Harty Cup: 'the purest form of hurling'

Munster Colleges' SHC knockout phase begins today, creating new heroes and schoolyard stories. Four legends of the fall look back at their own time playing Harty Cup - and how it shaped their adult careers

THURLES CBS' Jack Lahart celebrates after their final victory last February over St Flannans Ennis at Mallow GAA Complex in Cork. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile

At the pre-Christmas launch of the Dr Harty Cup history book, the hurlers present could hardly have attached more weight to the competition.

Ahead of Wednesday's four quarter-finals, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín said his entire hurling career is owed to the Harty. Colin Ryan asserts he was moulded by Harty hurling. For Andrew O’Shaughnessy, “It always comes back to the Harty.”