Harty Cup heartbreak for Hospital as Blackwater defeat ends campaign for Limerick school

IT WAS Harty Cup heartbreak for John The Baptist Community School, Hospital as the Limerick side fell short after a clinical second half display from Blackwater Community School, Lismore.

In Castlelyons, it finished 2-19 to 0-12 – a result that sees Hospital’s Harty Cup involvement end for this season.

Blackwater, on the other hand, progress to the quarter-finals - which will be played in the new year.

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Playing with the aid of the elements in the first half of this winner-take-all clash, Hospital conceded two goals – ensuring the south Limerick school faced an uphill battle in the second period.

With talisman Diarmuid Hurley not fit enough to start, it was always going to be a difficult ask. Blackwater’s key players Ben Cummins and Hugo Quann, who won an All-Ireland MHC title with Waterford earlier this year, controlled the game.

A super score from Michael Hanly and the accuracy of Tiernan Ryan, kept the Limerick side in touch despite being second best in the opening exchanges.

When Cummins got the game’s opening goal midway through the first half, the Lismore school had a 1-7 to 0-4 lead. 

The goal spurred Hospital to life and their performance improved. However, as the interval approached Leo Mulhall – a late addition to the Blackwater team – scored his side’s second goal to ensure a four-point lead at the change of ends.

After the break however, Hospital only added two points to their tally – both courtesy of Tiernan Ryan.

For Blackwater, Cummins, Quann, and Sean Og Costin kept the scoreboard ticking consistently on their end as they ran out comfortable winners with 13 points to spare. A final score which reads harsh on a JTB side who fought gallantly throughout.

SCORERS: Blackwater Community School, Lismore: Ben Cummins 1-14 (10f, 2 ’65); Leo Mulhall 1-1; Sean Og Costin 0-3; Hugo Quann 0-1.

John The Baptist Community School, Hospital: Tiernan Ryan 0-9 (5f, 1 sideline, 1 ’65); William Ryan, Shane O’Dea, and Michael Hanly 0-1 each.

BLACKWATER CS LISMORE: Billy Murphy (Tallow); Leigh Dunford (Modeligo), Josh Kiely (Lismore), Keelan Dunne (Lismore); George Morrison,  Hugo Quann (Lismore), Jack Henley (Tallow); Brian Burke (Ballyduff Upper), Leo Mulhall (St Oliver’s); Darra O’Brien (Ballysaggart), Joseph McDonnell (Tallow), Adam Cummins (Lismore); Charlie Nicholson (Cappoquin), Ben Cummins (Lismore), Sean Óg Costin (St Oliver's). Sub: Shay Hurley (St Oliver’s) for Charlie Nicholson (38 mins).

JOHN THE BAPTIST COMMUNITY SCHOOL, HOSPITAL: Ciarán Hyland (Garryspillane); Eoin Clifford (Ballybricken-Bohermore), Adam Gleeson (Hospital-Herbertstown), Seán Tiernan (Caherline); Kevin Hennessy (Hospital-Herbertstown), Michael Hanly (Ballybricken-Bohermore), John O'Riordan (Bruff); Sean O'Dwyer (Caherline), Rory Hanly (Ballybricken-Bohermore);  Conor Shanahan (Bruff), Shane O'Dea (Hospital-Herbertstown), Sam Mitchell (Knockainey); William Ryan (Hospital-Herbertstown), Conor O'Dwyer (Pallasgreen), Tiernan Ryan (Garryspillane). Subs: Diarmuid Hurley (Hospital-Herbertstown) for Sean Tiernan (ht); Evan Martin (Caherline) for Conor O’Dwyer (38 mins).

REFEREE: Simon Stokes (Cork).