Harty Cup: Thurles power clear in second half against debutants Tralee 

All-Ireland winning Tipperary minor star Euan Murray gave an exhibition at centre-back for Thurles. 

Tralee CBS captain Hugh Lenihan and Thurles CBS captain Robbie Ryan alongside referee John Bugler before a Harty Cup clash in Rathkeale. Picture: Adrienne McLoughlin

Dr Harty Cup Group 6 Round 2: Thurles CBS 2-25 Tralee CBS 2-12

A late Thurles CBS turnaround salvaged a share of the spoils against St Flannan's in an entertaining Harty Cup opener at Cappamore last time out, but despite a gutsy opening half from newbies Tralee CBS, the Tipperary side powered to a thirteen point win in the second half at Rathkeale on Wednesday afternoon.

Not alone were Tralee CBS making their Harty Cup bow, they were doing so in what looks something of a group of death with heavyweights St Flannan’s Ennis, and Thurles CBS – thirty titles between them, twenty two for Ennis, eight for Thurles.

Tralee joint manger and Kerry senior hurler Dáithí Griffin explained why the Green decided to try and mix it with the elite.

“Last year we competed at senior B and got to the quarter-final and we only lost one player [since then]," he said.

"The whole idea was we think we’re in a strong position, we’ve a good panel and with those two cohorts together now we said we’d have a go at it. But today was tough for the lads but they deserved a shot at it and they will learn a lot going forward."

Tralee CBS were competitive in the opening half thanks to the defensive play of Daire Nolan, Hugh Lenihan and Darragh Corridon while Andrew Kerins was using his pace to cause the Thurles defense problems. But Tralee were guilty of conceding soft frees and Tipperary U20 sharpshooter Cormac Fitzpatrick punished them, with a couple of frees, one from a sixty five, and one from play while Robbie Ryan fired over two points from play.

Tralee scored their first Harty Cup goal in 13th minute when Liam Óg O’Connor cut in along the end line and scored a brilliant goal. The same player converted a free and fired over a sixty five to level the contest at the end of the first quarter at 0-5 to 1-2.

The sides were still on level terms on the 24th minute 0-7 to 1-4 with O’Connor converting two more frees while Fitzpatrick and Jack Hayes adding points for Thurles CBS. The Tipperary side finished the half the stronger with three more Fitzpatrick points (two frees) and a fine effort from Jack Hayes to see Thurles CBS retire 0-11 to 1-4 in front at half-time.

Cillian Minogue and Andrew Kerins exchanged early second half points but that was as good as it got for Tralee as Thurles kicked on, realising that in the three team group, scoring difference could well determine who tops the table.

All-Ireland winning Tipperary minor star Euan Murray gave an exhibition at centre-back as Thurles scored five unanswered points.

The Green struck for a second goal in the 40th minute and again it was a well taken by Liam Óg O’Connor but Cillian Minogue replied in kind for Thurles.

Tralee, to their credit, never threw in the towel with points from Luke Rochford, Mikey Corridon and O’Connor from the sideline but Thurles never let up in the final ten minutes adding 1-5 to Tralee's 0-5 with Cillian Minogue getting his second goal.

It was a rough baptism for the Green but as manager Mark Ryall said post match, “I am delighted with the boys as we asked them to give it 150% and they did. We knew we were up against it but the boys were in the game for forty minutes before Thurles CBS drove on and our lads ran out of steam” 

Scorers for Thurles CBS: C Fitzpatrick (0-10, 6fs, 1’65), C Minogue (2-2), J Hayes (0-5), E Murray (0-4), R Ryan (0-2), D Costigan and T Ryan (0-1each) 

Scorers for Tralee CBS: L Óg O’Connor (2-9, 6fs, 2 ’65’s), A Kerins, L Rochford and M Corridan (0-1 each) 

THURLES CBS: H Loughnane (Roscrea); T Corbett (Upperchurch-Drombane), E Morris (Holycross-Ballycahill), J Lahart (Holycross-Ballycahill); K Cantwell (Moycarkey-Borris), E Murray (Dúrlas Óg), K Loughnane (Thurles Sarsfields); R Bargary (Boherlahan-Dualla) K Rossiter (Dúrlas Óg); J Butler (Seán Treacys), D Costigan (Moycarkey-Borris), C Fitzpatrick (Drom-Inch); C Fitzpatrick (Drom-Inch), J Hayes (Moycarkey-Borris), R Ryan (Holycross-Ballycahill, capt), C Minogue (Dúrlas Óg).

Subs: T Ryan (Holycross- Ballycahill) for K Rossiter ( 45), J Cahill ( Ballingarry) for J Butler ( 46), D McCahey ( Loughmore-Castleiney) for T Corbett ( 52), T Kelly ( Thurles Sarsfields) for J Hayes ( 58), L Donoghue ((Dúrlas Óg) for C Minogue ( 59) 

TRALEE CBS: C Harris (Tralee Parnells); B Leen (St Brendans), D Nolan (Kilmoyley), D Horgan (Ballyheigue); R Hurley (Crotta O’Neills), H Lenihan (St Brendans), D Corridon (Kilmoyley); A Kerins (Tralee Parnells), E O’Flaherty (St Brendans); R O’Halloran (Ballyheigue). A Relihan (Crotta O’Neills), J Rochford (Ballyduff); L Rochford (Ballyduff), L Óg O’Connor (St Brendans), K Best (St Brendans).

Subs: M Corridon ( Kilmoyley) for K Best ( 37), W Somers ( TraleeParnells) for R O’Halloran ( 42), E Costello ( Tralee Parnells) for J Rochford ( 44), M O’Sullivan ( Ballyheigue) for A Relihan ( 53), T O Slatara ( St Brendans) for D Horgan ( 59) 

Referee: J Bugler (Clare)