PREVIEW: Thurles CBS just one game away from All-Ireland final date in Croke Park

Masita PPS Croke Cup All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final

Thurles CBS vs Colaiste Bhaile Chlair in Banagher @ 1pm

Thurles CBS go into Saturday's Croke Cup semi-final as strong favourites to clinch a final spot, with Galway's Colaiste Bhaile Chlair from Claregalway standing in the way of progress for the Harty Cup champions.

The Galway outfit produced a surprise result in defeating Leinster runner-ups, striking a late goal to defeat a fancied Kilkenny CBS team who ran perennial challengers St Kieran’s College in the Leinster Schools decider earlier this month.

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It will be exactly one month this Saturday since Thurles claimed a famous win in the Harty Cup final against St Flannan’s and they have had the advantage of a nice run-in to fine tune their efforts, and also keep an eye on potential opposition, and they will know doubt have been in attendance during last Saturday’s quarter-final in Banagher.

Coláiste Bhaile Chláir were well beaten in the Connacht final last month but they will feel they didn’t perform on the day, and with big scalps taken in the form of Kilkenny CBS and last year’s All-Ireland finalists St Raphael’s, they won’t be underestimated.

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