Harty rivals gear up for another thriller

THE third episode of this year’s Dr Harty Cup final saga takes place at McDonagh Park, Nenagh today between Thurles CBS and Ardscoil Rís and, if it’s half as good as the two previous games, then hurling fans are in for another treat.

Should there be a resolution this time, there will be a lot of tears shed by the losers after super hurling action that produced all that is best in the game.

As in the two previous matches, Thurles CBS will again be favourites, this time on the strength of the availability of Aidan McCormack. It’s been something of a rollercoaster for him. He missed the final because of suspension but when the replay was re-fixed six days later, he missed out a second time as the suspension wasn’t due to end until midnight on the sixth day.

While the draws and replays have caused endless headaches for the organising committee, all has come right for McCormack who finally gets his chance to play in a Harty Cup final, the dream of every young hurler.

His availability will strengthen the Thurles challenge further. Mike O’Brien had been doing most of the scoring for the champions in the two drawn matches, but McCormack’s availability should relieve some of the pressure on O’Brien.

Also Denis Maher appeared to have recovered from the virus he picked up before the first drawn game, and was back to his best in the closing minutes of last Saturday’s replay, scoring at one end and defending superbly at the other in the face of Ard Scoil pressure.

The Limerick school proved in both drawn games they are no flash in the pan and could so easily have taken the title with a bit more steadiness in front of goal. Denis Hannon showed last Saturday what a tremendous prospect he is, but he is going to need more help if the title is to find a resting place on Shannonside.

He rotated between centre-back and centre-forward with Shane Dowling, who also turned in a superb hour. If John Fitzgibbon could find his scoring touch from play, it would be an enormous help to Ardscoil.

Unfortunately, the Limerick school will be without wing back Cathal McInerney who received a straight red last Saturday and must serve a one-match ban. He will be a massive loss and his absence may tilt the scales in Thurles’s favour. Of course it could also act as a spur to his team-mates to go and win it for him.

Either way there is likely to be very little in at the final whistle. While Thurles get the nod to retain their title, few would begrudge Ardscoil their first title, because they have proven twice already they are more than a match for the defending champions.