Dr Harty Cup 2025-26: team-by-team guide, including the ones to watch, for Munster schools SHC

Everything you need to know before the famous competition throws in on Wednesday afternoon.

 

GROUP 1 

Ardscoil Rís 

Management: Niall Crowe, Fergal Lyons, Michael Gavin, James Ryan, Dave Foley, Michael Collins.

Captain: Eoin Brosnan (Na Piarsaigh) and Conor Ryan (Ahane) share the role.

Last year: Unbeaten and utterly dominant in the group phase. Their quarter-final exit was the reverse of such. Utterly outplayed by eventual champions Thurles who struck 2-10 without reply in the second quarter for a 15-point interval lead. The final difference was eight, 2-25 to 0-23.

Three key players: Eoin Brosnan wore the No 5 shirt on the evening of Limerick’s Munster U20 opener earlier this year. His Ardscoil classmate and Ahane clubman Jack Cosgrove wore the same No 5 shirt for their subsequent three Munster outings. Sixmilebridge’s Jack O'Halloran and Ian O'Brien of Cratloe were at corner-back and corner-forward respectively on the Clare minor team to reach the All-Ireland final at the end of June.

Prospects: Survivor count from last year’s campaign is strong. Of the 20 students that featured in the quarter-final loss, eight from the starting line-up and all five subs used are still around. Simply have to bank an opening day win to take with them into Rounds Two and Three against the 2024 champions and '25 runners-up. Likelihood is they’ll also need to topple Nenagh or Flannan’s to advance. Pulling from the Dean Ryan Cup winning team of 2022/23, the Limerick City school possesses the pedigree to achieve the necessary two wins. It is 2019 since last Ardscoil Rís failed to reach the quarter-finals.

Cashel Community School 

Management: Anthony Roche, Robbie Costigan, Paddy Carroll. 

Captain: Noah O’Flynn (Fethard). 

Last year: Unbeaten when topping their four-team group. A clear second best when falling to North Mon by 0-18 to 0-10 at the quarter-final juncture.

Three key players: The aforementioned O’Flynn is a dual exponent, serving at corner-back on the Tipp minor football team last year. Briain O’Donoghue of Cashel King Cormacs was their top-scorer in last year’s campaign, posting 1-17 (1-14 from the placed-ball) across four games. Senan Mackey (Knockavilla Kickhams) and Shane Cooney (Clerihan) were half-back and midfield starters on this year’s Tipp minor hurling team.

Prospects: With over half of last year’s starting team departed, Cashel will find it difficult to source points in what is unquestionably the strongest and most loaded of the four groups.

Nenagh CBS 

Management: Donach O’Donnell (manager), Jack Peters, Paul Butler, Mark Gennery, Darragh McCarthy.

Captain: Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall). 

Last year: Don’t be misled by their unsuccessful title defence showing only one win. Drawn in a three-team group, they shared opening day spoils with fellow contender Midleton CBS. Score difference cost them top spot in the group, catapulting them into a preliminary quarter-final against De La Salle. The Waterford school, who would subsequently travel all the way to the semis, bettered them by three points.

Three key players: Eoghan Doughan clipped three points from play, from corner-forward, on the famous afternoon of their first Harty Cup success in February 2024. Top-scorer for Tipp in last year’s All-Ireland minor final win, Eoghan was part of this year’s All-Ireland winning U20 panel. Toomevara’s Austin Duff, a fellow 2024 minor winner, came off the bench in last year's Harty’s decider and contributed 1-1. Dara O’Dwyer of Kiladangan is another who’ll be at the forefront this autumn and winter.

Prospects: Opening game against St Flannan’s is a repeat of the 2023 Dean Ryan decider, which Nenagh edged 2-15 to 0-18. The school’s maiden Munster U17 crown was subsequently overshadowed by the maiden Harty crown achieved a few months later, but the former’s relevance rises to the surface for this latest Harty effort. Ten starters from the history-making Dean Ryan team will drive the Nenagh bus over the coming weeks. Do they represent Tipperary's best chance at holding onto the Harty silverware for a fourth successive year?

St Flannan’s College, Ennis 

Management: Mike Kelly, Seán Minogue, Brendan Bugler, Shane McCarthy Captain: TBC Last year: Drew with Thurles CBS on the opening day but couldn’t again match the Tipperary school when they reacquainted on the final afternoon. Managed only three points from play when suffering Flannans' 19th Harty final defeat on a 1-13 to 0-13 scoreline.

