Waterford DLS will provide stern Harty Cup test for Árd Scoil Rís

COMFORTABLE winners over Cashel CC in round one of the Harty Cup, Árd Scoil Rís face an entirely difficult proposition tomorrow against DLS Waterford in round two, at Cashel.

The Limerick college were beaten in last year’s Dean Ryan Cup final by St Flannan’s and have most of that side available. They were very impressive in beating Cashel 4-9 to 1-3, in a game where Tom O’Brien was top scorer with 2-2.

Another victory would almost guarantee them a place in the knock-out stages, after Christmas, and they are quite capable of that with excellent players in Nick McCormack, Colm Quinn, Nick O’Donnell and Darragh Horan.

Unlike their opponents, who are making their championship debut, Árd Scoil Rís have the benefit of a first round tie, and it should give them the edge.

However, the Waterford side, who won the Dean Ryan Cup two years ago, make no secret of their ambitions and will battle for the two points.

In the same group, St Colman’s should have little difficulty against Cashel, in Kildorrery, although they had only a point to spare over Glanmire Community College in round one. Excellent free taking from Leo Sexton saw the Fermoy college shade that game by the narrowest of margins (1-16 to 2-12), but the Tipperary school are unlikely to offer similar resistance.

St Flannan’s, pushed all the way by Nenagh CBS in round one, can expect a similar test from Youghal College, in New Inn, where the tradition and experience of the Ennis college should prove decisive.

Midleton CBS make the journey to Ardmore to take on Waterford Colleges and could be in difficulty if team captain Paidí O’Sullivan can’t play, due of club commitments next Sunday.

The defending champions made hard work of beating Limerick Colleges in round one, and will need to improve.

Waterford making their championship debut, are picking from a number of schools, and that should give them a reasonable team.

Limerick Colleges face difficult opponents in Our Lady’s at Nenagh. If they are at full strength — they were short a few seasoned campaigners against Midleton CBS — Limerick should shade the issue.

The game of the day should be between two unbeaten sides, Rathluirc CBS and their sister school from Thurles, at Tipperary Town. Rathluirc will be hoping Ryan Clifford will play, but club duty next Sunday could prevent him. He’ll be a major loss if he fails to line out.

However, the North Cork college have a gem of a player in Jack Herlihy, who gave an exhibition at centre back, in last week’s county MHC.

There should be a lively contest in Dromcollogher, where North Mon meet St Caimins. Both lost their opening game and cannot afford another defeat. The Mon showed signs of a revival in pushing Thurles CBS all the way in round one, when Eoghan Cronin scored 3-3 of his side’s 3-7.

St Caimins, who shocked St Colman’s last week in the Dean Ryan Cup, will be hoping to build on that result, but North Mon should prevail.