Tulla face a tough task repeating Harty heroics in a formidable field

Two Cork derby duels will highlight opening-round action while Brendan Bugler's influence could be key to St. Flannan's

GLORY DAYS: Ronan O'Connor of St Joseph's Tulla lifts the Harty Cup at the Gaelic Grounds earlier this year. Pic: Keith Wiseman

The Munster Colleges Dr Harty Cup (Senior Hurling) gets underway Wednesday with 14 schools attempting to emulate Tulla’s magnificent achievement in winning the famed trophy for the first time last year.

It may be hard for the East Clare school to repeat their heroics with 13 of last year’s panel now gone. They also find themselves in a tough Group 4 with a pair of Cork hopefuls in Midleton CBS and St Colman’s. Those two sides meet in Wednesday’s opening round of games in Watergrasshill, while there is another opening-round Cork derby in Church Road, Blackrock as CBC Cork face North Mon.