Huge interest in Nenagh v Thurles Harty semi
GAA: TUS Munster Post Primary Schools Senior 'A' Hurling - Dr Harty Cup Semi-Final Preview
By Shane Brophy and Stephen Barry
Nenagh CBS v Thurles CBS
Fr. Kenyon Park, Templederry
Saturday, 17th January
Throw-in @ 12.30pm (E.T.)
A limited capacity of around 2,000 has been set for Fr. Kenyon Park in Templederry for the highly anticipated Dr Harty Cup semi-final between Nenagh CBS and Thurles CBS this Saturday.
By Thursday lunchtime, just juvenile tickets were left with adult and student tickets sold out on https://munstergaapps.ie/tickets/
The stakes couldn’t be higher as Nenagh CBS and Thurles CBS go head to head this Saturday for what has the makings of classic Dr Harty Cup semi-final.
Tipperary Under 20 manager Brendan Cummins will have more than a passing interest as a large number of his potential panel go head to head, not just for bragging rights, but also a place in the final, and with it guaranteed progression to the All-Ireland series.
Commenting on their quarter-final win over Midleton CBS, Nenagh manager Donach O’Donnell was pleased with the victory but knows they’ll have to find more in the semi-final.
“It was a win, and that was the main thing,” he said.
“We had patches that let us down a little bit so we have a lot of stuff to sort out and work on but our defensive structure is very good.”
In attack, captain Eoghan Doughan contributed 1-14 with his manager describing him as a “phenomenal player.”
“This is third year playing Harty, he started in the final two years ago. He has been a really good leader for us all the way through.
Nenagh have an injury concern over corner back Cormac Kennedy who sustained a dislocated shoulder in the win over Midleton, and looking ahead to the Thurles challenge, O’Donnell said: “They all know each other really well between the under 20’s and the minors. We won it two years ago and they won it last year so it should be a really good game.”
23 miles south in Thurles, the defending champions were made the to battle all the way for their ticket to the semi-final with two James Butler goals the difference in seeing off De La Salle.
“I know we were a point up, but we wouldn't be anywhere near our standards in that first 30 minutes, to be honest with you,” said Thurles selector Stephen Maher.
“We were a bit nervy trying to move the ball as quick as we could. We needed to be patient on the ball, give one more pass in our own half of the field before we could progress it forward. In the second half, we did that a lot better.”
Looking ahead to the clash with Nenagh, the first time the schools have met in the Harty Cup since 2012, Maher agrees it should be a great occasion.
“The Harty Cup is great in a sense when you have local rivalries. Ourselves and Nenagh will have that edge to it. So, it'll be interesting,” he said.
“It's a short turnaround; there won't be a lot of thinking about it. There won't be a lot of time to prepare, getting the bodies right. But any time it's local and the school is close to you, it always adds a little bit. Ourselves and Templemore have had some great matches over the years and now Nenagh.
“Tipp hurling is on the up. Everyone is delighted, All-Ireland champions and 20s champions, so it'll probably draw a crowd. There'll be a lot of interest in it.
“Who are the next Darragh McCarthys? Who are the next Sam O'Farrell’s coming through the school system? So, it'll be interesting, looking forward to it.”