The Final Countdown
By Shane Brophy
Excitement is building this week in Nenagh and the surrounding area ahead of St Joseph’s CBS’ latest attempt to win a first ever Dr. Harty Cup (Munster Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling).
Four times previously, Nenagh CBS have fallen short at the final hurdle of adding their name to the prestigious roll of honour, but off the back of breaking their duck in the Dean Ryan Cup (Under 17 ‘A’ Hurling) last November, it would be a special double if they were to become Harty Cup winners for the first time in the same term.
“It would be very special but one day at a time,” St Joseph’s principal Karen O’Donnell said cautiously.
“It’s great to be in the final.
“Since I have been in the school this is my second experience of the final, unfortunately we didn’t bring it home in 2012 but went onto win the Croke Cup (All-Ireland Final).
“From a school point of view, looking at the bigger picture, the boys are here for an education but what runs parallel to that is the really strong sporting tradition we have here.
“When you reach finals of competitions like this it is what we are working towards in that extra-curricular space, so we are delighted for the lads and the management team, and it brings a great buzz and energy to the school community in general.
“Between the Dean Ryan, having won that, and now the Harty final, there is a great buzz around.”
Standing in Nenagh’s way of a first success is Limerick powerhouse Ardscoil Ris who have won five titles, all since 2010, and have the benefit of a little home advantage for the final in Cusack Park, Ennis, next Saturday at 1.00pm, as ten of their starting line-up from their semi-final win over Thurles CBS are from the Banner County.
Despite the fact the Tipperary senior hurlers start their National League campaign away to Dublin later in the afternoon, a large crowd is expected in Ennis for one of the biggest underage hurling games in the GAA calendar.
For anyone still deciding whether to go to Dublin or Ennis, the Tipp game is on television and can be watched after, while Harty Cup final appearances are few and far between for a school like Nenagh CBS and the possibility of saying you were there is they win their first is too big of a lure not to be missed.
Full match preview on pages 72-75.