Dr Harty Cup goes round robin

NEXT year's Irish Examiner Dr Harty Cup will be played on a round robin basis following a decision made at the recent Munster Colleges AGM.

This will be the first time this famous colleges hurling cup will be played in such a fashion and will mean a far earlier start for teams than previously.

Three new schools, Youghal CBS, Doon CBS and Abbey CBS, are taking part. The championship has been divided into four groups with the top two in each qualifying for the quarter-finals which will be made on an open draw basis. They will be played in late January 2003.

Servicing Office Tom Collum, who is charged with organising the dates and venues, is hoping that the weather in the autumn and early winter will be kind enough to allow the programme of games to be played.

“With dual schools involved and also schools depending on players eligible for the Dean Ryan and Frewen Cups, the slightest disruption to the fixture programme will cause chaos,” he said.

The decision to opt for a round robin in hurling will cause major problems for clubs who will still be involved in the latter stages of domestic championships, with players in particular being completely overworked. It’s bound to cause friction between club and school.

Champions St Colman’s have been grouped with De La Salle (Waterford), Farranferris, Youghal CBS and Colaiste na Deise and will play DLS in their opening game. Defeated finalists Our Lady’s (Templemore) are in with Midleton CBS, Colaiste an Phiarsaigh and Doon CBS and will play their sister school Midleton in the first round.ï

Fixtures : Group A: St Colman’s v De La Salle; Farranferris v Youghal CBS. Colaiste na Deise a bye.

Group B: Our Lady’s v Midleton CBS; Colaiste an Phiarsaigh v Doon CBS.

Group C: Cashel CBS v Abbey CBS; Scarriff CS v North Mon.

Group D: St Flannan’s v Limerick CBS; Colaiste Chriost Rí v Thurles CBS.

All games on September 25.

SCHOOLS agreed to continue with a round robin for the Irish Examiner Corn Uí Mhuirí (SF) championship for the coming season. Teams have been broke up into four groups of three.

Douglas Community School have entered for the first time, in Group B, where they will play St Brendan’s in their opening game. Champions Colaiste na Sceilge will play Colaistí Luimní in the first round while beaten finalists Chriost Rí will play St Fachtna’s.

The top two in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals for which there will be an open draw. The opening games are down for decision on October 9 with the quarter-finals pencilled in for February 5 2003.

Fixtures: Group A: Colaiste na Sceilge v Colaistí Luimní; Dingle CBS a bye.

Group B: St Brendan’s v Douglas CS; St Colman’s a bye.

Group C: Colaiste Chriost Rí v St Finbarr’s; St Flannan’s a bye.

Group D: Colaiste Choilm v Intermediate School Killorglin; Tralee CBS a bye.