Harty Cup: team-by-team guide, including the ones to watch, for Munster schools SHC
Everything you need to know before the famous competition throws in on Wednesday afternoon.
PRIZED POSSESSION: The TUS Dr Harty Cup before the final between Nenagh CBS and Ardscoil Ris, of Limerick at Cusack Park in Ennis last February. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile
Tue, 15 Oct, 2024 - 13:00
Examiner Sport
GROUP 1
Rice College
Management: Conor Cleary (manager), Brian Foudy, Eamonn Clohessy, Stephen Malone.
Captain: Padraic O’Donovan (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield).
Last year: Desperately unlucky not to reach the knockout stages. Drew with Doon in Round 2 and then drew with Christians in Round 3. In the latter, they were caught by an equalising goal four minutes into injury-time. Had they held on for victory, they would have moved on in the competition. Instead, the draw took Christians through ahead of them.
Three key players: Liam Clune (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), Darren Moroney (Éire Óg), Niall Doyle (Éire Óg). Moroney was corner-back on the Clare minor team that fell to Kilkenny, after extra-time, in this year’s All-Ireland semi-final. Expect him to be tasked each Wednesday with picking up the opposition’s outstanding forward threat. Clune and Doyle were members of this year’s Clare minor football panel.
Prospects: Have eight survivors from last year’s team, which is a healthy carryover. Given how they matched Doon and Christians 12 months ago, they won’t have any fear in coming up against them again. Rice College will lean heavily on their 2022 and '23 Dean Ryan Cup sides that both reached quarter-finals. All told, this is a wide-open group.
John The Baptist CS, Hospital
Management: Paul Browne, Ger Downes, Darragh Droog, Noel Frawley, Michael Martin, Joe O’Connor.
Captain: Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane).
Last year: Topped their group, toppled Templemore in the preliminary quarter-final, and then pushed Ardscoil Rís the distance in what was supposed to be a one-sided quarter-final. That last-eight clash finished 0-17 to 0-13 in favour of the Limerick city students.
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Three key players: Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane) was a staple half-forward for the Limerick U20s this year. And it’s in that same half-forward line where he was so integral to the school last winter. Diarmaid Hurley (Hospital Herbertstown) clipped 0-14 from play across their four outings in the 2023/24 campaign. Thereafter, the corner-forward went on to serve as joint-captain of the Limerick minors. Declan Heavey (Garryspillane) was a Limerick minor last year and will be a key cog in John the Baptist’s defensive machine in the weeks ahead.
Prospects: Last year was their first campaign back in the big time since 2019. And as outlined above, they more than justified that decision to regrade up. With eight survivors, including most of their main scoring contributors, they’ll be confident of once again securing group progression. Will be determined to prove that last season’s quarter-final appearance and ability to live with a Harty market leader was not a one-off. Want to become a consistently competitive Harty school.
Christian Brothers College, Cork
Management: Traolach Martin, Tony Wall, Ken O’Halloran.
Captain: Ben Mayer (Ballinora) and Jack Huggins (Sars).
Last year: Used around 49 lives to get as far as the last eight. Produced a come-from-behind win against Doon first day out and then rescued an unlikely draw in their final group outing against Rice College to take the second and final qualifying spot. Came from six down to beat Fermoy in the preliminary quarter-final. In the quarter-final, they were outclassed by eventual champions Nenagh.
Three key players: Half-back Rory Higgins (Sars) and inside forward Michael Brosnan (Glen Rovers) were on opposite sides in last week’s storming Cork minor hurling final. Cork minor Brosnan raised six white flags from play for the victorious Glen. Fellow Cork minor Jack Hegarty (Ballinora) was the first Christians sub introduced in most games last season. His role will be far more central this time around.
Prospects: We’re at risk of repeating ourselves but each of the four schools in this group will see progression as a most achievable feat. Doon and Rice College have scores to settle with the Sidney Hill students from 12 months ago. Huggins, Mayer, Brosnan, Andy Hourigan, Ross Buckley, and Conor McCarthy (St Finbarr’s) are the lads still around that would have started most games last winter.
Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa, Doon
Management: Diarmuid McCarthy, Jack Cummins.
Captain: Sean McDonnell (Doon).
Last year: Finished bottom of their group. That winless position, however, was totally unreflective of their performances. Led Christians by three as late as the 58th minute before letting a winning hand slip, drew with Rice College, and then fell by only the minimum to group winners Midleton.
Three key players: Corner-back last season, Tommy Costello (Cappawhite) will likely serve as their defensive lynchpin. Micheal Ryan (Doon) will look to make an impression as a first-team regular having been used mostly off the bench last October and November. Eamon Richardson (Doon), meanwhile, saw game-time for the Limerick minors this year.
Prospects: Same as last year, Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa will find it difficult to keep themselves in the Harty conversation beyond the group stages. With so many Doon youngsters in the panel, the school will hope for a bounce from the club’s senior team reaching the Limerick decider.
Analysis: Eoghan Cormican
GROUP 2
Ardscoil Rís
Management: Niall Crowe, Fergal Lyons, Cian O’Brien, Alan Neville, David Foley.
Joint-captains: Sean Morrissey (Dromin-Athlacca), Mark O’Brien (Cratloe).
Last year: Last year’s beaten finalists lost to Nenagh CBS with a last minute goal. Another impressive campaign overall but the five-time Harty champions lost a second final in three seasons. Ardscoil are retaining around five or six from last year’s team, which saw them top their group with three convincing wins. Overcame John the Baptist CS Hospital in the quarter-final and Thurles CBS in the semi before falling short in the decider.
Three key players: Darragh Gleeson (Adare), Sean Arthur (Newmarket-on-Fergus), Michael Collins (Clonlara). Gleeson started centre and wing-back for Adare during their Limerick SHC campaign and proved to be a key player, while Sean Arthur is another forward returning after last season and will be one to watch. Clonlara’s Michael Collins impressed for the Clare U20’s this year with the forward scoring 3-2 in their Munster round robin phase. A serious goal threat and will be crucial to Ardscoil this year.
Prospects: The aim for Ardscoil Rís is always the same, win the Dr Harty Cup. They’re in the shake up most years, but have been dealt a couple of crucial injuries this year – losing Mark O’Brien and James Coughlan long-term. They might have them back before the end of the year, and won the Dean Ryan with this group two years ago. Will be favourites to top the group. Last time they won the competition was in 2018.
Castletroy College
Management: Muiris Gilbourne, Liam Reale, Tom Nolan, Sean Herbert.
Captain: Cian Scully (Monaleen).
Last year: Got out of the group stage last season, their first year back in the competition after a lengthy hiatus but were well beaten by St Flannan’s College in the preliminary quarter-final. A positive year nonetheless. Have six returning players from last year; Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Robert O’Ferrell (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Marcus Southern (Monaleen), Denis Blackwell (Ahane), James Rennison (Ahane), Eoin Murrihy (Ahane).
Three key players: Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Cian Scully (Monaleen). Limerick U20 hurlers Fitzgerald and O’Farrell impressed in the SHC this year, with Fitzgerald scoring 3-32 (0-25 frees) across six games for Monaleen while O’Farrell notched 1-9 (0-1 free) in five for Kildimo Pallaskenry. The pair played at wing-forward for their clubs. Castletroy captain Cian Scully impressed with the Limerick minors in 2023 at half-back.
Prospects: Primary objective for the year is to be as competitive as possible in all games and give themselves a fighting chance to come out of the group. Anything after that would be a huge bonus for Castletroy, who place huge value in the fact they are a community school with essentially two main feeder clubs. Being able to play in a competition like the Dr Harty Cup and the stature associated with it is a great privilege for the school, who have some exciting prospects.
Our Ladys, Templemore
Management: Gavin Ryan, Tom O’Donoghue, Peter O’Rourke.
Captain: Cormac Cahill (Drom & Inch).