HARRY'S GAME: Harry Doherty in full swing with St Flannan's. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile

Three key players: Harry Doherty (pictured) headed last season’s Harty Cup scoring charts. The 2023 All-Ireland minor winner notched 3-57 (1-46 from the dead-ball) across six games. Clooney-Quin’s Seán McNamara, corner-back on the 2024 minor team of the year, will be at the centre of Flannans' defensive effort. Keep an eye out also for Darragh Ball of St Joseph’s Doora Barefield. With Ronan Kilroy and Conor Ralph from last year’s half-forward line moved on, Ball should shoot into greater prominence.

Prospects: Seven of the team that began February’s final continue to walk the corridors of the Ennis institution. All seven - Micheál Ó Coileáin, Seán McNamara, James Cullinan, Dara Kennedy, Darragh Ball, Harry Doherty, and Graham Ball - also started the 2023 Dean Ryan Cup final defeat to Wednesday’s opponents Nenagh, and so exacting revenge will be a motivating source. Same as Nenagh, whoever comes off second best in Limerick will be under pressure to win their remaining two games in order to advance.

Eoghan Cormican 

GROUP 2 

De La Salle, Waterford 

Management: Dermot Dooley (Ballyduff Lower), Kevin Moran (De La Salle), Stephen O Neill (Mount Sion).

Joint captains: Ollie Fives (Ballygunner), Shane Power (De La Salle).

Last year: De La Salle finished on top of Group 5 ahead of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG and St Colman’s College. They had three points to spare over Nenagh CBS in the preliminary quarter-final before beating CBC Cork by 2-24 to 2-15 in the quarter-final. That earned them a game with Thurles CBS in the final four, but the eventual champions had too much for them on the day.

POWER UP: Waterford's Jack Power will aim to make an ipact once momre with De La Salle. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Key players: Jack Power (Ballygunner), Jamie Shanahan (Erin’s Own), Shane Power (De La Salle). 

All three players played key roles in Waterford’s All-Ireland success during the summer with all of them operating in the forward line. Shane Power clipped 0-3 in the All-Ireland final from wing forward, Shanahan did the same in the semi-final while Jack Power anchored the attack effectively at centre-forward.

Prospects: Like all schools in the competition, De La Salle will be taking it game by game and won’t look beyond High School Clonmel in the first round. They will be competitive and will hope to make it to the knockout stages. If they can do that, they will fancy themselves to go deep.

St Colman’s College, Fermoy 

Management: Cathal McGuckin (Glen Rovers), Keith O'Leary (Castlelyons), Niall O'Leary (Castlelyons), Sarah Kenny (Kilworth), S&C - Shane Moroney (Castlelyons).

Captain: Billy Ryan (Watergrasshill). 

Vice-captains: Cormac Barry (Bride Rovers), Jack Counihan (Watergrasshill). 

Last year: They exited at the group stage after being drawn with Gaelcholaiste Mhuire AG and De La Salle, losing both games.

Three key players: Denis Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), Jack Counihan (Watergrasshill), Ruairc Donovan (Fermoy). 

All three players played their part in Cork’s victorious Munster minor campaign. Fitzgearld manned the square effectively all summer, Counihan is an all-action midfielder while Donovan is an excellent option from puckouts.

Prospects: After not making it out of the group last season, Colman’s will be wary of the strengths of De La Salle and Midleton who have set the standard in this competition in the last few years. They have put in a good block of training, with a strong panel, and are ready for the games ahead. Much will depend on how they fare against Midleton on Wednesday.

CBS High School Clonmel 

Management: Paddy O'Gorman (Cahir), Ciarán Barrett (Clonmel Óg), Mark Cooney (De La Salle). 

Captain: Paddy Spelman (Fourmilewater) and Aaron Cagney (St Marys). 

Last year: Munster B Senior Hurling champions. 

Three key players: Paddy Spelman (Fourmilewater), Aaron Cagney (St Marys), Mikey McGuire (Kilsheelan/ Kilcash). 

Cagney was part of the 2024 Tipperary All-Ireland minor winning panel and will lead their attack from centre forward. Spelman is a tidy wing back who played senior hurling for his club this summer while McGuire is a mobile wing forward who was a part of the Tipperary U20 football panel this year.

Prospects: Last year was a superb year for the Clonmel school and this year is all about building on what they have achieved in hurling over the last few years. Their aim is to continue on the upward trajectory in relation to competing at a high level in school's hurling. An opening test against De La Salle will show them where they are at.

Midleton CBS 

Management: Joint anagers - Brain O’Callaghan (Fr O'Neill’s), Iain Cooney (Midleton). 

Coaches - James Mulcahy (Glen Rovers), Jason Barrett (Carrigtwohill). 

Joint captains: Cian Stack (Midleton), Thomas A Walsh (Carrigtwohill).

Last year: Lost out at the quarter final stage as a late surge from St Flannan’s saw them lose out by a point.

