🏆 2025/26 TUS Dr Harty Cup Power Rankings
Ranking all sixteen contenders from 16 to 1
The road to Harty glory begins today, Wednesday, October 15th, with all Round 1 games throwing in at 1:30pm. The TUS Dr Harty Cup is once again the proving ground for Munster’s brightest teenage hurlers, a competition that tests not just skill, but nerve, depth and winter grit.
Defending champions Thurles CBS lead the 2025/26 field, with Nenagh CBS, St Flannan’s, Árdscoil Rís, and De La Salle all loading up for another run at glory. There are new faces, proud revivals, and plenty of early intrigue.
🗓️ Round 1 Fixtures Today, October 15th (1:30pm throw-in)
Group 1
📍 Árdscoil Rís (Limerick) 🆚 Cashel C.S. – Cappamore
📍 St Flannan’s (Ennis) 🆚 Nenagh C.B.S. – TUS Moylish Campus
Group 2
📍 C.B.S. Midleton 🆚 Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy – Lisgoold
📍 De La Salle (Waterford) 🆚 Clonmel High School – Fraher Field, Dungarvan
Group 3
📍 Scoil na Tríonóide Naofa (Doon) 🆚 Blackwater C.S. (Lismore) – Goatenbridge
📍 Thurles C.B.S. 🆚 John the Baptist C.S. (Hospital) – Dundrum
Group 4
📍 Our Lady’s Templemore 🆚 C.B.C. (Cork) – Knocklong
📍 Gaelcholáiste Mhuire an Mhainistir Thuaigh 🆚 St Joseph’s (Tulla) – Kilmallock
The journey starts here — eight venues, one throw-in time, and 16 schools chasing the dream.
🗂️ Group Draws
Group 1: St Flannan’s • Nenagh CBS • Árdscoil Rís • Cashel CS
Group 2: De La Salle • CBS HS Clonmel • Midleton CBS • St Colman’s Fermoy
Group 3: Thurles CBS • John the Baptist Hospital • Scoil na Tríonóide Naofa Doon • Blackwater CS Lismore
Group 4: Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G. • Our Lady’s Templemore • St Joseph’s Tulla • CBC Cork
🔢 The Rankings (16 → 1)
16. Scoil na Tríonóide Naofa (Doon)
A strong Doon core gives them identity and fight. Captain Darragh Coughlan and the Hanly’s all featured for Limerick minors,Six starters remain from last year and the side will be backboned by the Doon hurlers. Their Round 1 meeting with Blackwater in Goatenbridge is already shaping as a decider for their season.
Verdict: Compact, combative, but need an early win to stay alive.
15. St Joseph’s Tulla
Clare’s 2022 champions will travel to Kilmallock to meet Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G. in Round 1. Skipper Michael Vaughan leads a team full of heart if short on scoring power. Jerry O’Connor and Ryan Hayes bring work-rate, but this side will be relying on their structure and spirit to stay in the fight. 9 survivors from last year’s team.
Verdict: Honest and organised, can Aiden Harte repeat the Heroics of 2022?.
14. Cashel Community School
Drawn against Árdscoil Rís first up in Cappamore, Cashel face a stern test from the outset. Tipp minor duo Senan Mackey and Shane Cooney bolster a panel short on last year’s experience. Briain O’Donoghue’s accuracy from placed balls (1-17 in 2024) remains their greatest weapon.
Verdict: Dangerous from frees, but depth will decide their fate.
13. John the Baptist CS (Hospital)
Open against champions Thurles CBS in Dundrum — the toughest start imaginable. Diarmaid Hurley, joint-captain of Limerick’s 2024 minors, leads from midfield with Rory and Michael Hanly again central. Nine players who started last year’s preliminary quarter-final against Flannan’s are no longer part of the setup. The work-rate is there, but a tough draw makes survival tricky.
Verdict: Brave and disciplined; could make life difficult for Thurles early.
12. CBS High School Clonmel
Make their first A-grade appearance in Dungarvan against De La Salle. Captain Paddy Spelman’s composure at wing-back and Aaron Cagney’s scoring threat (a Tipp minor All-Ireland winner) give them confidence. Their ambition is to stay competitive and learn quickly.
Verdict: Ambitious and lively, capable of shocking an opponent or two.
11. Blackwater CS (Lismore)
Face Scoil na Tríonóide in Goatenbridge — a real 50-50 clash. Darragh O’Brien, Billy Murphy and Joe McDonnell lead a tight-knit Waterford group. Their 2024 heartbreak in extra time in the preliminary quarter final v the North Mon still burns, and they’ll want revenge.All Ireland winning Coach with Tipperary, Fintan O’Connor steers the ship.
Verdict: Physical, energetic, and primed to push for knockout progression.
10. St Colman’s College (Fermoy)
Nine-time winners begin against Midleton in Lisgoold, a classic Rebel derby. Denis Fitzgerald and Ruairc Donovan from Cork’s minors provide defensive steel, with Billy Ryan and Jack Counihan pushing forward.
Verdict: Improved and fitter, but need early points to build belief.
9. Our Lady’s Templemore
Face CBC Cork in Knocklong in their opener. Seán Walsh (JK Brackens) and Mark Conroy (Drom & Inch) headline a steady Tipp outfit with senior club experience. The hunger from back-to-back early exits is obvious.
Verdict: Well balanced and battle-hardened; a top-two group finish possible.
8. Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G. (Cork)
Open against St Joseph’s Tulla in Kilmallock. Craig O’Sullivan and Callum Coffey will be licking their lips at the prospect. Josh Brosnan marshals their defence superbly. The Mon will have energy levels as befits a Sean Og coached outfit. Current u19 Cork Schools Champions and Dean Ryan Finalists.
Verdict: A cohesive, confident Cork force ready for another semi-final run.
7. Midleton CBS
Start against near neighbours Colman’s in Lisgoold, a fixture that could light up the first round. Cormac Deane’s sharpshooting and Colm Garde’s engine are central to their hopes. Expect a strong tactical display from Brian O’Callaghan’s management.
Verdict: Consistent and clinical; the current Dean Ryan champions are a dark horse to win Group 2.
6. De La Salle College (Waterford)
Host Clonmel HS in Fraher Field to open their campaign. Jack and Shane Power headline a forward line that struck a combined 3-9 in last year’s knockouts. Jamie Shanahan adds guile and pace. Their form looks strong, and they’ll fancy topping Group 2.
Verdict: Balanced, experienced and capable of a long winter run.
5. Árdscoil Rís (Limerick)
Start against Cashel CS in Cappamore. The Limerick city powerhouse, five-time champions since 2010, are reloaded with Eoin Brosnan (Na Piarsaigh), Jack Cosgrove (Ahane) and Jack O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge) all capable of game-breaking quality. Thirteen from last year’s panel remain.
Verdict: Rejuvenated, physical, and likely to bounce back from 2024’s quarter final collapse v Thurles CBS.
4. Christian Brothers College (Cork)
Open to Templemore in Knocklong. Their spine — Brosnan, Hegarty, O’Shea — is full of Cork underage pedigree, while Cian Lawton and Michael Quill bring speed. CBC’s ball retention and structure will need to improve after their 2024 blow out first half v De La Salle in the Quarter Final.
Verdict: Athletic and composed, a major contender from Group 4.
3. St Flannan’s College (Ennis)
Kick off against Nenagh CBS at TUS Moylish, arguably the tie of Round 1. Harry Doherty, who hit 3-57 last season, leads the line again alongside Darragh Ball and James Cullinan. Seven of last year’s final team return.
Verdict: Loaded with experience and motivation to reach 23 Harty titles.
2. Nenagh CBS
Face Flannan’s in a mouth-watering Round 1 rematch of the 2023 Dean Ryan final which Nenagh won by a goal. Tipp stars Eoghan Doughan, Austin Duff and Dara O’Dwyer headline the side. Doughan’s scoring touch and Duff’s direct running remain key. A result here would set the tone for another deep run. Darragh McCarthy on his maiden voyage as a mentor also.
Verdict: Composed, classy and confident — genuine repeat contenders.
1. Thurles CBS
The All Ireland Champions open their title defence against John the Baptist CS in Dundrum. Euan Murray, Ryan Bargary, Jack Cahill, Tiernán Ryan and Cillian Minogue give them balance across every line. The reigning Munster champions are eyeing back-to-back Harty crowns for the first time since 1951, and keeping the trophy in Tipperary for the fourth straight season.
Verdict: Ruthless and balanced; still the gold standard of schools’ hurling.
🏅 Dr Harty Cup Roll of Honour (1918 – 2025)
| School | Titles | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| St Flannan’s College (Ennis) | 22 | 1944, 45, 46, 47, 52, 54, 57, 58, 76, 79, 82, 83, 87, 89, 90, 91, 98, 99, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2020 |
| North Monastery (Cork) | 20 | 1919, 28, 29, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 55, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81, 85, 86, 94 |
| Limerick CBS | 10 | 1920, 25, 26, 27, 32, 64, 65, 66, 67, 93 |
| St Colman’s College (Fermoy) | 9 | 1948, 49, 77, 92, 96, 97, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Thurles CBS | 9 | 1933, 38, 39, 50, 51, 56, 2009, 2015, 2025 |
| St Finbarr’s College (Cork) | 7 | 1963, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 84 |
| Rockwell College (Tipperary) | 5 | 1918, 23, 24, 30, 31 |
| Árdscoil Rís (Limerick) | 5 | 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018 |
| Midleton CBS | 4 | 1988, 1995, 2006, 2019 |
| De La Salle College (Waterford) | 2 | 2007, 2008 |
| Coláiste na nDéise / Dungarvan Colleges | 2 | 2012, 2013 |
| Our Lady’s Templemore / Templemore CBS | 2 | 1978, 2017 |
| St Munchin’s (Limerick) | 1 | 1922 |
| Mount Sion (Waterford) | 1 | 1953 |
| Abbey CBS (Tipperary Town) | 1 | 1959 |
| Rice College (Ennis) | 1 | 1962 |
| Coláiste Chríost Rí (Cork) | 1 | 1968 |
| Coláiste Iognáid Rís (Cork) | 1 | 1975 |
| St Joseph’s Tulla (Clare) | 1 | 2022 |
| Cashel Community School (Tipperary) | 1 | 2023 |
| Nenagh CBS (Tipperary) | 1 | 2024 |
Final Thoughts
The 2025/26 Harty Cup promises everything that defines Munster hurling — rivalry, pride, and the emergence of new stars. Eight opening-round ties across six counties mark the start of a long journey, with one name to be etched beside the giants of the Roll of Honour above.
Tipperary holds the crown for now, but Cork’s depth, Limerick’s hunger, and Clare’s revival mean no one can coast. The chase is on.
Lock-More tighten grip on Dan Breen, Read Noel Dundon’s latest column, Click HERE