PREVIEW: Some of Tipperary hurling's brightest stars will collide in Templederry

TUS MUNSTER GAA U19A HURLING (DR HARTY CUP) SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW

THURLES CBS vs NENAGH CBS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 IN TEMPLEDERRY @ 12.30pm

There is a high likelihood that there will be people looking to find any avenue of entry to Templederry on Saturday as the clash of Nenagh CBS and Thurles CBS in the Dr Harty Cup semi-final comes into focus.

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Templederry GAA will host the clash between the previous two winners of this competition, with Tipperary having a guaranteed shot at winning a fourth consecutive Harty Cup crown in the final.

Two of the favourites for the honours from the outset, the draw put paid to the chances of an all-Tipperary final, and having successfully navigated their way through the quarter-finals, this clash represents a first meeting between the sides since 2012.

Nenagh CBS had a fine victory over Midleton CBS in their quarter-final in Bansha last Wednesday, with their goal threat carrying them to the finish line, winning out on a 3-17 to 2-14 scoreline.

Current Tipperary U20 star Eoghan Doughan was the main man for the north Tipperary school once again, notching an impressive tally of 1-14 over the course of the game.

They didn't come through the game unblemished though, with corner back Cormac Kennedy suffering a dislocated shoulder in the win.

Defending champions Thurles CBS had a far stickier outing and only managed to shake off their last-eight opponents, De La Salle College, in added time through a second James Butler goal.

The Seán Treacy’s shooter was the key difference between the sides as the Thurles school continued their quest for back-to-back titles, securing a 2-13 to 0-16 win in the end.

KEY MATCH UPS

Numerous players from Tipperary’s successful underage teams of recent years are peppered across both teams, and this game will bring a massive level of intrigue for all Tipperary hurling supporters.

There are match-ups aplenty to look forward to around the field, with some of the recent key figures in the aforementioned All-Ireland wins likely to be in direct contact.

Euan Murray and Billy O'Brien could well be facing off at midfield, while Toby Corbett will be a welcome addition back for Thurles CBS after his club's success in Croke Park last weekend, and with the form player for Nenagh in Eoghan Doughan doing damage, he could be in line to tag the Moneygall star.

An interesting call could be made from Nenagh CBS with the absence of Cormac Kennedy through injury. It leaves them light in the full-back line, and they may opt to shove Patrick Ryan into the backs to try and curtail Cillian Minogue, who has the potential to do real damage if left unchecked.

Ryan has been operating in the forwards for Borris-Ileigh and Nenagh CBS recently, but he has the defensive pedigree from his time with the Tipperary minors to slot in there and do a job.

Speaking of Ryan's, Thurles CBS will be desperate to get more from Tiarnan after the Holycross Ballycahill ace had a quiet day out in the De La Salle game.

Prior to that game, he had been the main man for the Mid Tipperary school, and he could be a match-winner if he hits form. One of Johnny Grace or Shane Cleary are likely to be the designated marker on Ryan.

All told, this is going to be a brilliant occasion for Tipperary hurling and one that the whole county is talking about this week. Let's hope it lives up to its potential.

The winner of the contest will go forward to the final on January 31, where they will face Clare opposition as St Flannan’s College, Ennis take on St Joseph’s of Tulla in the other semi-final on Saturday.

That game takes place in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, also throwing in at 12.30pm.

Possible line-up:

Nenagh CBS: Paddy McCormack (Moneygall); Diarmuid Fogarty (Kiladangan), Dara O'Dwyer (Kiladangan), Patrick Ryan (Borris-Ileigh); Johnny Grace (Burgess), Shane Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Emmet Jones (Nenagh Éire Óg); Austin Duff (Toomevara), Billy O'Brien (Nenagh Éire Óg); Eanna Tucker (Nenagh Éire Óg), Paul Cahalan (Burgess), Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall); Joe O'Dwyer (Burgess), Patrick Hackett (Toomevara), Luke McKeogh (Ballina).

Thurles CBS: Rory Crosse (Boherlahan Dualla); Toby Corbett (Upperchurch Drombane), Darragh Hickey (Emeralds, Urlingford), Conor Kennedy (Boherlahan Dualla); Danny Barry (Fethard), Ryne Bargary (Boherlahan Dualla), Daire Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill); Sean Griffin (Upperchurch Drombane), Euan Murray (Thurles Sarsfields); Tony Ryan (Killenaule), James Butler (Sean Treacys) Tiarnán Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill); Leelan Donoghue (Thurles Sarsfields), Cillian Minogue (Thurles Sarsfields), Chris Dunne (Gortnahoe Glengoole).

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