Fantastic finish secures back-to-back wins for De La Salle
Oran Hegarty, St Colman's College, Fermoy blocking the path of Darragh Hearne, De La Salle College, Waterford in their TUS Dr Harty Cup match at the Fraher Field, Dungarvan. Picture Dan Linehan
A strong finish secured vital points for De La Salle College as they recorded back-to-back wins in the Dr. Harty Cup. Victory against Midleton CBS will see last year’s semi-finalists top the group following their eight-point success against St. Colman’s College Fermoy.
The sides were locked at 0-11 to 1-8 at the interval, but St. Colman’s could only muster 1-3 after the break, allowing Dermot Dooley’s men to kick on at the finish for a statement victory.
It was blow for blow in the early phases, as both sides tried to find their feet - freetakers Eoin Burke and Cormac Barry traded multiple scores. Darragh Keane is more renowned for being a superb defender, but he scored a superb point which drew applause all around to nudge De La Salle in front although it wasn’t long before they found themselves behind.
The weather conditions were far from favourable and with rucks developing, the Deise side failed to clear their lines and the sliotar went to Ruairc Donovan who stepped inside on the right flank and unleashed a rocket to the top left corner past James Comerford on 10 minutes to nudge the North Cork men ahead.
Further scores from Barry and the impressive Tadhg McCarthy made it 1-6 to 0-5 but the outstanding Shane Power took it upon himself to reduce arrears, notching two trademark efforts but a well-taken dead ball from Barry had De La Salle three behind approaching the half-time whistle.
Roanmore man Eoin Burke was just as accurate from dead balls however, and with forwards Ollie Fives and Power causing problems - every time they were hauled down, Burke punished them and it was all even at the break.
Whatever was said at the interval worked the oracle for De La Salle, they hit four of the first five scores - Fives, Power and Darragh Hickey made their mark while the opposition struggled to convert possession into scores. Against the run of play, they did score a second goal and suddenly it was level again.
Once again, it was a result of a goalmouth scramble, and Denis Fitzgerald rounded Comerford to bundle home and make it 2-9 to 0-15 down the home straight. Substitute Mikey Moloney was superb upon his introduction and chipped in with 0-3 in total, though another substitute Conor O’Riordan threatened to inspire a fightback from the Fermoy men.
In the eight minutes that remained, eight points were hit and De La Salle hit them all. Their purple patch arrived at the perfect time as Moloney, Shane and Jack Power, Fives and Jamie Shanahan secured the result.
A morale boosting finish that stands them in good stead to top the group should they see off Midleton next time.
Eoin Burke (0-9; 0-8f); Shane Power (0-6); Mikey Moloney and Ollie Fives (0-3 each); Darragh Keane, Jack Power, Jamie Shanahan (f), Darragh Hickey (0-1 each).
Cormac Barry (0-4; 0-4f); Ruairc Donovan and Denis Fitzgerald (1-0 each); Tadhg McCarthy (0-3); David Barry, Jack Counihan, Finn O’Driscoll and Conor O’Riordan (0-1 each).
James Comerford (Ballygunner); Darragh Keane (De La Salle), Charlie O’Callaghan (De La Salle), Andrew Power (Ballygunner); Eddie O’Reilly (Ballygunner), Conor Power (De La Salle), Jack Power (Ballygunner); Shane Power (De La Salle), Eoin Burke (Roanmore); Toby Ryan (De La Salle), Jamie Shanahan (Erin’s Own), Daniel Ryan (Roanmore); Darragh Doyle (De La Salle), Ollie Fives (Ballygunner), Cathal O’Brien (Passage).
Darragh Collins (Kilworth); Jack Batterberry (Ballycastle Gaels), James Mullery (Fermoy), Billy Ryan (Watergrasshill); David Barry (Watergrasshill), Cathal Barry (Bride Rovers), Denis Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers); Finn O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers), Jack Counihan (Watergrasshill); Ruairc Donovan (Fermoy), Cormac Barry (Bride Rovers), John O’Keeffe (Fermoy); Oran Hegarty (Kilworth), Tadhg McCarthy (Watergrasshill), Sam McCarthy (Castlelyons).
Thomas Walsh (Waterford)