Last year: First co-ed school to win the Harty Cup in 2016/17, and have qualified from the group every year since. Eliminated at the preliminary-quarter final stage last year at the hands of John the Baptist CS Hospital, their earliest elimination since before winning the title (barring the COVID knockout season in 2021/22). Made it out of the group stage on scoring difference in 2023/24.
Three key players: Eoin Boyle (Borris-Ileigh), Cormac Cahill (Drom & Inch), Joey Quinn (Loughmore-Castleiney). Three club senior panellists this year – Eoin Boyle is wing or corner forward for Borris Ileigh, Cahill is a utility player that can feature anywhere in the half-back line or midfield. He came off the bench against Toomevara and started at midfield against Borris-Iliegh, scoring a point. Joey Quinn is an agile inside forward, and will be key this year.
Prospects: Aim for Templemore is to be competitive once again, ideally making it out of the group. Have a number of players with profile throughout the county, including Philip O’Dwyer (Upperchurch-Drombane) who was on the 2024 Tipperary minor panel, along with Celtic Challenge hurlers Sean Walsh (JK Brackens) and Shay Gleeson (Moneygall). Hope to be stronger this year, but have lost key players Jamie Ormond and Ciaran O’Shea.
Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig
Management: David Bowen, John Ryan.
Joint-captains: Eoin Dwyer (Ballincollig), Niall Buckley (Inniscarra).
Last year: Eliminated at the group stages and finished bottom, with just one point – a draw with De La Salle Waterford. Suffered a 12-point defeat to Ardscoil Rís last year (who join them in the group once more) and were hammered by St Flannan’s College in the final group game. A tough introduction to Harty Cup hurling.
DIFFERENT CLASS: Fintan Fitzgerald, Ardscoil Ris facing off against Coláiste Choilm at Banteer last term. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Three key players: Jack Murphy (Ballincollig), Cian Ahern (Ballincollig), Alan Heelan (Inniscarra). Murphy is a versatile defender coming off the back of an outstanding season with the Ballincollig minors, while Cian Ahern is a tenacious wing-back who is comfortable anywhere on the pitch – and is equally comfortable with the big ball. Inniscarra’s Alan Heelan is a modern defender well capable of getting up and down the pitch.
Prospects: Entering into this campaign with six players carrying over from last season’s debut campaign in the Harty Cup. Team have learned a lot from last season, but have been dealt a tough group. Finished winless last year so to pick up a win this year would be important for the team. Have some quality hurlers, but qualification will be hard earned in the next few weeks.
Analysis: Jack McKay.
GROUP 3
Charleville CBS
Manager: Kevin Butler.
Captain: Seán Bresnan (Charleville) Last year: In their first Harty Cup appearance since 2017, Charleville CBS came within minutes of making it to the final, only to be denied by a stoppage-time Nenagh CBS surge. They beat Hamilton HS to emerge from their group before knocking out holders Cashel CS and Midleton CBS en route to the final four. They have retained six of last year’s team.
Three key players: Chris Dunne (Dromina) was Charleville’s free-taker and chief scorer last year, racking up 1-37 across the competition. Seán Bresnan (Charleville) will anchor the defence having formed part of a strong half-back line unit last year with some eye-catching displays. Ben Jordan-Reidy (Newtownshandrum) is a new addition in attack. The full-forward has impressed alongside Dunne as Shandrum were crowned Premier 2 minor champions.
Prospects: Having come so close last year, Charleville will hope to back up that showing by emerging from the group again. With the Shandrum minor hurlers going to a replay before winning the county title, they have yet to assemble a full complement for training so this week will offer a better barometer of the true strength of this group. Their break-out performance last year has drawn in a few additions from other schools such as Ben Jordan-Reidy, Ben Farrissey, and Ewan Keating from Dromcollogher.
Cashel CS
Manager: Anthony Roche.
Captain: Colin Bourke (Rosegreen).
