Thurles CBS romp home to victory against Tipperary rivals in Fitzgerald Cup decider

Tipperary PPS Fitzgerald Cup Hurling Final

Thurles CBS 7-24

Nenagh CBS 3-13

Thurles CBS got their final appearances in the month of March off to the best possible start as they cut loose on Nenagh CBS in Fethard Town Park on Thursday afternoon to clinch the Tipperary GAA Post Primary School (U17) Fitzgerald Cup crown.

The Mid Tipperary schools Harty Cup winning side will be travelling to Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day to take on Presentation Athenry in the hallmark schools hurling final, and some of that team were chanced in Fethard as a close encounter was expected between two schools who have had plenty of recent success.

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However, this one never met expectations as Harty stars in Euan Murray and Kieran Rossiter led from central position in defence and attack, demolishing a Nenagh CBS team who never got going and had far too much ground to make up by half-time.

Thurles played against the sizable wind in the first half and despite that, they wasted no time in getting up to speed by racing into a 1-2 to nil lead after just three minutes thanks to points from Dara Doyle, Kieran Rossiter and a first goal of three for Eoin Webb at corner forward.

Nenagh were slow to get into a rhythm but they did bring the game level by the 15-minute mark, thanks in large part to Patrick Hackett, who hit two classy points from play and a brace of well taken placed balls after that early Thurles salvo, and with scores from Paul Cahalan, Éanna Tucker and Eoin Grace (free) it felt like we were finally get into the contest expected.

Unfortunately for all the spectators in situ, that was as close to a contest as we would see on the day as Thurles went to town for the rest of the half, out-scoring their opponents by 3-9 to 0-2 in that time, with young Eoin Webb completing his hat-trick in that flurry while Zach O’Keefe provided the fourth goal with a smart finish in the 21st minute.

The half-time score made for distressing viewing for Nenagh as they trailed 4-13 to 0-9 at the interval.

Substitute Rian McGrath made an immediate impact after the restart with a well taken point from play, and that was added to quickly by Eoin Grace from a free in the first few minutes to give Nenagh a nudge in the right direction.

While Nenagh kept the contest honest in the first quarter of the half to take an even share of the first eight points, a red mist descended on the fare on the 40th minute with a schemozzle breaking out near the sideline and, after the ruckus was broken up, referee Willie Fitzharris flashed a red card to each team, with Dan McKelvey and Jack Cahill receiving their marching orders for their involvement.

From here, the space suited Thurles a lot more than it did Nenagh as they proceeded to romp home for the remainder, extending their advantage with further goals from Zach O’Keefe, Conor Kennedy (CR), and Conor Campion as the Nenagh defensive dam had officially burst.

In fairness to Nenagh, they never stopped looking for scores to restore a bit of pride and they hit two fine goals in the final ten minutes - both coming in similar, individual fashion - with Patrick Hackett and Eoin Grace leaving defenders in their wake to bury strong efforts to the back of the net.

Such was the Thurles’ dominance, they even had the luxury of taking off Euan Murray and Kieran Rossiter in the middle of the second half, as they eased home in the remaining minutes and completed the first leg of what they hope will be a brilliant double of final wins ahead of the Croke Cup final on Monday week.

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Thurles CBS: Rory Crosse (Boherlahan Dualla); Conor Kennedy (Clonoulty Rossmore, 1-0), Conor Kennedy (Boherlahan Dualla, 0-1), Andy Rossiter (Durlas Óg); Dara Hickey (Emeralds), Kieran Rossiter (Durlas Óg, 0-2), Danny Barry (Fethard, 0-2); Dara O’Dwyer (Durlas Óg, 0-1), Eoin Kennedy (Boherlahan Dualla); Dara Doyle (Killenaule, 0-2), Euan Murray (Durlas Óg, 0-2), Sean Griffin (Upperchurch Drombane, 0-1)1-11; Zach O’Keefe (Holycross Ballycahill, 2-1), Jack Cahill (Ballingarry, 0-6, 0-2 65, 0-1f), Eoin Webb (Durlas Óg, 3-5).

Subs used: Conor Campion (Moyne Templetuohy, 1-1, 0-1f) for Murray (44); Sean Lanphier (Moycarkey Borris) for K Rossiter (45); Richie Maher (Moycarkey Borris) for Hickey (46); Sean Óg Hayes (Drom & Inch) for A Rossiter (51); Luke Carroll (Sean Treacys) for Webb (56). 

Nenagh CBS: Paddy McCormack (Moneygall, 0-1f); Ruairi Hackett (Kiladangan), Dan McKelvey (Silvermines), James Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg); Jack Bourke (Silvermines), Johnny Grace (Burgess), Cormac Kennedy (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Paul Cahalan (Burgess, 0-1), Robert Horan (Portroe); Éanna Tucker (Nenagh Éire Óg, 0-4), Hugo Healy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Patrick Hackett (Toomevara, 2-5, 1-2f, 0-1 65); Charlie Kennedy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Eoin Grace (Silvermines, 1-2, 0-2f), Tom Boland (Kiladangan).

Subs used: Rian McGrath for Heffernan (HT); Adam O’Callaghan (Portroe) for McGrath (35, inj); Michael McLoone (Nenagh Éire Óg) for Boland (47).

Referee: Willie Fitzharris (Fr Sheehys)