Goals prove crucial as Doon succumb to Blackwater in Dr Harty Cup opener

SCOIL na Trionoide Naofa, Doon suffered a 3-17 to 1-14 defeat to Blackwater Community School, Lismore in their opening round Dr Harry Cup, Munster colleges' senior 'A' hurling group fixture, at Goatenbridge, Co Tipperary on Wednesday afternoon.

A battling Doon side remained well in the contest at half-time when trailing by just three points, 0-10 to 2-7.

However, the concession of a third goal to the Waterford students five minutes into the second half had the East Limerick side on the back foot and trailing by fve points 0-12 to 3-8.

Blackwater then added five points without reply after scoring that goal to take control of the contest at 3-13 to 0-12.

Doon's hopes of producing a comeback were dented when Lismore goalkeeeper Billy Murphy denied then a precious goal in the 42nd minute when saving a penalty. 

While the Limerick side did manage a goal late on through Josh McLoughlin, the Waterford side were deserving winners.

Diarmuid Crowe scored six points for the Doon side, including three from play, while the lively Jonathon Dawson fired over a hat-trick of points from play and Robbie McGrath contributed four from frees, with Conor Kenny also raising a white flag.

Next up for Scoil na Trionoide Naofa, Doon in Group 3 of the Dr Harty Cup is a crucial Limerick derby meeting with John the Baptist Community School, Hospital, on Wednesday, Nobember 5, a fixture which will have a huge imapct on the sides' prospects of advancing to the knock-out stages of the competition.

On a perfect mild, calm afternoon for hurling the sides were level three times in the opening seven minutes. Conor Kenny, topscorer Diarmuid Crowe and Jonathon Dawson fired over points for Scoil na Trionoide Naofa.

A foul on Kenny saw Robbie McGrath fire the Doon side into a 0-4 to 0-3 lead on eight minutes.

However, the complexion of the game changed when Lismore struck for two goals between the 11th and 18th minutes. Corner forward Seán Óg Costin rifled home the first, while topscorer Ben Cummins blasted home the second as his well-struck penalty flew into the Doon net after midfielder Jack Twomey had been fouled.

Lismore now led by 2-4 to 0-6 and a Twomey point soon after stretched the Waterford side's lead out to seven points, 2-6 to 0-5.

To their credit, a hard-working Doon side, propelled by the likes of Darragh Coughlan, outscored their opponents 0-4 to 0-2 over the remainder of the half, through three scores from Crowe, including two points from play, and one from Dawson to be right back in contention when trailing by just three points at the break.

The opening stages of the second half were always going to be key and it was Blackwater who made the faster start as Twomey, Joseph McDonnell, and David O'Farrell combined for Adam Cummins to blast home an excellent team goal after 35 minutes.

Indeed, Lismore racked up 1-5 without reply between the 35th and 46th minutes to take control of the fixture.

The pick of their scores included a terrific long range effort from their Waterford All-Ireland minor medal winner Hugo Quann.

Doon did earn an opportunity to get back into the contest when Robbie McGrath set up McLoughlin who was fouled as he bore down on goal.

However, Blackwater goalkeeper Billy Murphy produced a top class save to deny Eamon Richardson's blast for goal.

Crowe landed a terrific long range free for Doon in the 49th minute to leave nine points between the sides, 3-13 to 0-13.

The East Limerick side managed to raise a green flag in the 57th minute when, after Conor Kenney's initial shot was saved, an alert McLoughlin pounced on the rebound to fire the sliotar to the net.

However, the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt as Lismore emerged clear-cut winners.

SCORERS: Blackwater Community School: Bem Cummins (1-11, 1-0 penalty, 0-8 frees, 0-1 '65); Adam Cummins, Seán Óg Costin 1-1 each; Joseph McDonnell 0-2; Hugo Quann, Jack Twomey 0-1 each. Scoil na Tríonóide Naofa: Diarmuid Crowe 0-6, (0-2 frees, 0-1 '65); Robbie McGrath 0-4, (frees); Josh McLoughlin 1-0; Jonathon Dawson 0-3; Conor Kenny 0-1.

BLACKWATER COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Billy Murphy (Cois Bhríde); Leigh Dunford (Modeligo), Josh Kiely (Lismore), Keelan Dunne (Lismore); Brian Bourke (Ballyduff Upper), Hugo Quann (Lismore), Ross Kavanagh (St Oliver’s); Brian Scanlon (The Geraldines), Jack Twomey (Cappoquin); Ben Cummins (Lismore), Joseph McDonnell (Tallow), Adam Cummins (Lismore); Seán Óg Costin (The Geraldines), Darra O’Brien (Ballysaggart) (Capt), David O’Farrell (Lismore). SUBS: Jack Henley (Tallow) for Kavanagh (half-time), Leo Mulhall (St Oliver’s) for O’Farrell (44 mins), Shay Healy (St Oliver’s) for Dunne (52 mins), Jack Lonergan (St Oliver’s) for O’Brien (59 mins).

SCOIL NA TRÍONÓIDE NAOFA: Mali Keogh (Cappamore); Fionn Roche (Doon), Cathal Mulcahy (Cappamore), Pakie Richardson (Doon); Ciarán Gantley (Cappawhite), Eamon Richardson (Doon), Denis Blackmore (Doon); Diarmuid Crowe (Doon), Sean Hanley (Doon); Darragh Coughlan (Doon), Daire Long (Pallasgreen), Robbie McGrath (Doon); Jonathon Dawson (Seán Treacys), Conor Kenny (Doon), Josh McLoughlin (Doon). SUB: Charlie Stokes (Pallasgreen) for Mulcahy (half-time).

Referee: Shane O’Neill (St Mary’s).