TUS Dr Harty Cup semi-final: Thurles CBS win big to set up historic decider

Thurles CBS 3-20

Midleton CBS 2-7

The TUS Dr Harty Cup, Munster Colleges senior hurling final will be an all-Tipperary affair for the first time ever following a superb showing from Thurles CBS against their Midleton couunterparts in Mallow this afternoon.

Thurles followed neighbours Cashel Community College into the final to bring a real local flavour to the provincial showcase in two weeks time - an intriguing battle is in store.

A dirty mist had descended on the Mallow GAA Grounds ahead of throw-in and this would make for difficult conditions for the players to master, even if the sod was firm enough. Still, the conditions did not dampen the enthusiasm of either side and the Thurles lads had the incentive of knowing that victory would trigger an all-Tipperary Dr Harty Cup Final - a unique fixture no doubt.

Two goals in three minutes was the real story of the first half of this game with Thurles full forward Jimmy Lahart grabbing both either side of a blast Jack Leahy of Midleton.

The Thurles goals in the 8th and 10th minutes, were a real tonic for Thurles CBS who played into the breeze in that first half. And it got better for them with points from Robbie Stapleton, Robbie Ryan, Joe Egan and Robbie Ryan again, making it four in a row for the Thurles lads to help them to a 2-9 to 1-6 interval lead.

It was a very sizeable gap considering the conditions, but Midleton had shown plenty of danger in their attack too with Jack Leahy hitting 1-2 for them and looking very sharp.

Thurles had a great start to the second half with a well fashioned goal resulting in Robbie Ryan adding to his tally in the 2nd minute, after Stapleton and O'Connell combined. But, Midleton hit back when a mistake in the Thurles defence saw sub Colm Leahy  net in the 4th minute. The key from a Thurles perspective though was that they hit the next seven points in succession from Joe Maher (3), Robbie Stapleton (2) Aidan Stakelum and Tommy Maher  to extend their lead to thirteen points with a quarter to go. They were home and hosed surely.

With the floodlights turned on and the stink bombs and flairs flying in all directions, Thurles CBS saw out the game to create an historic fixtures in the famed Harty Cup decider - Thurles, who ran down the bench in the last quarter, won the second half by 1-11 to 1-1.