Ruthless Thurles CBS turn on the style to dismantle fancied De La Salle in Harty Cup opener

TUS Dr Harty Cup - Group 1 - Round 1

Thurles CBS 2-27

De La Salle College 2-17

Thurles CBS delivered a ruthless second-half display to get their Dr Harty Cup campaign off to the perfect start on Friday afternoon, overcoming a fancied De La Salle College outfit by ten points in an entertaining Group 1 opener in Grangemockler.

A tight first half produced a magnificent exhibition of striking from both sides, but Thurles eventually took control after the restart, with goals from captain Sean Griffin and Chris Dunne putting the result beyond doubt.

The Tipperary school were particularly impressive during the final quarter, when their slickness, work rate and superior attacking quality proved far too much for their Waterford opponents.

Dunne was outstanding, finishing with 1-8, while Griffin, Jack Cahill and the defensive contributions of Darragh Hickey and Danny Barry were equally important in a hugely encouraging opening performance.

The first half was an extraordinary display of shooting, with Thurles registering just two wides compared to De La Salle's five. Indeed, to highlight the Tipperary school's remarkable proficiency in front of goal, they would finish the entire contest with just five wides, an impressive return considering they registered 2-27 over the course of the hour.

Both teams were ruthlessly efficient in the opening half, with quick restarts and excellent long-range striking ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking over.

The sides were level at 0-6 apiece after fifteen minutes, with Cahill particularly prominent for Thurles, landing two excellent long-range frees and another fine point from play. Conor Kennedy, Dunne and Eoin Kennedy also contributed, while De La Salle relied on the accuracy of Jamie Shanahan, alongside scores from Jack Walsh, Daniel Ryan and Darragh Hickey.

De La Salle perhaps looked the slicker outfit during the opening quarter, but Thurles gradually began to find their rhythm. Cahill was doing serious damage around midfield, while Barry and centre-back Oran Fogarty also demonstrated their scoring ability.

By the 26th minute, the sides remained deadlocked at twelve points apiece, but Thurles finished the half considerably stronger. Cahill edged them ahead in the 28th minute before Griffin registered his first point following an excellent delivery from Hickey.

Dunne then converted his third free of the half to give Thurles a 0-15 to 0-12 interval advantage, although De La Salle were certainly not out of contention. Thurles resumed impressively, with Dunne and Eoin Kennedy adding early points, but De La Salle responded through Shanahan and Jack Mullally.

The Waterford school then struck a magnificent goal in the 36th minute. Mullally burst through the Thurles half-back line before releasing Hickey, who gathered brilliantly and, in one movement, fired an accurate effort into the top corner past Rory Crosse.

It was a wonderful piece of individual skill, but Thurles' response was even more impressive. Dunne immediately converted a free before substitute Charlie Lawlor won a crucial breaking ball inside the 14-yard line and slipped possession to Griffin, who buried a low shot into the net.

De La Salle refused to wilt, however, and two further Shanahan points reduced the deficit to three at 1-19 to 1-16 after 41 minutes. But that was as close as they would come. Griffin produced a superb sideline point while moving backwards before Dunne effectively settled the contest with a brilliant opportunistic goal in the 45th minute.

Darragh O'Dwyer had cut in along the endline before squaring possession, and although Jack Power initially intercepted, Dunne reacted quickest to flick the ball from the defender's hand into the net as he attempted to clear. It was a devastating blow for De La Salle, and Thurles never looked back.

Further excellent points from Barry, Griffin, O'Dwyer and Darragh Doyle, along with Dunne's continued accuracy from placed balls, saw the Tipperary school stretch their advantage.

De La Salle managed a late consolation goal through substitute Jack O'Sullivan, who finished from a tight angle in injury time, but it did little to alter the outcome.

Thurles will be delighted with the manner of their victory, particularly against such highly regarded opposition, as they begin their quest to reclaim the Harty Cup crown they surrendered last season.

Scorers: Thurles CBS: Chris Dunne (1-8, 0-7f), Sean Griffin 1-3, Jack Cahill (0-6, 0-3f), Danny Barry, Darragh Doyle, Oran Fogarty, Eoin Kennedy all 0-2 each, Darragh O’Dwyer, Conor Kennedy (CR) 0-1 each.

De La Salle College: Jamie Shanahan (0-10, 0-8f), Darragh Hickey 1-1, Jack O’Sullivan 1-0, Jack Mullally 0-2, Andrew Power, Adam Mills, Daniel Ryan, Jack Walsh 0-1 each.

Thurles CBS: Rory Crosse (Boherlahan Dualla); Conor Kennedy (Boherlahan Dualla), Darragh Hickey (Emeralds), Ciarán O’Mahoney (Thurles Sarsfields); Danny Barry (Fethard), Oran Fogarty (Thurles Sarsfields), Conor Kennedy (Clonoulty Rossmore); Jack Cahill (Ballingarry), Richie Maher (Moycarkey Borris); Darragh Doyle (Killenaule), Chris Dunne (Gortnahoe Glengoole), Eoin Kennedy (Boherlahan Dualla); Darragh O’Dwyer (Thurles Sarsfields), Sean Griffin (Upperchurch Drombane), Aaron Darmody (Thurles Sarsfields).

Subs used: Charlie Lawlor (Thurles Sarsfields) for Maher (35); Conor Donnelly (Moycarkey Borris for Darmody (61); David Ayilaran (Thurles Sarsfields) for Griffin (62).

De La Salle College: Darragh Duffy (Ballygunner); Jeff Fanning (De La Salle), Adam Mills (Ballygunner), Sean Kavanagh (Ballyhogue); Darragh Hickey (Ballygunner), James Comerford (Ballygunner), Jack Power (Ballygunner); Jack Mullally (De La Salle), Andrew Power (Ballygunner); Jack Walsh (Mount Sion), Daniel Ryan (Roanmore), Jamie Shanahan (Erin’s Own); Callum Crowley (Ballygunner), Matthew Flynn (Ballygunner), Michael Moloney (Ballygunner).

Subs used: Jack O’Sullivan (Ballygunner) for Flynn (48); Darragh Cunningham (Ballygunner) for Walsh (48); Conor Sherlock (Ballygunner) for Moloney (50); Cian O’Sullivan (Ballygunner) for Ryan (59).

Referee: Shane O’Neill (Moyle Rovers)