Waterford Colleges meet Doon

Champions Waterford Colleges open the defence of their Dr Harty Cup title against Doon CBS.

Twenty one schools went into the hat — an increase of five. The competition welcomes back a team from the North Monastery in Cork after a lengthy absence.

However, Gael Coláiste Mhuire (the Irish section of the school) couldn’t have drawn a tougher opponent in St. Flannan’s, a game that will rekindle memories of some epic clashes.

Nenagh CBS, who failed to Waterford Colleges in the final but went on to win the All-Ireland title, have been paired against Midleton CBS.

There are four groups with the top two qualifying for the knockout stages. The opening rounds will be played on September 19.

Fourteen schools entered the draw for the Corn Uí Mhuirí with champions Pobal Scoil Chorca Dhuibhne paired against West Limerick colleges in round one. Beaten finalists DLS Macroom made it an all Cork pairing, drawing Rochestown College in the opening round.

As in former years there will be four sections, the top two schools in each making it to the knock out stages. The opening round will commence on October 10.

HARTY CUP DRAWS

Group A: DLS Waterford v Castletroy College; Árd Scoil Rís v Clonmel CBS; St. Colmans v Kerry Colleges.

Group B: Blackwater College v Our Ladys Templemore; West Limerick Colleges v Abbey CBS; Charleville CBS a bye.

Group C: Nenagh CBS v Midleton CBS; Coláiste Chriost Rí v Hamilton High School; Thurles CBS a bye.

Group D: Waterford Colleges v Doon CBS; Gael Colaiste Mhuire v St. Flannans; St. Caimins a bye.

CORN UÍ MHUIRÍ

Group A: Rochestown College v DLS Macroom; ISK v West Clare Schools;

Group B: Pobal Scoil Chorcha Dhuibhne v West Limerick Schools; Clonmel CBS v North Clare Schools.

Group C: St. Fachtnas v Tralee CBS; St. Brendans a bye.

Group D: Colaiste na Sceilge v St. Flannan’s; Colaiste Chriost Rí a bye.