Thurles CBS (Tipperary) 1-9

Castletroy CC (Limerick) 0-11

THURLES CBS WITHSTOOD a ferocious second-half revival from Castletroy Community College to progress to their first Dr Harty Cup final since 2010, in a well-contested semi-final in Toomevara this afternoon.

Barry Nash, a Limerick minor star for the past two years, had the chance in the final minute to send the game to a replay, but he mis-hit a scorable free and Castletroy’s chance at a first Harty Cup final appearance disappeared.

Castletroy did superbly well to be in with a chance at the end, having played almost 50 minutes with fourteen men after full-forward Ian Coates was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball strike on Thurles’ Jack Derby.

However, Thurles struggled to make their numerical advantage count in the bitterly cold conditions — until the final five minutes of the first half when they scored three unanswered points from Ronan Heffernan (two frees) and Michael Connors, before Robbie Long struck for the goal in added time, deflecting Heffernan’s free to the net.

Castletroy had the breeze with them after the break and they made it count, with Nash’s free-taking to a high standard, while half-back Andrew La Touche Cosgrave burst forward for two inspirational scores.

However, the Limerick side were unable to level as Thurles kept their noses in front, with Niall Heffernan continuing to be the team’s chief threat in attack.

Thirteen wides from Thurles ensured Castletroy remained in the hunt in the closing stages, with Nash having his side’s best opportunity to force a replay, but it wasn’t to be.

Thurles CBS will play Rochestown College in the final on Saturday, 21 February.

Scorers for Thurles CBS: Niall Heffernan 0-7 (6 frees); Robbie Long 1-0; Kevin Duggan, Michael Connors 0-1 each.

Scorers for Castletroy CC: Barry Nash 0-8 (7 frees); Andrew La Touche Cosgrave 0-3 (1 free)

THURLES CBS

1. William Tierney

2. Chris McCullagh
3. Enda Heffernan
4. Jack Derby

5. Tom Hayes
6. Jack Skehan
7. Dillon Quirke

8. Billy McCarthy
9. Cathal Moloney

10. Michael Connors
11. Kevin Duggan
12. Niall Heffernan

13. Jack Butler
14. Ronan Teehan
15. Robbie Long

Subs

Rory Purcell for Butler (46)
Paul Kennedy for Moloney (48)
Brendan Kelly for Connors (55)

CASTLETROY CC

1. Jamie Power

2. Brian Nash
3. Evan Enright
4. Finn Hourigan

5. David Garry
6. Colum Carroll
7. Darren Golden

8. Lorcan Lyons
9. Ciaran O’Meara

10. Conor Nicholas
11. Barry Nash
12. John Nicholas

13. Andrew La Touche Cosgrave
14. Ian Coates
15. Eoin Hourigan

Subs

Mark O’Dwyer for O’Meara (H-T)

Referee: Nathan Wall (Cork)

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