan (Adare)
7. Nathan Fox (Parteen)
4. Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
5. Conor Holihan (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Thomas Grimes (Na Piarsaigh)
3. Seán Phelan (Broadford)
13. Eoin Ryan (Adare)
15. John Flynn (Patrickswell)
11. Michael Mackey (Adare)
9. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
12. Páraic O’Loughlin (Clonlara)
35. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
8. Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
Subs
28. Kevin Howard (Old Christians) for Boylan (half-time)
17. Eoghan Mulcahy (Mungret) for Ryan (42)

Referee: Damien Fox (Clare)

Click to view photos from the game

When – Saturday January 31^st at 3pm

Where – Charleville

Referee – Damien Fox (Clare)

Extra time to be played if necessary

Admission Prices

Adults – €5
Students / OAP’s – €3

All Media and Munster Council passes accepted.

Paths to the Quarter-Final

Ard Scoil Ris
Round 1 – Ard Scoil Ris 1-20 Blackwater CS 0-9
Round 2 – Bye
Round 3 – Thurles CBS 3-12 Ard Scoil Ris 0-12
Round 4 – Ard Scoil Ris 1-21 West Limerick College 0-11
Round 5 – Ardscoil Ris 3-14 St. Flannans 2-11
Quarter-Final – Ard Scoil Ris 1-16 Hamilton High School Bandon 1-11

St. Francis College Rochestown
Round 1 – St Francis College Rochestown 2-14 Charleville CBS 0-13
Round 2 – Bye
Round 3 – St Francis College Rochestown 1-18 PS Youghal 1-8
Round 4 – St Francis College Rochestown 0-16 St Caimins Shannon 0-13
Round 5 – St Francis College Rochestown 2-13 Our Ladys Templemore 0-16
Quarter-Final – St. Francis College Rochestown 3-9 Nenagh CBS 2-8

For the Record

Dr. Harty Cup Knockout Stages

Quarter-Finals

A          Ard Scoil Ris 1-16 Hamilton High School Bandon 1-11

B          St. Francis College Rochestown 3-9 Nenagh CBS 2-8

C         Castletroy CC 1-14 Pobalscoil Na Tríonóide 0-16

D         Thurles CBS 2-8 Gaelcolaiste Mhuire AG 1-10 

Semi-Finals

Fixed for Saturday January 31^st

Castletroy CC V Thurles CBS in Toomevara at 12 noon
Ard Scoil Ris V St Francis Col Rochestown in Charleville at 3pm

Final

Fixed for Saturday February 21st 

Team Panels

Ard Scoil Ris

1.Sean Mullane       Mungret

2. Sean Hogan         Adare

3.Sean Phelan         Broadford

4.Jerome Boylan      Na Piarsaigh

5.Conor Houlihan    Na Piarsaigh

6.Thomas Grimes     Na Piarsaigh (VC)

7.Nathan Fox            Parteen

8.Ronan Lynch        Na Piarsaigh (C)

9.Aaron Gillane        Patrickswell

10.Eoin Ryan           Adare

11.Michael Mackey  Adare

12.Paraic O Loughlin          Clonlara

13.Peter Casey         Na Piarsaigh

14.Conor Boylan      Na Piarsaigh

15.John Flynn          Patrickswell

Subs:

16.Eoghan Foley     Na Piarsaigh

17.Eoghan Mulcahy            Mungret

18.Kevin Howard     Old Christians

19.Gerard Kearns    Claughaun

20.Sean Moran        Mungret

21.David Fitzgerald Clonlara

22.Jeff Ryan Parteen

23. Mark Connolly   Adare

24. Michael Andrews          Na Piarsaigh

25.Paul Moloney      Broadford

26.Cian Moriarty       Clonlara

27.Michael Danagher         Cratloe

28.Rory Duff Mungret

29.Luke Buckley      Adare

30.Michael Fitzgibbon        Mungret

31.Kevin Daly           Na Piarsaigh

32.Brian Curtin         Adare

Team Management; Niall Moran, Paul Flanagan, Barry Hennessy, Fergal Lyons

St. Francis College Rochestown

1          Andrew Cullinane   Douglas

2          Donnchadh Murphy            Douglas

3          David Griffin(c)         Carrigaline

4          Nathan Walsh          Douglas

5          Darragh Kelliher      Cobh

6          John Cashman        Blackrock

7          Cathal Sheehan      Douglas

8          Eoghan O Brien       Douglas

9          John O Sullivan       Blackrock

10        Ciaran Cormack       Blackrock

11        Diarmaid O Mahony            Douglas

12        Shane Kingston       Douglas

13        Paddy Lynch             Blackrock

14        Sean Power              Douglas

15        Liam O’Sullivan       Blackrock

Subs;

16       Daniel O Mahony   Blackrock

17        Matthew McAulliffe  Douglas

18        Rory Crowley            Blackrock

19        David Stack               Carrigaline

20        Ryan Cantwell         Blackrock

21        Ross Coleman         Blackrock

22        James Holland         Douglas

23        Kevin O’Donovan    Nemo Rangers

24        Liam Dineen             Douglas

25        Daniel Meaney         Blackrock

26        David O Regan        Douglas

27        Luke Dunlea             Ballygarvan

28        Daniel O Flaherty    Tracton

29        Sam McGrath            Douglas

30        Jason Murray            Douglas

31        Barry Grainger          Blackrock

32        Brian Turnbull          Douglas

33        Ronan Buckley        Blackrock

34        Paul Davidson         Douglas

35        Philip Buckley          Blackrock

36        Chris Murray             Carrigaline

37        Cian O’Driscoll         Douglas

Team Management; Diarmaid Fahy (Courcey Rovers), Michael Cullen (Fr. O’Neills), Humphrey Canty (Newcestown) & Aidan Lonergan (Rosegreen)

Dr. Harty Cup Tables after Group Stages

Dr. Harty Cup Roll Of Honour

St. Flannan’s, Ennis (21) – 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1952, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005

North Monastery, Cork (19) – 1919, 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1955, 1960, 1961, 1970, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1994

Limerick CBS (10) – 1920, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1932, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1993

St Colman’s College, Fermoy (9) – 1948, 1949, 1977, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003

Thurles CBS (7) – 1933, 1938, 1939, 1950, 1951, 1956, 2009

St. Finbarr’s, Cork (7) – 1963, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1984

Rockwell College (5) – 1918, 1923, 1924, 1930, 1931

Ardscoil Rís, Limerick (3) – 2010, 2011, 2013

Midleton CBS  (3) – 1988, 1995, 2006

De La Salle College Waterford (2) – 2007, 2008

St. Munchin’s  (1) – 1922

Mount Sion (1) – 1953

Abbey CBS, Tipperary Town (1) – 1959

Rice College, Ennis (1) – 1962

Coláiste Chríost Rí (1) – 1968

Colaiste Iognaid Ris, Cork (1) – 1975

Templemore CBS (1) – 1978

Colaiste na nDeise (1) – 2012