Forde's penalty proves decisive

Nenagh CBS 1-7 Thurles CBS 0-8: A JASON Forde penalty goal seven minutes from time proved to be the decisive score as Nenagh…

Nenagh CBS 1-7 Thurles CBS 0-8:A JASON Forde penalty goal seven minutes from time proved to be the decisive score as Nenagh CBS edged this Harty Cup quarter-final replay at The Ragg yesterday.

The goal edged Nenagh in front but with Thurles levelling shortly afterwards from a Conor Lanigan free, extra-time looked to be on the cards before Forde and Shanahan grabbed the decisive points in the dying minutes.

The miserable conditions rendered quality hurling almost impossible, with the sides tied at two points apiece at half-time, with Forde scoring the only point from play from either side in the half.

Thurles made the brighter start to the second half, with Conor Lanigan pointing twice. Nenagh hit back with three unanswered points to edge back in front but three points in a four-minute spell around the three quarter mark put 2009 champions Thurles back in control.

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The introduction of Seán Geaney at midfield with 10 minutes left turned the game in Nenagh’s favour and secured a semi-final date with Harty Cup holders Ardscoil Rís from Limerick next month.

NENAGH CBS: W Power; D Quinn, J Flaherty, S Cleary; E Hynes, J Peters, K Gleeson; J Loughnane, T Gallagher; S O’Brien, J Forde (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees), P Shanahan (0-1); P Fogarty, C Delaney, J Mackey (0-1). Subs: S Geaney for Delaney (50); C Leo for Cleary (58 inj).

THURLES CBS: J Maher; J Bourke, J Ryan, B Troy; R Maher, S Kennedy (0-1, free), C Quirke; P Ralph (0-1), S Cahill; S Maher (S), P Hayes, S Maher (0-1); C Hammersley, K Slattery, C Lanigan (0-5, four frees). Subs: J Meagher for Slattery (h-t); E Moriarty for Hayes (57); D Burke for Ralph (60+1 inj).

Referee: P Russell (Tipperary).