Stoppage time heartbreak for Ardscoil Rís in Harty Cup final

There was stoppage time heart-break for Ardscoil Rís as they fell to St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh in the 2023/2024 Dr. Harty Cup final.

Leading by two points, a goal from Andy Hoolan with virtually the last action, gave the Tipperary school a maiden crown.

Liam Cronin’s side had led by two when Patrick Kearney added to Marc O’Brien’s free, with time nearly up. There was little to separate these two quality sides throughout, though Ardscoil had created a winning position with the two minutes of additional time elapsed.

The teams were deadlocked, 1-8 to 0-11 at half-time. Austin Duff’s goal brought Nenagh back into the tie after a decent first quarter from the Limerick school. Fintan Fitzgerald, Daniel Scully and Marc O’Brien were all on target but in reply Darragh McCarthy led the Tipperary tilt.

Level seven times in the second stanza, Ardscoil forged ahead with the time in the red. There was an initial save from Fionn O’Brien to deny Brian O’Meara. Ardscoil couldn’t clear, and they paid the ultimate price when Hoolan scrambled the sliothar home.

The South Circular Road college have a second chance of glory, with the All-Ireland series to start later this month.

Scorers for St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh: Darragh McCarthy 0-7 (0-4 frees); Austin Duff 1-1; Andy Hoolan 1-0; Eoghan Doughan 0-3; Mason Cawley 0-3; Ciaran Foley 0-2.

Scorers for Ardscoil Rís: Fintan Fitzgerald, Marc O’Brien (0-1 frees) 0-5 each; Danny Chaplin (0-2frees), Michael Collins 0-3 each; Eoin Begley 0-2; Darragh Gleeson, Daniel Scully, Patrick Kearney 0-1 each.

ST JOSEPH’S CBS NENAGH (all Tipperary): Simon Grace (Ballina); Conor Grace (Burgess), Cian Connolly (Nenagh Éire Óg), Gavin McGrath (Kiladangan); Jack Doran (Toomevara), Jake Hackett (Toomevara), Andy Hoolan (Moneygall); Ciaran Foley (Borrisokane), Mason Cawley (Nenagh Éire Óg); Jack Mulcahy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara, Capt), Zack Keller (Nenagh Éire Óg); Aodhan O’Connor (Nenagh Éire Óg), Danny Quinn (Silvermines), Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall).

Subs: Austin Duff (Toomevara) for Quinn (25); Darragh Treacy (Silvermines) for Keller (48); Joe O’Dwyer (Burgess) for Mulcahy (51).

ARDSCOIL RÍS (Limerick unless stated): Fionn O’Brien (Bruree); John O’Keeffe (Na Piarsaigh), Sean McMahon (Smith O’Briens, Clare), Sean Morrissey (Dromin-Athlacca); James Finn (Na Piarsaigh), Jamie Moylan (Cratloe, Clare), Diarmuid Scully (Dromin-Athlacca); Riain McNamara (Cratloe, Clare), Matthew O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge, Clare); Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara, Clare), Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret St Paul’s), Michael Collins (Clonlara, Clare); Danny Chaplin (Sixmilebridge, Clare), Marc O’Brien (Cratloe, Clare), Eoin Begley (Clonlara, Clare).

Subs: Darragh Gleeson (Adare) for O’Keeffe (half-time); Patrick Kearney (Adare) for Chaplin (39); Brian O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for O’Connor (55), Jack Cosgrove for Stritch (58), Sean Arthur (Newmarket on Fergus) for Collins (63).

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)