Harty Cup permutations: Where do the Tipperary schools stand ahead of final round?

There is plenty to play for from a Tipperary perspective heading into the final round of the TUS Dr Harty Cup group stages next Wednesday, November 18, with three of the Premier County's four representatives still in contention for knockout hurling.

Thurles CBS and Cashel Community School are involved in an incredibly tight Group 1, while defending champions Nenagh CBS are in a strong position to advance from Group 2.

Unfortunately for Our Lady's Secondary School, Templemore, their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages are already over following successive defeats.

We take a look at where each of the Tipperary schools stands heading into the final round of fixtures.

Group 1 - Thurles CBS and Cashel Community School

It couldn't be much tighter in Group 1 heading into the final round, with all four schools sitting on two points following an eventful opening two rounds of action.

Cashel's two-point victory over Thurles CBS last time out, coupled with De La Salle's victory over Tralee CBS, has left the group wide open, with all four schools in control of their own destiny.

Thurles currently occupy top spot courtesy of their superior scoring difference of +8, with Tralee CBS (-1), Cashel Community School (-3) and De La Salle (-4) making up the rest of the group.

Thurles will take on Tralee CBS in their final group game, while Cashel face Waterford opposition in the form of De La Salle.

The permutations are relatively straightforward for both Tipperary schools. A victory for each would see them advance to the quarter-finals, with Cashel taking top spot courtesy of their head-to-head victory over Thurles.

Given how competitive the group has been to date, however, neither school will be taking anything for granted.

Group 2 - Nenagh CBS

Defending champions Nenagh CBS are in a considerably healthier position heading into their final group game against Árdscoil Rís of Limerick.

The North Tipp school opened their campaign with an impressive 11-point victory over Midleton CBS before being held to a draw by Gaelcholáiste Mhuire in round two.

Nenagh currently sit top of the group on three points alongside Árdscoil Rís, with a superior scoring difference of +11 compared to the Limerick school's +3.

A victory over Árdscoil Rís would see Nenagh secure top spot, while a draw would also guarantee their passage to the quarter-finals.

Even in defeat, Nenagh would still have a strong chance of progressing.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire would need to defeat Midleton CBS and overturn a considerable scoring difference deficit to pip Nenagh to a quarter-final spot, with the Cork school currently trailing the defending champions by 14 points in that regard.

Nenagh will be keen to take care of business themselves, however, and secure a seeded position in the quarter-final draw.

Group 3 - Our Lady's Templemore

Unfortunately, there will be no knockout hurling in the Harty Cup for Our Lady's Templemore this season, with the Mid Tipp school already eliminated with a game to spare.

A heavy opening-round defeat to St Flannan's College was followed by a much more competitive showing against CBC Cork, but a four-point defeat in that encounter ended their qualification hopes.

Our Lady's will take on John the Baptist Community School, Hospital, in their final group game, with both schools looking to finish their respective campaigns on a positive note.

St Flannan's and CBC Cork have already secured their quarter-final places and will face off in the final round to determine who finishes top of the group.

Group 4

The qualification picture is already clear in Group 4, with Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy and St Joseph's Tulla having secured their quarter-final places following successive victories. Both schools sit on four points heading into their final group encounter, with top spot and a seeded position in the quarter-final draw up for grabs.

Blackwater Community School and Castletroy College are already out of contention following successive defeats, with both schools looking to finish their respective Harty Cup campaigns on a positive note when they meet in the final round.

Harty Cup round three fixtures

Wednesday, November 18, all games at 1.30pm.

Group 1

Thurles CBS v Tralee CBS

Cashel Community School v De La Salle Waterford

Group 2

Nenagh CBS v Árdscoil Rís

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire, North Mon v Midleton CBS

Group 3

John the Baptist Community School v Our Lady's Templemore

St Flannan's College v CBC Cork

Group 4

St Joseph's Tulla v Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy

Castletroy College v Blackwater Community School

Venues have yet to be confirmed.