Thurles CBS qualify for knockout phase of Harty Cup after comprehensive win

TUS Corn Dr. Harty Cup - Group 6 - Round 2

Thurles CBS 2-25

Tralee CBS 2-12

Thurles CBS finally found their form in decisive fashion on Wednesday afternoon in Rathkeale, powering to a 13-point second-half victory over a spirited Tralee CBS team.

This was Tralee CBS’s first Harty Cup match, and they were placed in a challenging group, competing against two of the tournament’s giants, and despite being newcomers, Tralee held their own in the first half, thanks in large part to defensive efforts.

Up front, Andrew Kerins used his speed to put pressure on Thurles's defense. Fortunately for Thurles, frequent fouling from the Kerry school led to Thurles hitting the target with Cormac Fitzpatrick converting multiple frees, including a ‘65’ and a point from play, while Robbie Ryan added two more points.

Tralee’s breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Liam Óg O'Connor weaved along the end line to score their first-ever Harty Cup goal. O'Connor later added a free and a ‘65,’ equalizing the score at 0-5 to 1-2 at the end of the first quarter.

By the 24th minute, the teams remained deadlocked at 0-7 to 1-4, with O'Connor scoring two additional frees and Fitzpatrick and Jack Hayes keeping Thurles in the mix.

Thurles, however, gained momentum toward the end of the half, with three more Fitzpatrick points (two frees) and a skillful shot from Hayes, ending the half with Thurles CBS leading 0-11 to 1-4.

Cillian Minogue and Andrew Kerins exchanged early points in the second half, but Thurles soon took control, focusing on scoring difference, which might prove crucial in this three-team group.

Tipperary’s All-Ireland minor star Euan Murray put on an impressive display at centre-back, as Thurles stretched their lead with five unanswered points.

Tralee managed a second goal in the 40th minute, again courtesy of a sharp effort by Liam Óg O'Connor, but Minogue responded with a goal for Thurles. Although Tralee continued to battle, with points from Luke Rochford, Mikey Corridon, and an impressive sideline cut from O'Connor, Thurles finished strong, adding 1-5 to Tralee's 0-5 in the final ten minutes. Minogue sealed Thurles’s commanding win with his second goal.

Thurles are now guaranteed a knockout berth after this victory, but they will need to wait to see if they top the group with Tralee CBS and St. Flannans to play in round three to decide the final standings in the group.

Scorers: Thurles CBS: Cormac Fitzpatrick (0-10, 0-6f, 0-1’65), Cillian Minogue 2-2, Jack Hayes 0-5, Euan Murray 0-4, Robbie Ryan 0-2, David Costigan, Tiarnan Ryan 0-1 each. 

Tralee CBS: L Óg O’Connor (2-9, 0-6f, 0-2 ’65s), A Kerins, L Rochford, M Corridan all 0-1 each. 

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

Subs used: Tiarnan Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill) for Rossiter (45); Jack Cahill (Ballingarry) for J Butler (46); Dan McCahey (Loughmore Castleiney) for T Corbett (52); Tristan Kelly (Thurles Sarsfields) for Hayes (58), Leelan Donoghue (Durlas Óg) for Minogue (59).

Tralee CBS: C Harris (Tralee Parnells); B Leen (St Brendans), D Nolan (Kilmoyley), D Horgan (Ballyheigue); R Hurley (Crotta O’Neills), H Lenihan (St Brendans), D Corridon (Kilmoyley); A Kerins (Tralee Parnells), E O’Flaherty (St Brendans); R O’Halloran (Ballyheigue). A Relihan (Crotta O’Neills), J Rochford (Ballyduff); L Rochford (Ballyduff), L Óg O’Connor (St Brendans), K Best (St Brendans).

Subs used: M Corridon (Kilmoyley) for K Best ( 37), W Somers (Tralee Parnells) for R O’Halloran (42), E Costello (Tralee Parnells) for J Rochford (44), M O’Sullivan (Ballyheigue) for A Relihan (53), T O Slatara (St Brendans) for D Horgan ( 59).

Referee: John Bugler (Clare)