DR HARTY CUP FINAL/Coláiste na nDéise 2-14 Nenagh CBS 1-10:COLÁISTE NA nDÉISE captured the coveted Dr Harty Cup for the first time with a comprehensive seven-point victory against Tipperary's Nenagh CBS in yesterday's final at Leahy Park, Cashel.
Cathal Curran, one of 11 players who suffered defeat with the Dungarvan CBS team in the B Corn Phádraig decider eight days before, hit 1-9 and brother Patrick added 1-2 at corner forward.
Nenagh CBS, appearing in the showpiece decider for the first time since 1997, suffered a fourth final defeat and were reduced to 14 players with six minutes remaining when Podge Shanahan was sent off for a second bookable offence. Coláiste na nDéise, runners-up in 2004, also finished the game a player down when wing back Evan Collins was dismissed in the 58th minute.
Jason Forde, subdued on the day but Nenagh’s top scorer en route to the final, drilled home a consolation goal in the final minute but Coláiste na nDéise had their homework done and ensured the former Tipperary minor captain was well shackled throughout.
At the other end, Coláiste na nDéise scored freely and in front of a bumper crowd in Cashel, they were effectively out of sight with just 16 minutes on the watch.
Kieran Power, Micheál Harney and Cormac Curran combined to release Patrick Curran in the ninth minute and his finish was emphatic for the opening goal.
Just three minutes later, Cathal Curran went for the jugular from a 20m free and hit the jackpot.
At half-time, the winners were 2-10 to 0-5 clear and cruising.
Coláiste na nDéise, who led by 13 points at one stage in the second half, will play the Leinster runners-up in the All-Ireland quarter-finals, with Nenagh picking themselves up for a joust with the Ulster champions at the same stage.
Coláiste na nDéise coach Darragh Duggan said: “Kerry colleges beat us two years ago and we were at the lowest ebb we could be. The boys have come back and you saw today how much they wanted it.”
COLÁISTE NA nDÉISE: E Kearns; K Looby, T Tobin, S O’Donovan; E Collins, T Devine, T Burke; C Dunford (0-1), Cormac Curran (0-2, 0-1 free); R Donnelly, M Harney, K Power; M Kiely, Cathal Curran (1-9, 1-6 frees), P Curran (1-2). Subs: E Crotty for Donnelly (60 mins), K Sheehan for Power (60 mins).
NENAGH CBS: W Power; D Quinn, K Gubbins, S Cleary; J Flaherty, J Peters, E Hynes; J Loughnane (0-2, 0-1 65), T Gallagher (0-3); C Delaney, J Forde (1-4, 0-4 frees), S O’Brien; P Fogarty, P Shanahan (0-1), J Mackey. Subs: S Geaney for Mackey (22 mins), K Gleeson for Delaney (43 mins).
Referee: S Hourigan (Limerick).
