HARTY CUP: Ryan runs riot for Thurles CBS in a demolition of Waterford opposition

TUS Dr Harty Cup - Group 3 - Round 2

Thurles CBS 2-29

Blackwater, Lismore 0-7

Thurles CBS added further evidence to their undoubted title credentials with a facile round 2 victory over an understrength Blackwater Community School, Lismore team in the TUS Dr Harty Cup in Goatenbridge on Wednesday afternoon.

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Minus the services of county star Jack Twomey at the heart of their defence for this one, Blackwater struggled to maintain a challenge against the reigning champions, with Tiarnan Ryan leading Thurles to victory with a massive personal tally of 0-12 with ten of those coming from play.

An early goal from Chris Dunne - making his Harty Cup debut for Thurles - gave the Tipperary school the early kick they needed to blow away Blackwater with a further 1-6 being added to the scoreboard for them up to the 22nd minute; the second goal coming from a fortuitous Jack Cahill sideline cut that dropped into the net from range.

From there, Thurles managed to push out into a 2-13 to 0-5 lead by half-time with Cillian Minogue hitting his frees well while Euan Murray and Ryne Bargary dominated the game in the middle third.

With the heads dropped, Blackwater couldn’t keep up the early intensity they showed and with Thurles in full flow, it was a messy second half on the scoreboard for the Waterford team as Tiarnan Ryan ran riot in the pockets around the half-forward line.

At one point from the 44th to the 55th minute, Ryan hit seven points in a row with five of those coming from play, and when you add to that the impact of substitutes like Eoghan Hickey and Alex Coppinger making strong impacts, there was no let up in the scoring stakes until the final whistle blew.

Blackwater had no answer but will still be in the shake up for qualification after winning their first round game against Doon in October, while Thurles have already topped the group with a game to spare and will take some stopping from retaining their Harty Cup title.

Scorers: Thurles CBS: Tiarnan Ryan (0-12, 0-2f), Chris Dunne 1-4, Cillian Minogue (0-6, 0-5f), Jack Cahill (1-2, 1-0 sl-cut, 0-2f), Euan Murray, Eoghan Hickey 0-2 each, Leelan Donoghue 0-1.

Blackwater: Ben Cummins 0-4f, Joseph McDonnell, Hugo Quann, Brian Scanlon all 0-1 each.

Thurles CBS: Jamie Stapleton (Thurles Sarsfields); Evan Nolan (Thurles Sarsfields), Darragh Hickey (Emeralds, Urlingford), Conor Kennedy (Boherlahan Dualla); Danny Barry (Fethard), Ryne Bargary (Boherlahan Dualla), Sean Griffin (Upperchurch Drombane); Euan Murray (Durlas Óg), Jack Cahill (Ballingarry); Tony Ryan (Killenaule), James Butler (Sean Treacys) Tiarnán Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill); Leelan Donoghue (Thurles Sarsfields), Cillian Minogue (Thurles Sarsfields), Chris Dunne (Gortnahoe Glengoole).

Subs used: Tomas Ryan (Upperchurch Drombane) for Dunne (41); Alex Coppinger (Durlas Óg) for Minogue (44); Kyle O'Dowd (Durlas Óg) for Kennedy (45); Eoghan Hickey (Holycross Ballycahill) for Cahill (47); Daire Ryan for Barry (47).

Blackwater: Billy Murphy (Tallow); Lee Dunford (Modeligo), Josh Kiely (Lismore), Keelan Dunne (Lismore); Jack Henley (Tallow), Hugo Quann (Lismore), Brian Burke (Ballyduff Upper); Tommy Forbes (Cois Bhride), Brian Scanlon (St Oliver's); Leo Mulhall (St Oliver’s), Joseph McDonnell (Tallow), Adam Cummins (Lismore); Ben Cummins (Lismore), Darragh O'Brien (Ballysaggart), Sean Óg Costin (St Oliver's).

Subs used: George Morrison (Lismore) for Dunne (27, blood sub); Ross Kavanagh (St Oliver's) for Forbes (33, inj); David Farrell (Lismore) for O'Brien (43).

Referee: Willie Fitzharris (Father Sheehys)

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