Ep. 177 – Harty Cup Rd.1 Review

Episode 177
Five Tipperary Schools Flying the Flag in the 2025/26 Dr Harty Cup

Summary:
The Harty Cup is back, and so too is Tipperary’s presence at the very top of Munster colleges hurling. This week, Padraigh and Noel take stock of the opening round, where five Tipp schools lined out — and four of them came away with something to show for it.

Thurles CBS got their title defence off to a strong, if unspectacular, start with a 0-24 to 0-15 win over John the Baptist CS. Killian Minogue hit ten points, four from play, while Tiernan Ryan, James Butler and Ewan Murray all impressed. Thurles have a deep squad once again, and as Noel notes, they tend to build momentum quietly. Last year’s campaign began the same way — before they powered through to win both the Harty and the Croke Cup.

Nenagh CBS will feel like they let one slip. They drew 2-18 to 1-21 with St Flannan’s, but had led by ten points at half-time. It’s a result that will sting, particularly in a tough group that also includes Árdscoil Rís. Losing star forward Eoghan Dughgan to injury didn’t help either, and he’ll be a big miss if ruled out beyond midterm.

Our Lady’s Templemore recorded a superb 2-19 to 0-20 victory over CBC Cork, showing real depth and balance. Templemore’s mix of physicality and accuracy could make them dangerous later in the campaign.

Cashel CS found life tough in Cappamore, losing 2-23 to 2-15 to Árdscoil Rís, but they’ll have learned plenty against one of the most stacked Limerick outfits in recent memory.

Meanwhile, Clonmel High School’s first-ever outing in the Harty Cup brought a strong showing against De La Salle Waterford. Despite losing narrowly, they can take real encouragement. De La Salle’s side was packed with recent Waterford minor All-Ireland winners, yet Clonmel matched them for long spells. Players like Aaron Cagney and Conal Morrison stood out — proof that hurling in the South is firmly on the rise.

Across the board, it’s another strong statement for Tipperary schools. With five representatives — covering every division of the county — the future pipeline looks bright. As Noel put it, the Harty Cup players of today are the county U20s of tomorrow, and the seniors of the year after that.

Tipperary have won the last three Harty Cups, and between Thurles and Nenagh, they have two of this year’s favourites again. The tradition continues, the bar remains high, and once more, Tipperary schools are setting the standard in Munster hurling