Thurles CBS hurlers welcome their new recruit in winning Ryan Cup opener

TUS Munster Post Primary Schools Dean Ryan Cup (U17 A Hurling) - Round 1

Thurles CBS 3-15

De La Salle College 0-19

By Ed Donnelly

The Ragg in Mid Tipperary was the venue for this keenly contested game between two well drilled teams in Thurles CBS and De La Salle College the first round of the Dean Ryan Cup on Wednesday afternoon.

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Thurles and De La Salle had met at this stage in last year’s competition and the Waterford side won out by a single point at Walsh Park. Another close contest was expected this time around and those in attendance were not disappointed.

Played in sunny conditions with a slight breeze favouring De La Salle in the opening half. The Waterford side opened the scoring with a point by Jack O’Sullivan in the opening minute. Conor Kennedy equalised for Thurles before a goal by Zach O’Keeffe in the third minute put the Tipperary team in front.

De La Salle recovered from this early set-back and despite Thurles creating several goal chances, the sides were level after 22 minutes, 1-5 to 0-8. The Thurles goal threat was ever present, and the turning point of the game arrived in the 24th minute when first Cathal Lillis and then Dara Cornally raised green flags for the Tipperary side.

De La Salle to their credit scored three of the last four points of the opening half and trailed by four points at the interval, 3-7 to 0-12.

Thurles with wind advantage in the second half would have expected to add to their lead. However, wayward shooting saw the Thurles side score two points between the 33rd and 52nd minute as they struggled to find the range. De La Salle in the meantime were playing the better hurling at this stage, but struggled to make inroads on the scoreboard.

On five separate occasions in the second half, De La Salle reduced the deficit to three points but at no stage could they get any closer. Man of the match, Thurles CBS corner-forward Cathal Lillis scored two good points from play midway through the second half to keep his team in front.

Reliable free-taker Michael Moloney kept De La Salle in touch with six second half points, five from frees as his team trailed by three points going into the last five minutes.

However, Thurles CBS managed the last two points of the game from Christopher Dunne (free) and Dara Cornally to run out five point winners on a scoreline of 3-15 to 0-19.

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Thurles CBS: James Verling; Eoin Kennedy, Sean Óg Hayes, Hugh Shanahan; Sean Gribbin, Ciaran O’Mahoney, Sean Lanphier; Paddy Ryan, Conor Kennedy (0-2); Christopher Dunne (0-5f, 0-1 ’65), Rory Crosse, David Aylarian; Zach O’Keeffe (1-1), Dara Cornally (1-2), Cathal Lillis (1-4).

Subs used: Tadhg Bourke, Adam Rice, Conor Doherty.

De La Salle College: Joe Byrne; Ronan O’Sullivan, Joey O’Brien, Dara Cunningham; Luke Fitzgerald, Callum Crowley (0-1f), Eoin Keane; Jack O’Sullivan (0-2), Jack Mullally (Joint Captain, 0-3); Charlie Mackey, Andrew Power (Joint Captain, 0-2), Rowan Jacob; Jack Walsh (0-2), Seán Kavanagh (0-1), Michael Moloney (0-8, 0-7f).

Subs used: Conor Treacy, Jack Dowling.

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)