Last year: First-time champions in 2023, Cashel CS lost their opener to Gaelcholáiste Mhuire but beat Our Lady’s, Templemore, in a six-goal thriller to top their group on score difference. Their title defence was ended in a one-point defeat to Charleville at the preliminary quarter-final stage. A half-dozen of last year’s crop remain.
Three key players: Colin Bourke (Rosegreen) had his participation last year disrupted by injury but the versatile hurler is back to captain the side. Colm Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs) featured at midfield in his club’s run to a county U19 semi-final. Noah O’Flynn (Fethard) is a man-marker across both codes, having lined out for the Tipperary minor footballers alongside his school and club teammate Charlie Walsh as they made the Munster semi-finals.
Prospects: Having put up a spirited title defence, Cashel turn towards rebuilding with the remainder of that breakthrough team moving on, including Tipperary U20 stars Oisín O’Donoghue and Adam Daly. Their success has been rewarded with a talented intake of hurlers who are not yet of the age for Harty hurling. The task for the coming weeks is to develop a new young team to compete at this level beginning with a tricky opener against Charleville.
Blackwater CS
Manager: Fintan O’Connor.
Joint-captains: Ben Cummins and Shane Barry (both Lismore).
Last year: In their second year in the second tier, Blackwater captured the Munster B title with a five-point victory over HS Clonmel in the final. Edged past Banagher College in the All-Ireland semi-final but were outgunned by a four-goal blast in the decider against St Killian’s of Antrim. Have retained more than half of that team for a first Harty campaign since 2021.
Three key players: Billy Murphy (Tallow) returns between the sticks and will be tough to beat after a year wearing the Waterford no.1 jersey. Joe McDonnell (Tallow) was centre-back on that Déise minor team, having lined out at midfield during Blackwater’s run to the All-Ireland final. Free-taker Ben Cummins (Lismore) was their top-scorer last year, with his 1-10 leading them to victory over Clonmel in the Munster final. More recently, racked up 0-15 in Lismore’s Division 2 county triumph.
Prospects: Blackwater experienced a string of defeats in their last Harty Cup stay but return buoyed by the winning streak that led them to an All-Ireland final. Their U17s also captured the Munster B title last year. Down the likes of Joe O’Keeffe and Ben O’Sullivan from last year’s senior squad for this massive step up in class, they will hope to be competitive in every game, starting with a tester against St Joseph’s, Tulla.
St Joseph’s, Tulla
Manager: Terence Fahy.
Captain: Fionn O’Gara (Clooney-Quin) Last year: They chalked off their first Harty win since their fairy-tale success in 2022. That five-point victory over Pobalscoil na Tríonóide put them in contention to progress from their group but they exited after losing to Thurles CBS and St Colman’s, the latter after a late fightback fell three points shy. Five survivors remain for this campaign.
Three key players: Matthew Corbett (Clooney-Quin) was St Joseph’s top scorer last year with 2-23 in three games and the midfielder’s aptitude for picking off long-range scores and free-taking reliability was in evidence for the Clare minors. Liam Murphy (O’Callaghan’s Mills) scored six goals in that Banner campaign, including an eye-catching hat-trick against Tipperary and 2-3 against Cork. Fionn O’Gara (Clooney-Quin) will captain the side and lead their defence, having lined out at senior level for his club this autumn.
Prospects: St Joseph’s fifth straight season in the Harty Cup features a young team aiming to build on the success of their feeder clubs. Clooney-Quin won the minor A county final at the weekend, while Broadford will contest the minor B decider, where Tulla made the semis. They were Dean Ryan (U17) quarter-finalists last year and their squad contains six Clare minors from their run to the All-Irelnd semi-finals. Have the firepower to target a return to knockout hurling.
Analysis: Stephen Barry.
GROUP 4
St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh
Manager: Donach O’Donnell.
Captain: Darragh Treacy (Silvermines).
Last year: Nenagh CBS were crowned Harty Cup winners for the first time when they defeated Ardscoil Rís in a thrilling final after a 63rd minute goal from defender Andy Hoolan proved to be decisive, 2-16 to 0-21. It was a memorable campaign for the Tipperary school with late drama in both the semi-final and the final.
