Nenagh CBS to face St Kieran’s in Schools semi-final

By Shane Brophy

Dr. Harty Cup champions Nenagh CBS now know who their opponents will be as look to add the Croke Cup to the trophy cabinet in the coming weeks.

The Nenagh management and players didn’t have to go far to watch their respective All-Ireland semi-final opponents as Toomevara was the venue for the quarter final between Leinster champions St Kieran College, Kilkenny and Connacht runners-up St Raphael’s College, Loughrea last Saturday.

And for long spells it looked as if it would be a repeat of the 2024 All-Ireland semi-final when the Galway side opened up a five-point lead with ten minutes of normal time remaining. However, St Kieran’s produced a storming finish, scoring 2-7 without reply to record a 2-19 to 0-17 success, setting up a semi-final with Munster champions Nenagh, which will be played on Saturday, 7th March.

The only other time the schools met was at the same stage in 2012 when Nenagh upset St Kieran’s at The Ragg on route to their one and only Croke Cup success.

The other semi-final will see Connacht champions Presentation College Athenry take on St Flannan’s College of Ennis, the Clare side having bounced back from their Harty Cup final defeat by defeating Kilkenny CBC 2-12 to 0-13 in the second quarter final in Bansha on Saturday.

The Croke Cup final will be played at Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day along with the Hogan Cup final in senior school’s football.