Tipp stars can fire Nenagh

They might have won an All-Ireland title after Sunday’s final replay win over Dublin, but for some of the Tipperary minor side the celebrations have had to be cut short.

Due to Tipp’s involvement in the replay, any first-round Dr Harty Cup games featuring schools with county minors were postponed, so today’s Group C clash of Thurles CBS and Nenagh CBS in Templemore is a first outing for both schools.

Nenagh, beaten finalists against Coláistí na nDéise last year, beat Thurles in a quarter-final replay en route to the decider, and they can call upon eight of their starting side from 2011-12.

Included among those are Tipp stars Jack Peters and Tadhg Gallacher, while Stephen O’Brien came off the bench against Dublin and Killian Gleeson might also have been involved but for a broken hand. The Thurles team is likely to feature Ronan Maher, Conor Lanigan and Seán Ryan.

Also in Group C, Coláiste Chríost Rí, who lost to Hamilton High School two weeks ago, face Midleton CBS in Cobh.

In Group A, De La Salle of Waterford will be strong favourites against Coláistí Chiarraí in Mallow, the Kerry combination having lost heavily to St Colman’s last time out.

In the other games in that six-team group, Ardcoil Rís do battle with Castletroy College at the Gaelic Grounds, while St Colman’s meet Clonmel CBS in Mitchelstown.

Coláistí Íar Luimní, the West Limerick combination playing in their first Harty, bid to follow a good win against Abbey CBS of Tipperary Town when they play Our Lady’s, Templemore in Claughaun with Charleville CBS playing Blackwater CS in Fermoy.

Last Wednesday, holders Coláistí na nDéise, composed of Dungarvan CBS and St Augustine’s, beat Doon CBS courtesy of two Ryan Donnelly goals, with Patrick Curran also impressing, and they will look to make it two from two against St Caimin’s in Tipperary.

Doon clash with another side defeated in their first game, Gaelcholáiste Mhuire of Cork city, at Ballygiblin.