Only three of the starting team remain.
TRUE BLUE: The Nenagh CBS team celebrate winning the Harty Cup last season. Pic: INPHO/Natasha Barton
Three key players: Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall). Played a key role for James Woodlock’s Tipperary minor side that went all the way to All-Ireland glory. Described as a ‘silky corner forward’, he was also the Tipp free-taker. Bagged three from play in the Harty final. Austin Duff (Toomevara). Emerged as a super-sub in last season’s campaign. He recovered from a serious shoulder injury to play an important role in Tipperary’s minor All Ireland victory and Nenagh’s historic day with 1-1. Shane Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs). Enjoyed a very impressive club campaign at U17 and U19 and the hope is this will continue at schools level.
Prospects: Nenagh CBS captured a first Dean Ryan Cup (as well as a first Harty) in the 2023/2024 season, so this year’s Harty Cup team will be backboned by members of the Dean Ryan team as well as the victorious Tipperary minor squad. Many of the panel and the team are underage again next year.
Midleton CBS
Management: Brian O’Callaghan, Iain Cooney, James Mulcahy, Ciara O’Neill.
Captain: To be rotated.
Last year: Midleton CBS were beaten by Charleville CBS in the Harty Cup quarter-final by six points. Nine players from that starting team have moved on. A new coaching team has taken over (coaches follow students through the years in Midleton CBS) so they are looking forward to the year ahead.
Three key players: Goalkeeper Fionn Murphy (Killeagh). On the senior panel for the last two years, represented Cork minors in 2023, and an integral part of the Killeagh minor and junior A team in 2024. Adam Lee (St Colman’s - Cloyne). A member of the 2024 Cork minor team, hails from the East Cork hurling stronghold and can play in both the half forward line and full forward line. Ben Walsh (Killeagh). Wing back/midfield on Cork U20 team last year. On the senior panel for the last two years. Lots of experience and a tireless worker, hoping to drive the team on this year.
Prospects: The east Cork school is hoping for a good performance against the holders Nenagh CBS in the first round. They’re expecting a tough match as Nenagh also have players from last year’s winning Dean Ryan team coming through. So, they won’t be looking past that. Taking it one game at a time.
St Francis College, Rochestown
Manager: Alan Cadogan.
Captain: Ronan Dooley (Douglas).
Last year: Felt they didn’t do themselves justice in the senior B competition when they were comprehensively defeated by CBS HS Clonmel in the semi-final, having beaten them in the group stage. However, they showed great resilience in the Dr O’Callaghan Cup when they were crowned champions for the first time since 2015/16 beating CBC Cork in the final. Stepping up to the Harty, a cohort of the team are underage again this year.
Three key players: Ronan Dooley (Douglas). The captain is a player of note, scored 3-14 with the Douglas minor team in this season’s campaign, and was a member of Ben O’Connor’s Cork U20 squad. Fionn O’Keeffe (Blackrock) and Brian Lynch (Blackrock). Both are key players for Blackrock at minor and junior level. Brian has come up through the ranks and is showing huge potential. Is currently recovering from a broken finger. Fionn is another huge talent. His father Brian is an All-Ireland winning minor captain with Cork and is a three-time county medallist with Blackrock.
Prospects: Expecting a huge challenge stepping up to Harty, in a very tough group involving Nenagh CBS and Midleton CBS. But they believe the Harty can throw up some surprise results so they are looking to be really competitive. At the same time, they are not looking past their first game and to the challenge that lies ahead.
Analysis: Therese O’Callaghan.
GROUP 5
Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG
Management: Tomás Ó Mainnín (St Finbarrs), Éanna Ó Deasúnaigh (Carrigaline), Tadhg Óg Ó Murchú (Sars), Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh), Donagh Seartan (Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh), Garry Gray (Sars).
Captain: Jamie Hegarty (Whitechurch).
