They have lived in the shadow of their city rivals St Kieran’s for long enough.

It was a baptism of fire for Waterford last Saturday week in the opening round of the 2012 Allianz Hurling League, a near three-goal defeat by Cork (3-17 to 0-18) in Cork.

St Declan’s made it a memorable year for Waterford schools hurling with victory in the Munster SCHC decider in Tipperary on Saturday.

For only the fourth time in the history of the competition, the Dr Harty Cup resides in Waterford after Dungarvan combination Coláiste na nDéise swept to glory in sparkling fashion at Cashel.

Shattered Dungarvan CBS players must rouse themselves quickly for Sunday’s Dr Harty Cup final after a number of them suffered a heartbreaking defeat in Saturday’s Munster Schools SBHC decider.

Coláiste na nDéise cruised into the Dr Harty Cup final with victory in the all-Waterford affair which started bizarrely at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Saturday.

DESPITE playing the entire game with 14 men, Coláiste na nDéise still managed to keep their noses ahead of hurling bluebloods St Flannan’s and claim the spoils in this Harty Cup quarter-final in Tipperary town.

THE last three Dr Harty Cup quarter-finalists will be determined today with crunch games in Ardmore, Clonmel, Tipperary Town and Cahir.