TUS Dr Harty Cup Final

Cashel Community College 0-12 Thurles CBS 0-11

By Noel Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

Cashel Community College made history by winning the TUS Dr Harty Cup for the very first time in a low key decider at FBD Semple Stadium this afternoon.

The Cashel boys will not care a whit that this game never reached its expected heights as they ground down the fancied Thurles lads to overcome a one point half time deficit into a one point victory by game-end.

There was huge excitement when the final whistle sounded as the Cashel lads erupted into celebration at what was an incredible achievement for the school. And, defeating their neighbours made it all the sweeter with many clubs featuring players on both sets of panels.

This first ever all-Tipperary Harty Cup Final attracted a bumper attendance to FBD Semple Stadium with bucket loads of colour, pageantry and atmosphere dominating the venue which had hosted the Allianz National Hurling League tie between Tipperary and Laois the evening before.

And with the sun shining brilliantly on a very crisp afternoon, the conditions were absolutely perfect for a cracking contest which had Tipperary hurling enthusiasts bristling with anticipation since the semi-finals played out two weeks ago. Cashel Community College were bidding for a first ever title while the Premier County Harty Cup aristocrats Thurles CBS were out for their ninth crown, their last one coming in 2015. The first half certainly did not live up the billing with more wides than scores accounted for.

Both sides seemed nervous with the occasion perhaps getting to a few and it resulted in Thurles hitting seven wides against four for Cashel Community College who were 0-5 to 0-4 in arrears at the break.

Low key is one way of describing this half hour of hurling with three of Thurles' scores coming from placed balls through Robbie Ryan (2) and Tommy Maher, while Aidan Stakelum had the fifth score for the favourites who had not gotten into stride at all. To be fair, Cashel were not allowing them any latitude and the three points from Ronan Connolly placed balls, added to Fabian Ryan's score left them trailing by one, despite being 0-4 to 0-2 in front at the 19th minute mark.

The hope was that the game would open up somewhat in the second half when the nerves had calmed down and the winning post began to come into sight. The defensive units in both sides had more or less dominated the half and did not allow for the sharp shooters to get on much possession - there had been as many rucks as open play and it didn't make for great viewing for the big attendance.

As it stood there was nothing between them and it was certainly all to play for at the halfway mark.

The second half didn't excite either but as the game neared the end the tension gained further and further. Cashel were back on terms within ten minutes of the restart with Ben Currivan and Ronan Connolly pointing for them. And, they continued to hold the much talented Thurles attack confining them to scraps and ensuring that they remained in the tie. 

Cashel went three in front with Connolly (2), Oisin O'Donoghue and Adam Daly hitting four in succession only to see Bill Flanagan, Tommy Maher and Robbie Stapleton reply for Thurles to level the game again with four minutes to go.

David McGrath shoved Cashel in front again only for Tommy Maher to level it up in injury time. But, Cashel had the last throw of the dice with an Eanna Ormond point in the 31st minute sealing a famous win and creating history for Cashel Community College.

Cashel Community College: Tommy Breen, Cian Ryan, Jack Quinlan, Ciaran Byrne, Darragh Spillane, Ger O'Dwyer, Dylan Fogarty, Ronan Connolly 0-6, Shane Buckley, Eanna Ormond 0-1, Ben Currivan 0-1, Oisin O'Donoghue 0-1, David McGrath 0-1, Fabian Ryan 0-1, Adam Daly 0-1.

Subs: Padraic Dalton for Eanna Ormond; Ross Darcy for Fabian Ryan.

Thurles CBS: Eoin Horgan, Liam Doyle, Evan Morris, Padraig O'Dwyer, Eoin O'Connell, Jim Ryan, Stephen Walsh, Joe Egan, Tommy Maher 0-5, Joe Maher, Daniel Rossiter, Aidan Stakelum 0-1, Robbie Ryan 0-3, Jimmie Lahart, Robbie Stapleton 0-1.

Subs: Bill Flanagan 0-1 for Jimmie Lahart; James Doyle for Aidan Stakelum; Darragh Kelly for Robbie Ryan; Jack Hayes for Daniel Rossiter; Emmet Ralph for Eoin O'Connell.

Referee: Eamon Stapleton (Limerick).