Templemore aiming to end 38 year wait for Harty success

There is a great sense of expectation in Templemore and its surrounding areas this week ahead of this Saturday's Harty Cup Final.

Chasing just a second ever title in the blue-ribboned competition in Munster Post Primary Schools hurling, Our Lady's Secondary School Templemore will have to take down the most dominant side in recent times, Ard Scoil Ris from Limerick who are looking to win their fourth title since 2010.

With eight clubs feeding into the school, including players from Toomevara and Borris-Ileigh, Our Ladys won't lack for support on Saturday as they look to bridge a gap back to 1978 when they (as Templemore CBS) won their one and only title, a team that included current selector Noel Fogarty.

The sides last met in 2013 at the semi-final stage when Our Lady's defeated Ard Scoil Ris following a replay with forward Jamie Bergin the only surviving link from that side in which Templemore fell at the final hurdle to the amalgamation of Dungarvan Colleges.

However, this Templemore side comes into this game on a par with their opponents based on their form to date with six impressive victories, achieved in various manners from blow outs to character building late wins, which their semi-final win over De La Salle Waterford was.

“We have shown good form this year,” admitted manager Tom Byrnes, who was also at the helm in 2013.

“We had to be at the top of our game from the start, particularly playing Charleville and Rochestown in our first two games and we managed to record two good wins and it set us on our way.”

A notable feature of Templemore's form has been the high scores they have put up but when a forward line contains Munster minor hurler of the year for 2015 Lyndon Fairbrother, as well as Jamie Bergin, Steven Nolan, and Jerry Kelly who enrolled at the school this term, it's not hard to see why they pose such problems for opposition defences.

Indeed, another Tipperary man will have the job of trying to deal with them this Sunday as Ard Scoil Ris' corner back is Jack Delahunty from Newport, who was on the Tipp minor football panel for the past two years.

However, Templemore almost weren't part of the final as 20 wides through the course of normal and extra time almost scuppered them in the semi-final against De La Salle of Waterford when they threw away a comfortable position late on only to be rescued by a late Anthony Ryan go to force extra time.

However, Tom Byrnes feels coming through a game like that in that manner will stand to his side.

“If we had won by six or seven points we might not have had anything to work on.

“Indeed the last couple of games before that probably didn't help us in terms of being ready,” he said.

Templemore's half back line is mightily experienced with Brian McGrath and Kevin Hassett having played in last years All Ireland minor hurling final while Tom Murphy was also part of the panel while behind them, full back Diarmuid Ryan is as dependable as they come in that position.

Such are the continued wet conditions, the concern for Templemore would be that Ard Scoil Ris are a much more physically stronger side with Nathan Fox and Paul O'Brien key players while corner forward Peter Casey was hugely impressive for Limerick in last years Munster Final and is also part of the Na Piarsaigh starting team for next months All Ireland Club final.

“They will be a huge test,” added the Templemore manager.

“They are big and physical and use it well. They are also very skilled and we will have to be at our best to beat them.”

 

Our Lady's Secondary School, Templemore panel: Jerry Kelly, Ray McCormack (Borris-Ileigh); DeLacy Byrne, Tom Hennessy, Matthew O'Sullivan, Diarmuid Ryan (Clonakenny); Jamie Bergin, Paul Bergin, Pauric Campion, Eoin Collins, Kevin Hassett, Colm Kinnane, Steven Nolan, Aidan O'Meara, Conor O’Meara, Ciaran Thorpe (Drom & Inch); Paddy Cadell, Shane Doyle, Michael Egan O'Brien, Lyndon Fairbrother, Jack Kennedy, Eanna McBride, Tom Murphy, Radik Nataniek, Andrew Ormonde, David O'Shea, Neil Quinlan, Conor Sheedy (JK Brackens); Tomas Nolan (Knock); Martin O'Connell, Stefan Maher, Brian McGrath, Peter Nyland, Anthony Ryan, Eoghan Ryan, Darragh Sweeney (Loughmore/Castleiney); Ross Donnelly (Templederry Kenyons); Jack Ryan (Toomevara).

Mentors: Tom Byrnes, Noel Fogarty & Joe Gallagher.

Ard Scoil Ris panel: Luke Buckley, Mark Connolly, Ronan Connolly, Brian Curtin, Sean Hogan, Sean O'Donoghue (Adare); Sean Phelan (Broadford); David Fitzgerald, Cian Moriarty, Páraic O'Loughlin (Clonlara); Riain Considine, Darragh Cunningham, Michael Danagher, Jack McInerney (Cratloe); Darragh Carroll (Kilteely/Dromkeen); Rory Duff, Sean Mullane, Paul O'Brien (Mungret); Conor Boylan, Jerome Boylan, Peter Casey, Ian Considine, Eoin Foley, Evan Gilvarry, Joe Gleeson, Conor Houlihan, Rueben McCarthy, Gearoid Synott (Na Piarsaigh); Jack Delahunty (Newport); Nathan Fox, Jeff Ryan (Parteen); josh Considine, John Flynn (Patrickswell); Brian Ryan (South Liberties).

Mentors: Niall Moran, Paul Flanagan, Barry Hennessy, Fergal Lyons.

 

PATHS TO THE FINAL

Our Lady’s Templemore

Round 1 – Our Lady’s Templemore 0-20 Charleville CBS 1-15
Round 3 – Our Ladys Templemore 2-14 St. Francis College Rochestown 2-8
Round 4 – Our Ladys Templemore 4-31 PS Youghal 1-9
Round 5 – Our Ladys Templemore 3-24 Gaelcolaiste Mhuire AG 1-09
Quarter-Final – Our Ladys Templemore 1-18 Castletroy CC 3-5
Semi-Final – Our Ladys Templemore 2-15 De La Salle Waterford 2-13 AET

Ardscoil Ris

Round 1 – Ardscoil Ris 4-22 Hamilton HS Bandon 0-9
Round 2 – Ardscoil Ris 1-9 Midleton CBS 0-10
Round 3 – Ardscoil Ris 1-15 Blackwater CS 2-6
Round 4 – Ardscoil Ris 4-11 De La Salle Waterford 1-6
Quarter-Final – Ardscoil Ris 2-11 St Francis College Rochestown 1-7
Semi-Final – Ardscoil Ris 0-13 St Colmans 1-9

 

Parking information for Harty Cup Final

There will be no parking available inside the MacDonagh Park GAA grounds other than that for teams and officials. Ample parking is available on the approach roads to the grounds. Patrons are requested to respect the neighbouring houses and not to obstruct property access gates or roadways.

Patrons also should be aware that public car parks in the town centre are free only for the first two hours on Saturdays.

Patrons are advised to come in good time to the Dr Harty Cup final at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh on Saturday.