Harty Cup: Quick start and strong finish sees Thurles CBS overcome De La Salle to reach final

Thurles will meet St Flannan’s College, Ennis in the decider - the sides already shared the spoils in the group stage so this showdown will be eagerly anticipated on Saturday week.

Colm Hartley, De La Salle College, Cillian Minogue, Thurles CBS. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Harty Cup: Thurles CBS 0-28 De La Salle College Waterford 3-12

A quick start and a strong finish by Thurles CBS secured their place in the TUS Dr Harty Cup final in Castlelyons on Wednesday.

They’ll meet St Flannan’s College, Ennis in the decider - the sides already shared the spoils in the group stage so this showdown will be eagerly anticipated on Saturday week.

The Tipperary school contested the final two years ago but were beaten by fellow county team Cashel CS, this time they will look to bridge a 10-year gap since their last title.

Seven points from play by Cillian Minogue was one of the highlights over the hour. Thurles CBS built on a fast start and turned 0-15 to 1-7 ahead.

De La Salle College took control from the resumption when they struck 1-2 in five minutes - centre-back Conor Power’s brilliant surge ended with setting up his twin Shane, who rattled the net. Mark Hartley drew them level for the first time in the 35th minute.

Thurles CBS had more options in attack, and they also had number two Toby Corbett roaming up field to pop over a point.

They pushed on and took the lead once again, 0-21 to 2-11 with the final 10 minutes left to play. Corbett had a great opportunity to add a goal but his shot was wide of the post.

At the other end, when Mark Hartley availed of a stray clearance, he banged home a third goal for De La Salle and the deficit was trimmed to one in the 52nd minute.

It appeared to be game on.

Philip Power, De La Salle College, battles near the sideline with James Butler, Thurles CBS.P icture: Jim Coughlan.

Not so for Thurles CBS, who reeled off the final seven points to one for De La Salle to see off the Waterford challenge. There were three for Minogue while sub Tiarnán Ryan also found the range.

Both teams started out with an extra man in defence, but it seemed to hurt De La Salle more with one forward less where Keith Loughnane was on top.

They struggled to find their feet early on. They fell 0-9 to 0-1 behind in the opening quarter as Thurles CBS found scores much easier to come by. Captain Robbie Ryan’s speed in the corner caused them problems, he scored four fantastic points in the first half.

Conor Tobin’s major in the 22nd minute - which originated from a long delivery by sweeper Colm Hartley - threw De La Salle a lifeline, three minutes earlier Tobin had a shot at goal blocked by Jack Lahart.

Despite being wayward, De La Salle were threatening a lot more now. Rory Jacob made it a two-point match (1-6 to 0-11) with five minutes to go to the interval.

In those closing minutes, Thurles CBS reeled off unanswered points from Minogue, full-back Evan Morris and David Costigan (2).

De La Salle were then presented with another chance to close the gap when Tobin was fouled and they were awarded a penalty but Colm Hartley’s effort in stoppage time went over the bar - this proved to be a big let off for Thurles CBS as the teams headed to the dressing-room.

Scorers for Thurles CBS: C Minogue (0-7), D Costigan, C Fitzpatrick (0-3 frees, 0-1 65) and R Ryan (0-4 each), E Morris, R Bargary and K Rossiter (0-2 each), T Corbett, E Murray and T Ryan (0-1 each).

Scorers for De La Salle College: M Hartley (1-5, 0-3 frees), S Power (1-2), C Tobin (1-0), A Regan (0-2), C Hartley (pen), R Jacob and O Fives (0-1 each).

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

Subs: T Ryan (Holycross Ballycahill) J Butler (37), L Donoghue (Thurles Sarsfields) for J Hayes (57), D Hickey (Emeralds) for R Bargary (62).

DE LA SALLE COLLEGE: R Nolan (Ballygunner); P Power (Ballygunner), F Cooney (Ballygunner, J-Capt), A Dawson (Ballygunner); C O’Sullivan (Ballygunner), C Power (De La Salle), J Power (Ballygunner); R Jacob (Passage), O Fives (Ballygunner); A Regan (Mount Sion, J-Capt), C Tobin Ballygunner), S Power (De La Salle); C Hartley (Ballygunner), M Hartley (Ballygunner), R Doherty (Mooncoin).

Subs: E Burke (Roanmore) for R Doherty (45), J Shanahan (Erin’s Own) for C Tobin (52 inj).

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork).