Second half surge sees Árdscoil Rís advance to Dr Harty Cup knock-out stages with perfect record

ÁRDSCOIL Rís powered their way into the knock-out stages of the Dr Harty Cup Munster post-primary schools senior 'A' hurling competition with a perfect record after securing a comprehensive 0-24 to 2-9 victory over De La Salle College of Waterford in their Round 3 fixture at Bansha, Co Tipperary on Wednesday afternoon.

A powerful second half display for Árdscoil in which the North Circular Road school out-scored their opponents by 10 points, 0-14 to 1-1, proved crucial in their three group win of the campaign.

A tight contest looked very much on the cards for the opening 40 minutes of this entertaining game played in favourable conditions.

An 11th minute goal from Shane Power, following a powerful surge upfield from Ballygunner's Aaron O'Neill had helped De La Salle into a one point, 1-8 to 0-10, half-time lead. 

The hugely influential Michael Collins and centre half back Jamie Moylan struck the pick of Ardscoil's points during that opening half, while Marc O'Brien also landed a brace and Danny Chaplin converted two frees.

Five-time Dr Harty Cup winners Ardscoil Ris will have been frustrated by elements of their first half showing, especially their wayward shooting as the Limerick side racked up nine first half wides, several of which were struck from favourable positions.

However, the winners emerged a different side after the restart. There was much to admire about that showing in the closing 30 minutes. 

Ardscoil's workrate cranked up several notches, their touch on the ball was sharp and their ball-striking crisp and assured.

Crucially, the winners' use of the ball and composure while in possession also improved. And as a result of improved accuracy, the scores started to flow with greater regularity. 

The impressive Collins was a constant threat in possession, with the Clonlara teenager helping himself to seven points from play.

The contest was level seven minutes into the second half, 0-12 to 1-9. However, from here to full-time Ardscoil assumed control against a side which had recorded a draw and a defeat in their two previous group games.

A run of 10 unanswered points between the 37th and 37th minutes turned the game completely in the winners' favour. 

Mungret-St Paul's Fintan Fitzgerald, Clonlara's Eoin Begley and substitute Patrick Kearney, from Adare, contributed a brace of second half points each.

At the other end of the pitch, Ardscoil Ris' defending was tenacious as their impressive backline greatly limited their opponents' scoring opportunities.

While their defence held the upperhand, last year's Harty Cup semi-finalists also gained an edge at midfield in the second period.

De La Salle did gain a consolation goal late on as topscorer Thomas Carey blasted the ball to the net in the 58th minute.

However, by then Ardscoil Ris had done more than enough to make it three wins from three in Group C having already secured their place in the knock-out stages of the competition.

Ardscoil Ris had earlier defeated St Flannan's College and Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig in the group stages.

SCORERS: Árdscoil Rís: Michael Collins 0-7, Danny Chaplin 0-4 (0-3 frees), Eoin Begley 0-3, Fintan Fitzgerald 0-3 (0-1 free), Marc O'Brien, Patrick Kearney 0-2 each, Jamie Moylan, Daire Neville, Sean Duff 0-1 each. De La Salle College, Waterford: Thomas Carey 1-7 (all frees), Shane Power 1-1, Conor Tobin 0-1.

ARDSCOIL RIS: Fionn O'Brien (Bruree), John O'Keeffe (Na Piarsaigh), Riain McNamara (Cratloe), Eoin Carey (Cratloe), James Coughlan (Ballybrown), Jamie Moylan (Cratloe), Darragh Gleeson (Adare), Sean Arthur (Newmarket-on-Fergus), Matthew O'Halloran (Sixmilebridge), Marc O'Brien (Cratloe), Fintan Fitzgerald (Capt) (Mungret-St Paul's), Michael Collins (Clonlara), Danny Chaplin (Sixmilebridge), Daire Neville (Cratloe), Eoin Begley (Clonlara). SUBS: Patrick Kearney (Adare) for Chaplin (39 mins), Sean Duff (Mungret-St Paul's) for Neville (51 mins), Cathal Lohan (Cratloe) for McNamara (52 mins), Niall Liddane (Sixmilebridge) for Arthur (58 mins).