'Unbelievable atmosphere' in Cashel Community School since Harty Cup semi-final victory

Harty Cup final preparations and sitting the mock Leaving Cert exams mean that, at present, there’s never a dull moment in the lives of the Cashel Community School and Thurles CBS players.

Throw in the final fever that has been steadily spreading among the students and staff in both schools ahead of their showdown at FBD Semple Stadium, and you have a heady mix of anticipation and excitement in the build-up to Sunday’s big game at 1pm.

Cashel joint captain Ronan Connolly says that the atmosphere in the school since their semi-final win over Ardscoil Rís has been unbelievable.

“Coming back in on the Monday morning after the win last Saturday week was just fantastic,” says the younger brother of Tipperary senior player Eoghan Connolly.

“It makes life a lot easier going into school, to be honest with you.”

School life includes the certain small matter of the mock Leaving Cert exams. Ronan and the team’s other joint captain, Ben Currivan, sat the English paper last Friday morning week before making their way to the TUS Tipperary Campus Thurles SportsLab for the media event to preview the final.

“In fairness, the exams are one way to take your mind off the match for the week. You just go in and get them done and I’m looking forward to getting them over and done with.”

Ronan’s accuracy from frees was pivotal to the team’s semi-final success, as he struck five points from placed balls to help his team to a 1-12 to 0-14 victory, with Adam Daly’s last-gasp point sealing the deal for Cashel in Kilmallock.

Having reached the school’s first Dr Harty Cup final, the Cashel players intend to make the most of the occasion.

“We’re just looking forward to the final, it can’t come quickly enough for us. We just can’t wait for it,” says the Cashel King Cormacs player.

Similar sentiments have been expressed by Ben Currivan.

“It’s everyone’s dream to play in Semple Stadium, I’ve always dreamed of playing there. Lads can’t wait,” he says.

The Golden/Kilfeacle player, whose clever pass set up David McGrath for the only goal in the semi-final, says “there’s some buzz around the school, it’s great for everyone. We’re delighted to be there”.

He describes the balance between preparing for the match and concentrating on the mock exams as “grand. We’re getting them done”.

Ben is under no illusions about the size of the task that the team faces on Sunday.

“Thurles are a brilliant team, they had a great win over Midleton in the semi-final. We know we’re up against it.

"We got there in the end in the semi-final against Ardscoil Rís, and we’re delighted to be in the final now, and we’ll drive on from there,” he says.