Ardscoil Ris leave it late to book Harty Cup quarter-final spot at St Flannan’s expense

The North Circular Road school left it late to secure their passage to the knockout stages of the Dr Harty Cup.

The All-Ireland champions are through to the quarter final of this year’s Dr Harty Cup after a tense 0-12 to 0-10 victory over Ennis side St Flannans in Sixmilebridge.

Late scores from Fintan Fitzgerald and Marc O’ Brien won the game at the death for the Limerick side who can look forward to the knockout stages in January with their opponents, the 2020 champions, eliminated.

It was a tight first half where the sides were level four times as centre forwards Oisin Whelan and Cian Scully traded a number of frees. Points from Daniel Scully and Dara Neville as well as one from a Scully free put the Limerick men up three points to one after ten minutes

Flannans were made to regret missed opportunities after Ardscoil goalkeeper Eoin Deegan produced three fine saves to keep his side ahead. St Flannans also hit eight wides before half time compared to just three for Ardscoil which kept Flannans scoreless from the third to the eighteenth minute of the game.

But a couple approaching half time had the Clare school ahead before Scully levelled to make it 0-5 apiece at the interval.

A Fred Hegarty point and another Whelan free gave Flannan’s a two point advantage ten minutes into the second half. A Fitzgerald free and a point each from Michael Collins and Mikey Gavin, either side of another Whelan free, brought the North Circular men level with ten minutes to play with the game finely poised.

The two sides then traded scores before injury time points from Fitzgerald and O’Brien sealed the win and progression for Ardscoil Ris. This result means Cashel also qualify from the group after beating Flannans in the opening round.

Scorers for Ardscoil Ris: Cian Scully (0-3, 0-2 frees, 1 ’65), Fintan Fitzgerald (0-2, 0-1 free), Daniel Scully, Dara Neville, Mikey Gavin, Michael Collins, Shane Gleeson, Jamie Moylan and Marc O’Brien (all 0-1). 

Scorers for St Flannans: Oisin Whelan (0-5, 0-5 frees), Sam Scalon (0-2), Luca Cleary, Fred Hegarty and Cian Kirby (all 0-1)