Last year: Beat reigning Harty champions, Cashel, in an opening game thriller, a two-point defeat to Templemore knocked them out on scoring difference with all teams finishing level on points. This year’s team will be built around a strong group of 6th Year students, who will look to blend with several talented players who won U16A County medals last year, defeating a heavily fancied Midleton CBS side.
Three key players: Darragh O’Connell (Whitechurch), Conor Meaney (Na Piarsaigh), Josh Goulding (Glen Rovers) This one is more about the team than the individuals as they have an excellent spread of quality hurlers this year with players from Whitechurch, Na Piarsaigh, Glen Rovers, Mayfield, St. Vincents, Carraig Na bhFear and Blarney all featuring on the panel.
Prospects: While the AG may be lacking any recognised intercounty stars, the school are hopeful that a core group of students, together in the school since first year, can use their close bond and unique spirit to push them into a quarterfinal after Christmas. Hurling in the Northside of Cork City needs a boost, and although they’re underdogs, they’re able.
St Colman’s College, Fermoy
Management: Colm Spillane (Castlelyons), Keith O’Leary (Castlelyons), Sarah Kenny (Kilworth).
Joint-captains: Brian McGrath (Fermoy), Liam Óg Hegarty (Kilworth).
Last year: Wins over St Joseph’s of Tulla and Pobalscoil na Tríonóide of Youghal were enough for Colman’s to join Thurles CBS in the knockout stages from Group B. Their season then ended after Christian’s edged them by 1-7 to 0-8 in the preliminary quarterfinal in a stormy Mallow. A half dozen of that team are back for another Harty campaign.
Three key players: Brian McGrath (Fermoy), Liam Óg Hegarty (Kilworth), Fionn Lardner (Fermoy). Hegarty was a Cork minor panellist in 2023 while he also cut his teeth with Colman’s in the Harty last season. An accurate free-taker, essential at this level, he brings a nice balance to the forward line along with Lardner who was a Cork minor this year and captained Colman’s to the Cork PPS U16 title two years ago. McGrath operates in the engine room at midfield and performed well in last year’s run to the last sixteen.
Prospects: St Colman’s have had more star-studded teams down through the years, but this competition has proved time and time again that that is neither the be all or the end all. They will have a panel with a good hurling education behind them and that are used to competing at the highest level. They will look at this group and fancy themselves with a great chance of making it to the knockout stages and from there who knows what dreams may come.
De La Salle College, Waterford
Management: Kevin Moran (De La Salle), Stephen O’Neill (Mount Sion), William Ormonde (Mount Sion).
Captain: TBC.
Last year: De La Salle were on the wrong side of the fine margins last season. They drew with Coláiste Choilm in their opening game before a one-point defeat to St Flannan’s put them on their backs. Ardscoil Rís kept them there in their final game. There is still a strong core of last year’s team available with the likes of Colm Hartley and Robbie Doherty embarking on their third Harty campaign.
Three key players: Adam Regan (Mount Sion), Colm Hartley (Ballygunner), Robbie Doherty (Mooncoin). Doherty moved between wing forward and midfield on the Kilkenny team that reached this year’s All-Ireland minor hurling final. He bagged 0-3 against Clare in the semi-final and banged in a goal in the decider against Tipperary. Regan was wing forward on the Waterford minor team last year and impressed as a dangerous inside forward in his debut campaign with the Mount Sion senior team this summer. Hartley impressed for the same minor team, particularly as a free taker.
Prospects: De La Salle have been the sole Waterford school competing at this level for the past two years but this year they are joined again by Blackwater Community School. De La Salle were the last Waterford school, operating on their own, to win the Harty back in 2008 and they are always a serious outfit in this competition, drawing players from the likes of Ballygunner and Mount Sion. They will back themselves to get out of the group, and see where they will go from there.
Analysis: John Coleman.
GROUP 6
Thurles CBS
Management: Niall Cahill, Pa Dunne, Stephen Maher, Aidan Stakelum, Luke Jordan (S&C).
