Sport

Fitzgibbon keeps Ardscoil alive

HARTY CUP FINAL: Thurles CBS 1-12 Ardscoil Rís 1-12: A LAST-GASP injury-time free from John Fitzgibbon ensured Ardscoil Rís …

Mon Mar 01 2010 - 00:00

HARTY CUP FINAL: Thurles CBS 1-12 Ardscoil Rís 1-12:A LAST-GASP injury-time free from John Fitzgibbon ensured Ardscoil Rís lived to fight another day following a pulsating Harty Cup final in Nenagh yesterday.

The son of former Limerick intercounty star Shane Fitzgibbon converted a close-range angled free.

Ardscoil led by 1-4 to 0-1 after just seven minutes thanks to three Declan Hannon points, one from Niall Kennedy and a Kevin Downes goal but were pegged back by a gutsy Thurles side spearheaded by dangerous corner-forward Michael O’Brien, who fired over all but one of his side’s first-half seven points, all from placed balls. Pat Ralph was forced to deputise temporarily after O’Brien had shifted a heavy challenge in the 19th minute.

Ardscoil led 1-6 to 0-7 at the break but faced into a stiff breeze for the second half. With just 26 seconds elapsed Michael O’Brien shot Thurles’ first point from play before two Hannon frees edged Ardscoil three clear.

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Thurles responded in style, with Denis Maher pulling first time on Aidan Stakelum’s booming free out of defence to rattle the Ardscoil net in the 41st minute, seconds after the big Thurles Sarsfields man had switched to attack from centre back.

Two Hannon frees restored Ardscoil’s advantage but a 48th-minute Michael O’Brien free and a 49th-minute Ralph effort restored parity.

Thurles hit the front for the first time thanks to a disputed Denis Maher point in the 51st minute. Full-forward Kevin Downes responded for Ardscoil until Michael O’Brien stepped up to fire Thurles clear once more.

When referee Seán Casey adjudged Cathal Barrett had fouled Seán O’Brien in the third minute of injury time up stepped ice-cool Fitzgibbon to secure a deserved replay next Saturday at the same venue (throw-in 3pm).

THURLES CBS:A Stakelum; S Maher, C Carroll, J Bourke; C Barrett, D Maher (1-1), J Meagher; P Dunne, P Ralph (0-2, frees); N O'Brien, P Looby, J Bergin; C Treacy, D Devane, M O'Brien (0-9, eight frees). Subs: B Campion for Treacy (half-time); T Doyle for Devane (49 mins).

ARDSCOIL RÍS:PJ Hall; M Carmody, E McCarthy, A Dempsey; C McInerney, S Dowling, M Moroney; S O'Brien, N Kennedy (0-1); M Ryan, D Hannon (0-7, five frees, 65), B O'Connor; J Fitzgibbon (0-3, frees), K Downes (1-1), A Breen. Subs: J Shanahan for Fitzgibbon (27 mins); J Fitzgibbon for Ryan (43 mins).

Referee: S Casey (Waterford).