Hail and ‘Harty’ – schools hurling in Tipp in rude health; Leagues welcome return; gunning for the Gunners.
Those lucky enough to witness it are still murmuring about it in reverent tones. The drama; the artistry; the scoring; the sheer defiance of the defending. It truly was a spectacle for the ages. And, when the final whistle eventually pierced the air – perhaps later than many anticipated – only the finest of margins separated the sides. Yet that slender gap has propelled Nenagh CBS into the final of the Dr Harty Cup, where they will cross swords with St Flannan’s of Ennis.
The local derby semi-final delivered everything it promised and more. A packed and pulsating Templederry provided the perfect stage for what was billed as the clash of the Tipperary titans. And so it unfolded. They tore into one another with savage intent, asking no favours and offering none. They toyed and tormented; momentum swung wildly from side to side; and when the dust finally settled, the reigning champions Thurles CBS had fallen gallantly. They bowed out like true champions, with the final puck from dead-ball expert Eoghan Doughan sealing a victory that will echo in conversations for years to come.
Expectation had been simmering all week and there was a crackle of electricity long before throw-in as supporters streamed into the venue well ahead of time. The wait was richly rewarded as this Tipp schools showdown assumed almost mythical status.
It was a feast for the senses and while Thurles CBS will rue turnovers, squandered chances and costly slips, Nenagh CBS know they survived a ferocious examination. Indeed, this was the type of battle that could significantly sharpen the North Tipp outfit’s quest for a second Harty Cup in three seasons. Figures such as Patrick Hackett, Eoghan Doughan, Austin Duff, Shane Cleary, Billy O’Brien, Darragh O’Dwyer and custodian Paddy McCormack loomed large. The marquee names delivered, and the Nenagh bench arguably tipped the scales – a decisive edge on a titanic afternoon.
Scores deserted Thurles when they craved them most – they rarely threatened a goal – and the lone green flag of the contest proved decisive, Nenagh striking in the first half. Thurles actually shaded the tally by 20 scores to 19, yet that single goal underlined the timeless truth that goals win games.
Above all else, this epic encounter underlined the vibrant health of underage hurling in the Premier County. It was a humdinger that could easily have swung either way, and one senses it would not have taken much for Our Lady’s Templemore to be contesting the other semi-final, having edged so narrowly close to St Flannan’s.
Now, the Ennis men must attempt to halt a Tipperary school claiming a fourth Harty Cup in succession. Such a feat would be some boast, and it sits well within the grasp of this outstanding Nenagh CBS panel. Should they lift the trophy, they may well look back and thank Thurles for forcing them to reach the semi-final tempo and heights which they will require again in the final. Best of luck to them.
Leagues beings with Tribesmen visit.
The senior hurlers were on another one of their day-long training tortures at the weekend as they ready themselves for the start of the league next Saturday evening in FBD Semple Stadium against Galway – the reverse fixture of last year’s league opener in Salthill. The shadow boxing is over now and the real hurling begins. The league was an important competition for Tipperary last year and getting to the league final was a major shot in the arm to Liam Cahill’s men.
Granted the way that final panned out in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh was not ideal but it is fair to say that the league served Tipperary very well nonetheless. And so, they will go at it hard again for this year’s campaign perhaps even with the notion of winning the competition and adding to the silverware in the trophy cabinet – it didn’t do the County Board coffers any harm either as illustrated in the end of year accounts.
Winning or losing the league will not make or break the season, but getting into a winning habit is certainly desirable. Tipperary has been in that habit in recent times in competitive games and the management will be anxious for that to continue. Of course the league is also a balancing act between getting a decent body of work into the system ahead of the championship, and also ensuring that the teams sent out to bat for the blue and gold jersey are competitive.
Throw into the mix the fact that third level colleges hurling and football comes right in the middle of the campaign and it is easy to understand how the spreadsheets are necessary to plot and plan the assault on the league – Alan Tynan’s broken collarbone also adds to the absentee list while captain Ronan Maher continues his recovery after post All-Ireland surgery. Other players will be marked absent too while some of those on the resting list will also begin to make an appearance as the spring draws closer.
Next Saturday evening will be the first opportunity to see Tipperary in action in a competitive fixture since the All-Ireland Final – that’s a long time in the waiting, so it is expected that there will be a big home crowd on the night. Make sure to get along and cheer on the side.
Don’t blame the Gunners.
So, Ballygunner are the All-Ireland club senior hurling champions again this year – congratulations to them on a richly deserved victory. It seems strange that there has been criticism of their campaign in certain quarters simply because they waltz through the Waterford championship with ease. Is it Ballygunner’s fault that the opposition in Deise land has been so poor?
The answer is no and it behoves each club in Waterford to up their game and try to ensure that Ballygunner are given a run for their money. To be fair to the champions, they can only beat what is put in front of them, and they have done that all season long. And to be honest about it, most county championship winning sides in Munster want to get the Gunners in the first round of the provincial campaign in the hope of catching them cold, rather than allowing them the chance to warm up again after their post Deise final. Winning any All-Ireland is an incredible feat – the Ballygunner club deserves our congratulations without any asterisk attached.