Captain: Robbie Ryan (Holycross-Ballycahill)
Last year: Fell at the semi-final stage to Ardscoil Rís. Before that, a perfect group stage saw them qualify directly for the quarter-finals, where they met St Flannan’s College, whom they have been drawn with for 2024/25. A raucous crowd watched that January day in Meelick as Thurles CBS booked their date with Ardscoil. The Limerick school were to prove too strong, however.
Key players: Cormac Fitzpatrick (Drom and Inch), Robbie Ryan (Holycross-Ballycahill), Harry Loughnane (Roscrea). All three of the above were part of the Tipperary under-20 team that got to an All-Ireland final in 2024. Added to that, there were as many as eleven on the minor panel this year. Young Euan Murray is worth a mention.
Prospects: The 22/23 runners-up reached the semis last term having lost all but three starters from their final loss to Cashel CS the previous year. A relatively young team in 2023/24, Niall Cahill will be able to call on a number that panel once again as they look to push on and contend for honours. 16-year-old Euan Murray - scorer of four points from play in this year’s All-Ireland MHC final as Tipperary beat Kilkenny - who marshalled proceedings at midfield impressively last time out, and 2024 Tipp U20 panellists Cormac Fitzpatrick and Robbie Ryan will shoulder much of the Thurles expectations.
St Flannan’s, Ennis
Management: Michael Donnellan, Jamesie O‘Connor, Tony Kelly.
Captain: James Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona).
Last year: Qualified out of the group stage in second place behind Ardscoil Rís. An opening-day loss to the eventual group winners was followed up by a narrow win over De La Salle Waterford and a very convincing 22-point win over Coláiste Choilm. Carrying that momentum into the knockout phase, they had 19 to spare over Castletroy College, before falling to a strong Thurles CBS outfit in the quarters. The two schools renew acquaintances on Wednesday afternoon in Cappamore. Twelve remain involved from last year’s Harty tilt.
Three key players: Joe Casey (Kilmaley), James Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona) and Ronan Kilroy (The Banner). Both captain James Hegarty and Ronan Kilroy were part of the Clare under-20 squad this year, with both starting and impressing as the Banner launched a gallant, yet unsuccessful, fightback in the Munster MHC semi-final against Cork. All three, Hegarty, Kilroy and Kilmaley’s Joe Casey were part of the St Flannan’s side that reached the quarter-final stage last year. Another of the Flannan’s contingent, Robbie Loftus lined out for Eire Óg Ennis in the Clare SHC this year.
Prospects: The 2020 champions will expect to at least repeat their qualification from the group and will have aspirations to go further than the quarters in 2024/25. Despite having to face Thurles CBS to kick-off their campaign, manager Michael Donellan is “sure” his charges will be competitive throughout the group stages and beyond. There are injury absentees in the form of Inagh-Kilnamona’s Jack Mescall and Gearoid Barry, who are likely to remain sidelined - granted they qualify out of the group – until the new year.
Tralee CBS
Management: Mark Ryall, Daithí Griffin, DJ Flaherty
Captain: Hugh Lenihan (St Brendan’s, Ardfert)
Last year: Hurling has been on the rise in Tralee CBS with some time. After making attempts to enter the Harty Cup last term, they instead played in the ‘B’ competition, reaching the quarter-final stage. All bar one of last year’s side are still available to Ryall and coaches Daithí Griffin and DJ Flaherty.
Three key players: Luke Rochford (Ballyduff), Darragh Corridon (Kilmoyley), Liam Óg O’Connor (St Brendan’s Ardfert). All three played senior hurling for their clubs this year, as did Daire Nolan of Crotta O’Neill’s. Captain Hugh Lenihan, a clubmate of O’Connor, will also be key to the Green hopes.
Prospects: Their first steps into Harty Cup hurling have drawn them against tough opposition, but The Green players won’t fear what lies ahead. After a year of playing ‘B’ hurling and plenty Kerry SHC experience under the belt for their key players, excitement will be rife among the playing contingent. The familiarity that exists inside the camp, having only lost one from their 2023/24 side, can only be a positive, as they look to navigate a tricky opening group.
Analysis: Shane Donovan