Three key players: Colm Garde (Lisgoold), Cormac Deane (Killeagh), Cian Stack (Midleton) All three players have experience from last year’s campaign. Garde and Deane were standout players for the Cork minors in 2025 while Stack has a keen eye for goal.

Prospects: Midleton won the Dean Ryan competition last season, and this year will be about building on that victory. As ever, they have plenty of talent but the way they went out last season will temper any expectations. As a result, it’s very much a case of one game at a time.

John Coleman 

GROUP 3 

Thurles CBS 

Management: Niall Cahill, Pa Dunne, Stephen Maher, Luke Jordan (S&C).

Captain: Euan Murray (Durlas Óg, pictured) 

SKIPPER: Euan Murray, in the blue and gold of Tipperary, will lead Thurles CBS. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Last year: Champions – for the first time in a decade. Finished level with final opponents St Flannan’s in their group having drawn with the Clare school in their initial meeting. The two would meet again in a decider that - thanks to a Jack Hayes goal - Thurles CBS ended up on the right side of.

Three key players: Euan Murray (Durlas Óg), Tiernán Ryan (Holycross-Ballycahill), Ryan Bargary (Boherlahan-Dualla), Cillian Minogue (Thurles Sarsfields).

Prospects: Will certainly be aiming to top the group. Five starters remain part of the setup from last year’s All-Ireland involvement, plus a number of prominent subs.

Jack Cahill – son of Liam – missed the majority of last year but is fit for the year ahead. The likes of Ryan Bargary and Euan Murray will again be key. The last time Thurles CBS went back-to-back was 1950 and 1951. Can they do it once more?

John The Baptist CS, Hospital 

Management: Ger Downes, Michael Martin, Patrick Stack, Paul Browne.

Joint Captains: Adam Gleeson (Hospital Herbertstown) and Diarmaid Hurley (Hospital Herbertstown).

Last year: Having come through their group behind Christian Brothers College – thanks to an impressive win over Rice College and a draw with Limerick neighbours Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa, Doon – they fell to eventual finalists St Flannan’s in the preliminary quarter-final by four points.

Three key players: Diarmaid Hurley (Hospital Herbertstown), Rory Hanly (Ballybricken Bohermore), Michael Hanly (Ballybricken Bohermore).

Prospects: Nine players who started last year's preliminary quarter-final against Flannan's are no longer part of the setup. They start their campaign against champions Thurles CBS but will fancy another crack off the all-Limerick clash with Scoil Na Tríonóide.

The above-mentioned Diarmaid Hurley, who was joint captain of the Limerick minor hurlers in 2024 and an under-20 representative, and the county minor Hanlys – Rory and Michael – will be crucial to their chances of playing Harty post-Christmas and beyond.

Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa, Doon 

Management: Brian O’Grady (manager), Jack Cummins (coach), Eoin O’Mahony (coach/selector).

Captain: Darragh Coughlan (Doon).

Last year: Failed to get out of the group, after pushing Ardscoil Rís all the way in a quarter-final the year previous. They only mined a single point last year – against John the Baptist CS, Hospital – but only lost narrowly against Rice College.

Three key players: Darragh Coughlan (Doon), Eamon Richardson (Doon), Diarmuid Crowe (Doon).

Prospects: Will be eager to get points on the board early when they open their campaign against Blackwater CS. Again, with the expectation that Thurles CBS will top the group, the other three teams will believe they are good enough to take that second spot and book their post-Christmas ticket. Six starters remain from last year and the side will be backboned by the Doon hurlers, who recently won the premier minor final in Limerick.

Blackwater CS, Lismore 

Management: Fintan O’Connor, Eoin McGrath, Jamie Kearney.

Captain: Darragh O’Brien (Ballysaggart).

Last year: Scored seven goals on their way to maximum points from their opening two fixtures in 2024 - against St Joseph's SS and CBS Charleville. Fell short against eventual group winners Cashel CS but secured a preliminary quarter-final spot.

SCHOOL TIES: North Mon selector Seán Óg Ó hAilpín. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

That stage would mark the end of their 2024 involvement, however, as Seán Óg Ó hAilpín’s North Mon staged a late comeback in normal time and pipped the Waterford school after extra time.

Three key players: Billy Murphy (Tallow), Ben Cummins (Lismore), Joe McDonnell (Tallow).

Prospects: A number of their leading contingent remain from last year, as well as some of the successful Waterford minor panel. The aforementioned quartet of O'Brien, Murphy, Cummins and McDonnell will be crucial - as they were last term.

Will want to build on a promising first year back in the competition, but need to take their chance early on in the group and build from there. The 2024 experience will stand to them.

