Thurles CBS are ready to take the chance to make history and take home the spoils

As the countdown to the Harty Cup Final against St Flannan’s begins, excitement is palpable among the players and supporters of Thurles CBS.

We caught up with star forward Robbie Ryan ahead of the highly anticipated clash this Saturday at 1pm in Mallow.

“Can’t wait now,” Robbie said with enthusiasm. “Just really looking forward to Mallow, getting down there, getting out on the field, and hopefully getting over the line.”

Reflecting on his years spent at Thurles CBS, Robbie emphasized the importance of the school in shaping young hurlers. “The school has been absolutely great to me and to so many other young hurlers.

“If you want to send your child somewhere to get good hurling, you’re sending them to CBS. It’s amazing to have days like this to be part of,” he shared.

Wearing the Thurles CBS colours carries a weight of pride and tradition. “100%. The history there is massive—so many titles, like the Harty Cup and the Croke Cup not too long ago. Hurling is a big part of life in CBS; we have hurling at lunch every break, and all the teachers are excellent, big hurling people.”

As they prepare for the final, Robbie reflects on the journey that brought them here. “We started off against Flannans in Cappamore and were lucky to get a draw. Then we had victories against Tralee, Templemore, and Ard Scoil Ris which were all great occasions and tricky matches. The last match was really close and being at our best was crucial, and we got over the line there, too.”

He acknowledges the strength of St Flannan’s, stating: “They have some amazing players, and we’re very aware of that. But we’re confident in our own team and just really looking forward to getting out on the field.”

Robbie, who won county Under 19 and Under 21 county titles with his club Holycross-Ballycahill last season, in what was a busy time before Christmas with the Harty campaign underway.

Away from the playing fields the Harty panel in Thurles shared a unique experience. Homelessness Awareness week took place for Edmund Rice Schools Trust all over the world on the 18th of November. The Thurles CBS Harty Panel missed this opportunity to support people in need on this date but decided that they would support this cause at a later date.

Using contacts in ERST Thurles CBS reps contacted St Mary’s CBS in Belfast and asked for the use of their fabulous facilities. They were welcomed by St Mary’s and travelled up.

In ten days, the boys ran a “Bake Sale” collecting €1,000 for the Westcourt Centre and all the plans for an overnight sleep out in the St Mary’s sports hall were pulled together.

The team and mentors travelled up to Antrim and while they managed to play some hurling too, they were offered an insight into life far from Tipperary.

The Harty Cup panel travelled north and slept out to highlight issues surrounding homelessness. Robbie recalled a unique experience that deepened team bonds and provided a broader perspective on hurling. Overall it was a great experience for the players.

“Before Christmas, we went to the north of Ireland and stayed at a school up there. It was an amazing experience; you don’t realize how lucky we are until you see how they relate to Gaelic games up there. It really brought us together as a team.”

With the Harty Cup Final on the horizon, Robbie’s passion for hurling and commitment to Thurles CBS is evident. As he prepares to step onto the pitch in Mallow, he and his teammates hope to add another chapter to the storied history of their school.

The Harty Cup was established in 1918, and Thurles CBS has been one of the prominent schools in the competition. The school’s first significant success came in the 1950s, and it has since produced many talented hurlers who went on to achieve success at both club and county levels.

The 1950s was also the glory era for ‘Flannan’s’ who had many boarders, often there to focus on hurling, as they won four titles that decade while the Thurles school claimed three in the same era.

As it stands the Ennis side is at the top of the roll of honour with 22 titles, the latest in 2020, while the Thurles school has won the cup on eight occasions most recently in 2015 when the late Dillon Quirke was part of the winning team.

The latest chapter is this Saturday at 1pm in Mallow when Thurles CBS takes on St Flannan’s in what promises to be an unforgettable final!