Thurles CBS stride on in Harty Cup after a powerful shooting display in Cork

TUS Dr Harty Cup - Group 2 - Round 3

Thurles CBS had already qualified for the knockout stages of this year’s TUS Dr Harty Cup but fulfilled the fixture and struck thirty-one points on a trip to Bishopstown GAA Grounds for today's clash with Pobalscoil na Trionoide which was played in bright sunshine. 

The Tipperary representatives, while they have only got three of the starting team from last year's final, were comforable winners in the end after hitting seventeen second half points. They are through now to the quarter-finals after today's confidence boosting win.

Thurles CBS, who will play that quarter-final after Christmas, were the stronger team and afterwards their manager Eamonn Buckley said that they just focused on the game at hand: "We set out at the start of the year to top the group so it was kind of a strange day coming down to Cork when we knew beforehand we were already qualified but in fairness, after a slow start, the boys got into it so we are happy going home."

The 4G pitch once more made for lively, high scoring action in contrast with old school Harty cup hurling, and it was a game that was open and with the time and space on hand, the fast ball allowed for skills to be showcased. 

While it didn't have the cut and thrust of knockout hurling it was highly competitive in the opening half, and Youghal started prominently before Thurles stormed into action with four quick fire scores from David Costigan, Kevin Laffan, James Doyle and Robbie Ryan to go 0-4 to 0-3 up after eight minutes. 

The Cork side had a star man in county minor star Jayden Casey, and he was the 'go to player' at centre forward. They had it back at 0-5 a piece through his sweet striking midway through the half before Thurles went on the attack. This time it was lethal for Youghal as it ended in a goal that dampened the Youghal challenge. 

Robbie Ryan latched onto a long clearance and burst through the middle before the ball broke nicely in front of the square for David Costigan. He had a second to think, and steadied himself before pulling first time on the ball that sped under Oisin Walsh in the goals. 

It shocked Pobalscoil na Trionoide into life as they should have been further clear before that with all the possession they had in the opening stages. They responded with four scores, one of them a goal from skilful Jayden Casey, who struck powerfully from close range despite the pursuit of four Thurles defenders. 

This was their purple patch. With Jayden leading the way, ably assisted by Brian Lynch and Shane Coughlan, they went 1-9 to 1-7 up before the Tipperary side started motoring again. 

Clued in with encouraging words from their manager Eamonn Buckley and coach Patrick McCormack, who himself hurls with Thurles Sarsfields, Thurles CBS struck seven points without reply before the halftime break.

The pick of them came from Cillian Minogue and Robbie Ryan - who struck a beauty from near the sideline - and it pushed Thurles well clear. 

By the break Eamon Buckley's team were five up on a  1-14 to 1-9 scoreline. 

On resumption Youghal went for goal. Brian Lynch won the ball inside the Thurles forty and struck with power to give the Cork side hope with just seconds gone in the half, but Cillian Minogue pointed for the Cathedral town side from the puckout to ease away any sign of a strong revival. 

That left the scoreline 1-15 to 2-9 as Jayden Casey added a point for Youghal however Minogue and Ryne Bargery struck again with points. 

Jayden Casey again pointed for Youghal to leave it 1-18 for Thurles, 2-11 for Youghal before Thurles began to go through the gears and motor hard, running with ball in hand. 

Minogue struck two, one with a sweet sidestep and strike near the sideline, then David Costigan and Robbie Ryan from a free edged Thurles 1-21 to 2-11 clear. 

Jayden Casey struck twice for Youghal but Thurles brought on fresh legs and in general play they were starting to dominate.

Another brace from Minogue and Costigan pushed the game out of sight for the Cork outfit. Near the end Thurles hit five more unanswered points to see the game out comfortably. 

In the second half Thurles struck 0-17 to Youghal's 1-5 which, in itself, tells the story of the game. No team will like playing this new look Thurles outfit with quality score getters like the skilful former Tipperary minor Robbie Ryan as well as David Costigan and Cillian Minogue who enjoyed the wide spaces of the 4G pitch to the full. 

Pobalscoil na Trionoide worked hard throughout and boasted the talented Jayden Casey who we will hear much more about in the coming years, but they found it hard to break down a steady Thurles rearguard led by Evan Morris at full back. 

All in all, playing on the lively surface is a different sport to the Harty cup games of old where the ball often stuck in the surface and everyone was covered in mud after an attritional battle. 

This hurling is fast, skilful and favours forwards. Thurles reaped the rewards today. 

SCORERS:
Thurles CBS: David Costigan 1-6, Robbie Ryan 0-9 (0-3 from frees), Cillian Minogue 0-7, Ryne Bargery 0-3, James Doyle 0-1, Kevin Laffan 0-1, Darragh Kelly 0-1, Killian Cantwell 0-1, Keith Loughnane 0-1, Euan Murray 0-1.

Pobalscoil na Trionoide Youghal: Jayden Casey 0-7 (0-5 from frees), Brian Lynch 1-1, Shane Coughlan 0-3, Conor Galvin 0-2, Sean Meade 0-1. 

TEAMS:

Thurles CBS: Harry Loughnane (Roscrea); Sean Hayes (Moycarkey Borris), Evan Morris (Holycross Ballycahill), Stephen Dwan (Thurles Sarsfields); Arron Moore (Thurles Sarsfields), Padraig O’Dwyer (Killenaule), Darragh O’Dwyer ( Moycarkey Borris);  Ryne Bargary (Boherlahan Dualla),  James Doyle (Holycross Ballycahill); Kevin Laffan (Gortnahoe Glengoole), Robbie Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill), David Costigan (Moycarkey Borris); Darragh Kelly (Éire Óg Annacarty), Darragh Carr (Sean Treacys), Cillian Minogue (Durlas Óg )

Subs used:  Keith Loughnane (Durlas Óg) for P. O'Dwyer, Euan Murray (Durlas Óg) for S. Dwan, Killian Cantwell (Moycarkey Borris) for J Doyle, Conor Gleeson (Durlas Óg) for David Costigan, Sean Synott (Roscrea) for A. Moore. 

Pobalscoil na Trionoide Youghal: Oisin Walsh (Youghal); Marty Desmond (Youghal), Bobby Nicholson (Youghal), P ierceGeary (Killeagh); Harry McGann (Killeagh), Ronan O’Brien (Youghal), Senan O’Brien (Youghal); Fionn Hill (Youghal), Christopher Buckley (Youghal); Cian Galvin (Youghal), Jayden Casey (Youghal), Brian Lynch (Youghal); Conor Galvin (Youghal), Sean Meade (Killeagh), Shane Coughlan (Clashmore-Kinsalebeg, Waterford).

Subs: Jamie Lenane, Fionn Brennan, Diarmuid Buckey, Mick O Dochartaigh, Luke Lenane.