Thurles CBS hurling coach expects Harty cup final to be huge occasion

The anticipation is palpable as Thurles CBS prepares to face St Flannan’s in the Harty Cup Final, a prestigious event that marks the pinnacle of school hurling.

With both teams boasting impressive records and a storied rivalry, this final promises to be a must-watch for hurling enthusiasts across the region.

Thurles CBS coach Niall Cahill, a proud alumnus of the school, spoke passionately about the significance of the Harty Cup. “It’s something that means an awful lot in Thurles CBS,” he stated.

“Whenever anybody starts out in the school, or even before when they’re in primary school, they just know the Harty Cup. The buzz and sense of excitement is unreal surrounding the game.”

Cahill reflected on the strong local support, noting the impressive turnout at previous finals. He notes in particular the final two years ago between Cashel CS and Thurles CBS.

“Even two years ago, there were 7,000, 8,000 people at it. That year, there was a bigger crowd at that Harty match than there was at the Tipperary senior hurling cup final in Semple Stadium that year,” he said.

“This just shows how the locality loves hurling and values school hurling as a stepping stone.”

Thurles have been knocking on the door with this group of players for some time. Narrowly beaten in the past couple of years they hope it is third time luck and that it is a three-in-a-row for Tipperary schools as Cashel won the title two years ago while Nenagh CBS won it last year.

The upcoming final against St Flannan’s will be close too. The Clare school, coached by Brendan Buglar, Jamesie O’Connor and All-Ireland winning captain Tony Kelly are a team that previously drew with Thurles in the group stages.

This final is expected to be a fiercely contested encounter.

“It’s going to be a tough battle. We’ve seen how strong they are, especially after their performance in recent times. A lot of their team hurl with Clare as well,” Cahill remarked.

“Both teams probably had a bit of luck with injuries getting to this point, but we’re under no illusions about how good St Flannan’s team is.”

Cahill, who is originally from just over the border in Kilkenny, expressed his confidence in his team, praising the talents of his players: “We have some really talented boys. They’ve done it all with Tipperary, and the future is bright for them,” he said.

“These guys will live up to the billing so it will be a great final, and once we come out on top, we’ll be happy.”

The emotional weight of the final is not lost on the players, many of whom are driven by a desire to secure their first medal after narrowly missing out in previous finals.

“Some of these boys have lost their last three matches in Harty schools hurling,” Cahill shared.

“They lost by a point two years ago in the final to Cashel, so they want to win that medal and take home the cup.”

As the day of the final approaches, the excitement within Thurles CBS and the surrounding community continues to build.

Many clubs from Roscrea to Knockavilla as well as Galmoy, Upperchurch and Sean Treacys are all represented on the CBS panel.

With the stakes high and the local pride on the line, both teams are ready to give their all in what promises to be a classic encounter in the Harty Cup history.

Fans are encouraged to come out and support their teams, as this final is sure to showcase the best of young hurling talent and community spirit.

A big crowd is expected on Saturday in Mallow and Ed Donnolly, a past pupil of Thurles CBS, says that those attending are advised to arrive early.

“In Thurles and Flannans you have two of the aristocrats of Munster schools hurling so I am really looking forward to the day.

“Thurles CBS haven’t won since 2015 while Flannan’s did get in and won the cup in 2020 but unfortunately for them at that time Covid struck so they never got to play the All-Ireland afterwards. Every year both schools would be there or thereabouts as they have a great pick.”

The tradition and the history is famed, with many Tipperary players like Donie Nealon and Len Gaynor playing Harty cup with the Ennis school.

Ed says that he knows all about the history and tradition from his own school days at Thurles CBS: “From being there myself I remember the great tradition.

“I remember we got to the Harty cup final in 1988 for the first time in years and back then there was great excitement around Thurles. It is like that now because the flagship team in the school is going well.”