Harty Cup final: Thurles topple Rochestown

February 21, 2015

©INPHO

Thurles CBS 2-12

St. Francis' College, Rochestown 1-12

First half goals from Kevin Duggan and Billy McCarthy proved decisive as Thurles CBS claimed their eighth Dr Harty Cup at Rochestown's expense in Mallow.

The Tipperary boys scored four unanswered points in the final 11 minutes to claim their first title since 2009 and end Rochestown's dreams of a Munster PP senior hurling and football double. The Cork school came from four points down at half-time to lead 1-12 to 2-8 entering the final stages, but late points from the outstanding McCarthy (two), Duggan and Michael Connors saw Thurles - who had Niall Heffernan sent off in stoppage-time - prevail.

In a game which was level five times, Rochestown drew first blood when Ciaran Cormack scored a superb goal in the 10th minute, but Duggan replied with a similar score six minutes later and McCarthy raised the winners' second green flag at the end of the first half to give them a 2-7 to 1-6 interval lead.

With Cormack and Shane Kingston to the fore, St. Francis' College restarted strongly and were level by the 44th minute. But Thurles finished the stronger.

Scorers - Thurles CBS: B McCarthy 1-2, K Duggan 1-1, N Heffernan 0-4f, R Long 0-2, P Kennedy, R Teehan & M Connors 0-1 each. Rochestown: C Cormack 1-6 (0-5f), S Kingston 0-4, S Powter and D Meaney 0-1 each.

Thurles CBS: W Tierney; D Quirke, E Heffernan, J Derby; T Hayes, J Skehan, C McCullagh; B McCarthy, C Moloney; N Heffernan, K Duggan, P Kennedy; J Butler, R Teehan, R Long. Subs: M Connors for Butler (54), R Purcell for Moloney (56).

Rochestown: A Cullinane; D Murphy, J Cashman, N Walsh; D Kelliher, D Griffin, C Sheehan; E O'Brien, J O'Sullivan; C Cormack, D O'Mahony, S Kington; D Meaney, S Powter, L O'Sullivan. Subs: K O'Donovan for Sheehan (30), M McAuliffe for L O'Sullivan (33), J Holland for O'Mahony (37), L Dineen for O'Brien (60).

Referee: Damien Fox (Clare).


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