Croke Cup Preview: Thurles CBS looking to shake recent form for second final appearance

Croke Cup All Ireland PPS Senior Hurling Semi-Final

Thurles CBS vs Presentation Athenry in St Brendan's Park, Birr @ 2.30

A tighter than expected game in the quarter-final of this competition last week eventually saw Thurles CBS over the line, as they set up a semi-final tilt against a tough looking Galway opposition in the second semi-final in Birr next Saturday.

Expectations going to Park Ratheniska would have had Thurles CBS as strong favourites to overcome Colaiste Eoin of Dublin with a bit to spare, but they allowed the Dubs to stay in the contest for large spells due to some really poor shooting; particularly at the beginning of the second half.

That will be a concern for Eamonn Buckley and his management team ahead of this game, as before the Harty Cup loss to Cashel Community School, their forward division was in irresistable form, notching huge scores in all their games.

The Connacht champions have some very good players in their ranks, with no fewer than four players from last year’s county minor squad who were in action against Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final in Limerick; which turned out to be a cracking contest.

They have Conor Lawless, Orin Burke, and Darragh Counihan who all started that game against Tipperary that day, but their key man is based at full forward in the form of mercurial talent Aaron Niland who is seen by many in Galway as their next superstar.

The youngster scored 2-11 against Tipperary in that All-Ireland semi-final back in June of last year, and despite only being 15 at the time, he was impossible to handle and he has been a driving force for this Athenry team so far this year.

Athenry represent a big challenge for Thurles, but also a big opportunity and in fairness to the management team, they haven’t shirked making changes with the strength of the panel being highlighted as Bill Flanagan and Darragh Kelly, along with James Doyle all coming into the line-up the last day against Colaiste Eoin to good effect so there is impact from the bench if things aren’t going their way.

Thurles will need to keep young Niland under wraps as much as possible, but if they can get the most out of Joe Egan, Tommy Maher, and Robbie Ryan and find their scoring accuracy they will definitely be in with a chance, and should they do that it could be a repeat of the Harty Cup final - this time in Croke Park!