Munster Colleges Draw
By Noel Dundon Tipperary Media
It normally happens pretty quickly and when it does, you suddenly realise that the year is moving on.
The evenings shorten considerably and the chill begins to invade the concluding stages of the games which are now beginning at 6:30pm and maybe even 6:00pm, thereby making it more and more difficult for patrons to get to them.
Then, the Harty Cup draws are announced and suddenly you realise that the secondary school competitions across both codes will begin very soon – preparations are already underway and the push and pull of players between school and club takes centre stage. This is the time when management teams need to knock their heads together and manage the workload of the individual player. Consideration needs to be taken of all the demands on the player and a realistic schedule drawn up which ensures that no player is overloaded – makes sense yes? Of course it does, because it ensures that everybody gets the best of the player and the best out of the player.
To the Harty Cup draws then.
The famous Munster colleges U19 hurling competition sees defending champions Nenagh CBS in Group 4 with Midleton CBS, and St. Francis College Rochestown.
Group 2 sees Tipperary interest with Our Lady’s Templemore up against Ard Scoil Ris, Castletroy College, and Colaiste Choilm.
In Group 3 meanwhile Cashel Community College features alongside Charleville CBS, Blackwater Community School and St. Josephs Tulla .
Finally in Group 6 – Thurles CBS have St. Flannans College and Tralee CBS to contend with.
In the Corn Ui Mhuiri (Munster Colleges U19 football championship) Abbey CBS is Tipperary’s sole contender and they feature in a group with Mercy Mounthawk, Skibbereen CC and St. Patricks Castleisland.
There’s big interest in the Corn Thomáis Mhic Cholaim – U19 B Hurling competition where thirteen schools will compete for the silverware commemorating the JK Brackens stalwart. Blackwater Community School Lismore are the defending champions but they will have stiff opposition from the five Tipperary schools involved.
In Group 1, Coachford College, High School CBS Clonmel, Kinsale Community College and Colaiste an Spioraid Naomh will battle it out.
Group 2 sees Abbey CBS, CBS Secondary School, Carrick on Suir and Hamilton High School in action.
Group 3 sees Mitchelstown CBS, Scoil Pol, Kilfinane and newcomers Colaiste Mhuire, Thurles competing – Tipp minor hurling captain Cathal O’Reilly will backbone Thurles.
Meanwhile, Group 4 featuring Scariff Community College, Pobailscoil Na Trionide, Eochaill and St. Josephs College, Borrisoleigh could well be the group to see the winners emerge, but time will tell.
A total of 20 schools will take part in the Corn Risteard Uí Mhathúna – Under 19 C Hurling competition. Scoil Pól Kilfinane are the defending champions but they too will have to contend with four Tipperary schools with the draws throwing up the following combinations.
Group 1 – St. Caimins Community School, Borrisokane CC, PBC, Patrician Academy Mallow.
Group 2 – Presentation, Ballingarry, Ennistymon CS, Causeway Comprehensive School, Clonakilty CC.
Group 3 – St. Marys Newport, Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore, Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk, Hazlewood College.
Group 4 – St. Augustines College, Salesian College, Pallaskenry, Dungarvan CBS, Colaiste an Phiarsaigh.
Group 5 – Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock, Scoil Mhuire agus Ide, Newcastlewest, Glanmire Community College, Scoil Ruain, Killenaule.
It can be hard to get to these games, especially in the early stages as they are mostly played during school times, mid week. But, the advent of streaming has helped considerably so keep an eye out for the fixtures in the weeks to come.
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