REPORT: Thurles CBS show massive character to claim Croke Cup title with incredible comeback

Masita GAA Hurling Post Primary Schools Croke Cup Final

Thurles CBS 0-24

Presentation Athenry 2-17

Tipperary underage hurling continues to lead the way for the Premier county as the latest final in the recent success story got its most dramatic chapter yet as Thurles CBS mounted an incredible second-half comeback to claim the Croke Cup All-Ireland title in Croke Park on St Patrick's Day.

Trailing by 2-14 to 0-12 on the 40th minute after conceding two quick goals, it looked like the Thurles CBS sail had lost its wind in the game as Athenry burst out of the blocks in the second half to take control of the contest.

However, this group showed remarkable resilience and character to outscore the Galway team in the final 20 minutes by 0-12 to 0-3 with some incredible scores in the final ten minutes paving the way for a famous victory and just a fifth Croke Cup title for Tipperary schools.

More to follow................

Scorers: Thurles CBS: Cormac Fitzpatrick (0-10, 0-8f), Kieran Rossiter 0-5, Cillian Minogue 0-3, Euan Murray 0-2, Jack Hayes, David Costigan, James Butler, Robbie Ryan all 0-1 each.

Presentation Athenry: Ciarán Leen (0-9, 0-6f), Aaron Niland (1-2, 1-0f), Frank Burke 1-1, Eoin Hannon, Cian Hannon 0-2 each, Jason Rabbitte, Cian Hannon 0-1 each.

Thurles CBS: Harry Loughnane (Roscrea); Toby Corbett (Upperchurch Drombane), Evan Morris (Holycross Ballycahill), Jack Lahart (Holycross Ballycahill); Killian Cantwell (Moycarkey Borris), Keith Loughnane (Thurles Sarsfields), Ryne Bargary (Boherlahan Dualla); Euan Murray (Durlas Óg), Kieran Rossiter (Durlas Óg); Tiarnán Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), David Costigan (Moycarkey Borris), Cormac Fitzpatrick (Drom & Inch); Jack Hayes (Moycarkey Borris), Robbie Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), Cillian Minogue (Thurles Sarsfields).

Subs used: Aaron Niland (Clarinbridge) for R Burke (20); Éanna McDonagh (Athenry) for F Burke (58); James Diviney (Athenry) for C Hannon (60); Shay Brady (Athenry) for Fallon (64).

Presentation Athenry: Chris Callanan (Clarinbridge); Lucas Keane (Craughwell), Seán Murphy (Clarinbridge), Aodhán McDonagh (Athenry); Oscar Fitzpatrick (Clarinbridge), Darragh Counihan (Clarinbridge), Michael Fallon (Clarinbridge); Robert Burke (Kilconieran), Ronan Murphy (Clarinbridge); Cian Hannon (Athenry), Jason Rabbitte (Athenry), Ethan O’Brien (Turloughmore); Eoin Hannon (Athenry), Ciarán Leen (Craughwell), Frank Burke (Athenry).

Subs used: James Butler (Sean Treacys) for T Ryan (41); Darragh Hickey (Emeralds) for Cantwell (47); Leelan Donoghue (Thurles Sarsfields) for Costigan (63).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)