Shane Donovan 

GROUP 4 

Christian Brothers College 

Management: Traolach Martin, Tony Wall, Darragh O’Callaghan.

Joint Captains: David Kingston (Mallow) and Jack Hegarty (Ballinora).

Last year: Lost the quarter-final to De la Salle, Waterford by nine points. They left themselves with too much to do after trailing by seven at half time. While they made a fight of it, they eventually had to give way. It was disappointing, especially as they topped the group beating Rice College Ennis, Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa Doon and John the Baptist CS Hospital.

Three key players: Michael Tadhg Brosnan (Glen Rovers), Eoghan O'Shea (Ballinhassig) and Jack Hegarty (Ballinora) backbone the squad and are all experienced county minors. So too, Cian Lawton (Midleton) and Michael Quill (Blackrock) who were also on the Cork minor panel this season.

Prospects: CBC will look to get points on the board early, their first outing is against Our Lady’s Templemore. They won’t want to leave it until the AG tie, which is sure to be a thrilling affair and a big crowd puller on Leeside. They have yet to visit the Holy Grail, having lost two finals in 2019 and 2020.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, An Mhainistir Thuaidh 

Management: Tomás Ó Mainnín (manager), Éanna Ó Deasúnaigh (coach), Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (coach), Tadhg Ó Murchú, Tadhg Ó Lordáin, Daire Ó Conaire.

Captain: Luke Hurley (Na Piarsaigh). 

Vice-Captains: Sean Daly (St Vincents) and Gavin O'Callaghan (Glen Rovers) 

Last year: Went on a memorable Harty run. Reached the semi-final which was an impressive feat for the mixed Gaelcholáiste School. As well, the AG won the O'Callaghan Cup (U19A Hurling) in Cork, while they also reached the Dean Ryan (U17A Hurling) Munster final. The AG will look to build on a hugely successful 2024/25.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Craig O'Sullivan, in full flow with Cork, is a key cog for Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Three key players: Craig O'Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), Josh Brosnan (Glen Rovers), Callum Coffey (Na Piarsaigh). Craig O'Sullivan and Callum Coffey starred for the Cork minors in attack this summer, with O'Sullivan finishing top-scorer in last year’s Harty Cup. Josh Brosnan was a stand out player at centre back for the AG in last year’s competition.

Prospects: The AG hope to keep building on recent progress. All focus will be on coming out of the group, featuring recent winners in St Joseph’s Tulla and Our Lady’s SS Templemore, while CBC also have a strong squad. The AG have been playing together for six years and appear to be improving year on year.

Our Lady’s Templemore 

Management: Tom O'Donoghue, Peter O Rourke, Gavin Ryan.

Joint Captains: Sean Walsh (JK Brackens), Mark Conroy (Drom & Inch).

Last Year: The team successfully advanced from the group stages with wins over Castletroy College and Tralee CBS. They progressed to the knockout rounds, reaching a preliminary quarter-final where they faced eventual All-Ireland champions Thurles CBS in a hard-fought encounter.

Three Key Players: Jack Marnell (JK Brackens), Mark Conroy (Drom & Inch), Seán Walsh (JK Brackens).

Conroy has gained a lot of experience this year lining out for the Drom & Inch senior club team and has established himself as a key figure in their defence. Similarly, Seán Walsh is a standout defender for JK Brackens along with Marnell, who is leading the line in attack. Their county underage nous should stand to them too.

POLISH IT UP... The TUS Dr Harty Cup trophy will be on the line again this season. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile

Prospects: They came up against a very strong Thurles CBS in the preliminary quarter-final last December. They exited at the same juncture the previous year, albeit after a high-scoring thriller with John the Baptist CS. There is a desire to go further. The school is always hoping and striving to reach the heights of previous teams.

St Joseph's, Tulla 

Management: Tomás Kelly, Aidan Harte, Terence Fahy.

Captain: Michael Vaughan (Broadford).

Last Year: St Joseph's were in an even group with Blackwater CS, Charleville CBS and Cashel CS. They drew with Cashel CS, but came up short by a couple of points in both the Charleville CBS and the Blackwater CS outings. With a lot of survivors from that campaign, it should stand to them this year.

Three Key Players: St Joseph’s have a number of players from the 2024 Clare minor panel to call upon. Jerry O’Connor, Ryan Hayes, Matthew Corbett, Liam Murphy and Michael Vaughan were all on the squad that reached the Munster final and the All-Ireland semi final. All five featured throughout that campaign.

Prospects: There are nine survivors from last year's team so good experience has been gained. Results have been sporadic since the thrilling success of 2022 but there is belief in the capacity of this year's team. The senior players bring a wealth of experience and many are entering their third Harty Cup campaign, and one his fourth.

Therese O’Callaghan