Blackwater CS ready for Déise derby battle

TWO cracking Harty Cup games down for decision this afternoon with an all-Waterford tie taking place at Fraher Field, Dungarvan between DLS Waterford and Blackwater CS while at Mourneabbey, Coláiste Chríost Rí take on Charleville CBS in an all-Cork clash.

Blackwater have been making massive strides since they entered this championship four years ago, and school principal Denis Ring makes no secret of his desire to see his side bask in the glories of his former school St. Colman’s, where he won four Harty Cup titles.

In their opening round, Blackwater failed to St Flannan’s by two points after a titanic struggle, but if they play with the same passion, could prevent the Waterford city school from advancing any further.

DLS put back to back titles together in 2007-8 but have struggled since then.

Their defence gave away far too many frees that day and they were severely punished. It’s the one area they will have to rectify if they are to have any chance, but in Darragh Flynn and Chris Kervick they have two players capable of winning the game for them.

In the other game, Paul Fitzgerald is a massive loss to Críost Rí which is going to make victory in this game far more difficult than it already was. He picked up a shoulder injury recently in a football challenge game and will be out of action for a couple of weeks.

They looked to be on a hiding to nothing early in their opening game against St. Caimin’s but recovered well to eventually lose by just five points.

With the losers of this game exiting the championship, expect the Capwell school to make a bold bid to stay in it, but they will need Eoin Finn, Graham Joyce and team captain Tomas Lawrence firing on all cylinders.

Charleville lost their opener by three points to Our Lady’s after looking likely winners coming up to the final whistle. Their challenge will be spearheaded by Timmy Rea, Dylan McCarthy, Pat O’Callaghan and Mark Kavanagh and they should shade the issue after a close contest.

Fixtures: DLS Waterford v Blackwater CS. Fraher Field, Dungarvan. Coláiste Chríost Rí v Charleville CBS, Mourne Abbey. Both games have a 2.30pm throw-in.