Limerick get Harty boost as schools allowed amalgamate

NEXT year’s Dr Harty Cup will have one new entrant following the decision at the Munster Colleges AGM to allow a number of schools in Limerick city to amalgamate.

The St. Munchins motion sought to allow themselves, Ard Scoil Rís, St. Clements, St. Nessans, Crescent College and Limerick CBS join forces, and was successfully passed.

Munchins and Limerick CBS are the only schools to have won the Harty Cup.

The former won back to back titles in 1921/22 while the CBS last won the Harty in 1993 but they have fallen on lean times and are currently playing in the “B” grade without much success it has to be said.

Hurling in the city has been in decline in recent years with only one senior club now operating, Na Piarsaigh, and it is hoped that by allowing the city colleges to join together, it may help to lift the profile of the game.

Another of the once mighty Harty schools, the North Mon, were also given permission to amalgamate with the Gael Cholaiste Mhuire which should strengthen them considerably.

Amalgamations have already proved successful in the Harty Cup with the Waterford Colleges reaching the 2004 final. They will again compete in next year’s championship as an amalgamated team with players from Blackwater Community School, Dungarvan CBS and St. Augustines.

In football Limerick Colleges reached the knock out stages of the 2005/6 Corn Ui Mhuirí before going under to St. Fachtnas. Limerick will again take part in next season’s championship.

Colaiste an Chroí Naofa (Carrignavar) successfully got their motion.

They sought to have the Corn Phadraigh (“B” SHC) played on a league basis initially, but it’s likely to pose problems with organising the games as there are only so many days available in the school year.