Ardscoil Rís open Dr Harty Cup campaign with eight-point victory over Cashel Community School

Ardscoil Ris made a winning start to their Dr. Harty Cup campaign beating Cashel Community School 2-23 to 2-15 at Cappamore this Wednesday afternoon.

The Limerick side were far superior and could’ve won by a greater margin having registered 19 wides, 12 in the second half. Contrastingly, Cashel only had nine.

Ardscoil led for most of the contest. Niall Crowe’s men were five points clear at the break and finished with eight points to spare.

Cashel Community School led two points to no score inside five minutes. Shane Cooney opened the scoring from a free and 60 seconds later, Tudor Meracre added a point from play.

John O’Keefe got Ardscoil off the mark by slotting over a free on seven minutes. Two minutes later, Eoin Brosnan edged the Limerick side in front.

Ardscoil doubled their advantage on 15 minutes when Ian O’Brien found the net following a superb run by John O’Connor.

Ten minutes later, William Colville replied with one for Cashel and halved the deficit by pouncing on a loose ball from close range.

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The Limerick side responded impressively. Three unanswered points from Eoin Brosnan, John O’Keeffe (free) and Jack Cosgrave saw Ardscoil lead 1-12 to 1-7 at half-time.

Ardscoil showed incredible urgency after the resumption, Ian O’Brien opened their second-half account after just 23 seconds. 60 seconds later, Jack Cosgrave made it a seven-point game.

The sides subsequently traded three points each before Cashel reduced the margin to four points on 41 minutes.

An impressive move culminated with Senan Mackey collecting the ball and firing a powerful shot to the roof of the net. However, Ardscoil still led 1-17 to 2-10.

Ardscoil quickly recovered momentum. Seven minutes later, John O’Keeffe registered their second goal giving the Limerick side an eight-point cushion.

Cashel reduced the margin to five points on 54 minutes. Two pointed frees from Charlie Hall sandwiched Charlie Walsh’s effort from play.

The sides subsequently traded two points each before three unanswered points saw Ardscoil seal a convincing victory; Jack Cosgrave, Gavin O’Brien and Conor Conlon Ryan all on target.

The result leaves Ardscoil on top of the group and are the only side to taste victory on the opening day. The other game between St. Flannan’s and Nenagh CBS ended in a draw, 2-18 to 1-21.

 SCORERS: ARDSCOIL RIS: Ian O’Brien 1-4, John O’Keeffe 1-4 (0-4f), Jack Cosgrove 0-6, Eoin Brosnan, Shane Waters (0-2 each), David O’Keeffe, Conor Conlon Ryan, John O’Connor and Malachy McKenna, Gavin O’Brien (0-1 each).

CASHEL COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Shane Cooney 0-6 (6f), Charlie Hall 0-4 (0-3f, 1’65), William Colville, Senan Mackey (1-0 each), Charlie Walsh, Conor Fogarty (0-2 each), Tudor Meracre (0-1)

ARDSCOIL RIS: Marcus Murphy; Eoin Hennessy, Jack O’Halloran, Evan Ryan; Conor Ryan, Eoin Brosnan, Adam Fitzsimons; David O’Keeffe, Conor Conlon Ryan; John O’Connor, Jack Cosgrove Malachy McKenna; John O’Keeffe, Shane Waters, Ian O’Brien.

SUBS: Rian Horgan for Shane Waters (42 minutes) Gavin O’Brien for Jack Cosgrave (temporary sub on 45 minutes), Gavin O’Brien for John O’Keeffe (46 minutes), Aaron Kelly for Conor Ryan (56 minutes).

CASHEL COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Kieran O’Neill; Rory O’Mahony, Noah O’Flynn, Kyle Cully; Senan Mackey, Brian O’Donoghue, Tommy O’Connor; Charlie Walsh, William Colville; Charlie Hall, Shane Cooney, Cian Fitzgerald; Eimhin Ryan, Conor Fogarty, Tudor Meracre

SUBS: Aaron Toomey (26 minutes), James Finn for Charlie Hall (41 minutes), Charlie Hall for Eimhin Ryan (46 minutes), Harry Fogarty for Senan Mackey (55 minutes), Evan Burke for Charlie Walsh (60+1 minute).

REFEREE: Tom McGlinchey (Newport)