Mid-Tipperary Harty cup derby match ends with the spoils going to Thurles CBS

A fantastic battle full of skill and toil was played out in the Mid-Tipperary schools Harty Cup derby game between Thurles CBS and Our Lady's Templemore at The Ragg this afternoon.

The wind, the rain and heavy sod if anything just added to the excitement in what was a full-bloodied game.

Thurles CBS held all the aces right from the off however the honesty and competitive spirit of the Templemore side kept the game exciting right up until the full time whistle. 

Thurles CBS built up a solid advantage right away where quick-fire points from Robbie Ryan, Killian Cantwell, Tiarnan Ryan and James Butler sent Thurles into a strong lead with Templemore yet to score. 

When they did find their range Templemore settled into the game, however they were chasing it which wasn't ideal with the weather unfavourable to a high scoring game. 

Padraic O'Shea and Eoin Boyle scores brought Templemore back into contention leaving it 0-5 to 0-2 at the quarter mark. 

It was a fair reflection of the game with Thurles able to find scores that bit more easily.

Cillian Minogue and Robbie Ryan, both dangerous in the full forward line, stretched the lead as Thurles played with dominance. 

In defence Toby Corbett was clearing the ball while Keith Loughnane was mopping up loose play at six and the forwards were grateful for possession sent in fast. 

Cormac Fitzpatrick was hitting the frees and struck from play too as Thurles stretched their lead to nine points at the break leading 0-12 to 0-9.

Our Lady's Templemore needed to come up with something different to find a way back into the game but on resumption Thurles added two points from the All-Ireland minor medalist Tiarnan Ryan and the powerful James Butler to go 0-14 to 0-3 up. 

Templemore supporters were craving something to shout about and good work by Jack Marnell build an attack when up stepped Philip O'Dwyer to shake the net with a well-taken shot past Harry Loughnane. 

It was a lifeline and it called the rest of the Templemore lads to arms. They rallied well with Padraic O'Shea playing well and Chris Dunne at 11 growing into the game. 

The response was swift though. Cormac Fitzpatrick and the impressive Ryne Bargary, who popped up to win ball all over the field, struck points to stretch the lead again. 

Chris Dunne hit one for Templemore but when a ball broke free in the Templemore defence and no free was called, Thurles duly extended their lead before Robbie Ryan finished a slick move to the net which effectively killed the game as a contest on the scoreboard.

The intensity didn't drop however as Templemore worked even harder to get back into the game and a helter skelter finish to the match was played out at a ferocious pace. 

Overzealous challenges in 'a shemozzle' in front of the Stand led to a raft of yellow cards being dispensed by referee John Buglar and a red card to Killian Cantwell.

Overall it was a genuine, hardy contest with honest and robust challenges between the age-old rivals. 

The win in an intense encounter like that is sure to bring Thurles CBS on quite a bit and they looked to have figured out more about the characteristics of the team with Keith Loughnane at 6, Euan Murray around the middle and Cillian Minogue at full forward. 

James Butler, Tiarnan Ryan and Ryne Bargary really stuck in and impressed in the tough conditions. Overall Thurles CBS were impressive. 

Our Lady's struggled to get scores in the first half and grew into the match making it an exciting contest to watch but overall the firepower and range of scorers was the difference for Thurles CBS who hurl on now into 2025. 

Thurles CBS Scorers: C Fitzpatrick (0-7, 3f), R Ryan (1-3), T Ryan (0-3), R Bargary, C Minogue, J Butler (0-2 each), K Cantwell, K Rossiter (0-1 each).

Our Lady’s Templemore Scorers: P O’Shea (0-3, 3f), P O’Dwyer (1-0), E Boyle (0-2), C Dunne (0-1).

Thurles CBS: H Loughnane (Roscrea); T Corbett (Upperchurch Drombane), E Morris (Holycross Ballycahill), J Lahart (Holycross Ballycahill); K Cantwell (Moycarkey Borris), K Loughnane (Thurles Sarsfields), R Bargary (Boherlahan Dualla); E Murray (Durlas Óg), K Rossiter (Durlas Óg); J Butler (Sean Treacys), D Costigan (Moycarkey Borris), T Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill); C Fitzpatrick (Drom & Inch), R Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), C Minogue (Durlas Óg).

Subs: L Donoghue (Durlas Óg) for Lahart (42), D McCahey (Loughmore Castleiney) for R Ryan (53), D Hickey (Emeralds) for Corbett (54), B Fogarty (Durlas Óg) for Butler (61).

Our Lady’s Templemore: C Bourke (JK Brackens); T Burke (JK Brackens), S Gleeson (Moneygall), D Hoare (Drom & Inch); M Conroy (Drom & Inch), N Delaney (JK Brackens), B Collier (JK Brackens); C Cahill (Drom & Inch), C Broderick (JK Brackens); J Marnell (JK Brackens), P O’Shea (JK Brackens), J Quinn (Loughmore Castleiney); P O’Dwyer (Upperchurch Drombane), S Stapleton (Clonakenny), C Dunne (Gortnahoe Glengoole).

Subs: K Martin (JK Brackens) for Broderick (40), S Stapleton (Clonakenny) for Quinn (53), R Morris (Loughmore Castleiney) for Gleeson (53, injured).

Referee: John Bugler (Clare).