REIGNING CHAMPIONS DUNGARVAN Colleges, Our Lady’s (Templemore) and Ardscoil Rís all booked their places in the Dr Harty Cup semi-finals this afternoon.
Dungarvan Colleges were successful in the Waterford derby by 0-14 to 0-10 over Blackwater CS in the Fraher Field in Dungarvan.
Our Lady’s (Templemore) prevailed by the minimum, 2-5 to 0-10, against Midleton CBS in Cahir.
And Ardscoil Rís enjoyed a 0-14 to 1-6 against Doon CBS in the all-Limerick clash in Bruff.
An 0-8 haul from attacker Patrick Curran was central to Dungarvan Colleges victory over Blackwater CS. In a tightly-contested match the winners enjoyed a 0-7 to 0-6 lead at the interval.
The opening-half had been primarily a scoring battle between Curran and his Blackwater CS counterpart David Geary as both players hit five points apiece.
In the second-half Dungarvan Colleges started to insert daylight between the teams with Darragh Lyons and Colin Dunford assisting Curran in the scoring stakes.
Dungarvan Colleges had moved 0-11 to 0-7 clear by the end of the third quarter and ultimately held on for a four-point success.
They will meet the winners of tomorrow’s quarter-final between Thurles CBS and Castletroy College, in the semi-final on February 3rd.
Brian Kennedy was the match-winner for Our Lady’s Templemore as his late point secured them a 2-5 to 0-10 success against Midleton CBS.
In difficult weather conditions in Cahir, the Tipperary school had lead 2-3 to 0-6 at the interval.
Last year’s All-Ireland minor winner John McGrath raised their first green flag when his long-range free flew to the net and the second goal was registered by Drom-Inch player Tommy Nolan who fired home a superb ground shot.
Midleton CBS, inspired by midfielder Joe Mellerick who shot 0-8, drew level at 2-4 to 0-10 at the end of the third quarter but could not forge ahead.
Kennedy, who grabbed 0-3 overall, ensured Our Lady’s held on to reach their school’s first semi-final since 2011 when they were defeated by Charleville CBS.
Ardscoil Rís, who lead by 0-9 to 0-2 at the break, saw their corner-back Josh O’Halloran sent-off for a second yellow card offence just after half-time.
But they remained in control as they lead by 0-12 to 0-6 with ten minutes left and successfully closed the game out despite Doon CBS registering a late goal from Pat Cummins.
Ronan Lynch and Michael Casey were both outstanding in the half-back line while the scoring charge was lead up front by Cian O’Brien and Colin Crehan who shot 0-4 apiece with David Dempsey and Eoin Keogh notching a brace of points each.
