Thurles survive late Blackwater barrage

THURLES CBS survived a late rally by Blackwater Community School at Clonmel yesterday to book their place in the knockout stages of the Harty Cup after Christmas.

It was a result that didn’t look likely as they found themselves two points adrift at half-time after playing with the wind, but they drew on all their experience in the second half to see off the challenge of the Lismore school who didn’t have the know-how to win the game.

Blackwater went 26 minutes before scoring in the second half and were still in the hunt when Paudie Prendergast lined up a 20-metre free. He was told by the referee he had to score direct which would have been enough to reach the last eight on scoring average but his effort was blocked and the chance was gone.