Harty Final beckons

Wednesday, 25th January 2012

On Wednesday last the quarter finals of the famous Dr Harty Cup, the senior hurling competition for colleges hurling saw two outstanding performances from Waterford teams. Former All-Ireland champions De La Salle traveled to Cappoquin and came away with a very facile win over Middleton CBS on a 2-12 to 0-7 scoreline. The Waterford outfit have a very useful pedigree over the past five or six years in the competition and have more than once this year proved they are quite capable of making a bold show. Darragh Flynn was the scorer-in-chief for the Waterford outfit with a personal tally of twelve points, however a goal from Tom Mullally within the opening ten minutes gave the college outfit a real impetus. The De La Salle corner forward was first to react to a save from Middleton keeper Conor Swayne who blocked away a superb Mark O'Brien effort. However at the end of the day it was the placed ball accuracy of Darragh Flynn which punished the Cork outfit on every occasion. The second goal for De La Salle from in the dying minutes just emphasised the power and class of De La Salle.

The second Waterford college into Harty quarter final fray faced a much stiffer task as Colaiste na nDeise set about dismantling honour laden St Flannan's of Ennis. The Clare outfit had been very impressive throughout the competition and many regarded them as perhaps one of the fancies. Undaunted Colaiste Na nDeise had prepared well and quietly faniced their chances of creating somewhat of a surprise. The West Waterford outfit were dealt a huge blow before the throw-in as midfielder Kieran Power was shown a straight red and would leave the Deise outfit playing with fourteen for the entire match. Undaunted and with a huge determination and a certain Cathal Curran who was unerring with frees all afternoon. Indeed the Dungarvan young lad collected a personal tally of ten points throughout the hour and with centre forward Michael Harney chipping in with a goal and a point the foundations were well and truly laid.

Two colleges in the semi-final of the Harty Cup but such a pity that the draw dictated they would now meet at this stage of the competition. However it will at least guarantee one Waterford team in the final. On the other side of the draw holders, Ard Scoil Ris of Limerick came through their quarter final with a hugely impressive 2-15 to 1-7 win while a fancied Thurles CBS team had to rely on the additional ten minutes time to eek out a draw against Nenagh CBS 1-13 to 0-16. There was a serious injury to Nenagh full back Niall Gleeson which saw the young full back stretchered off and delayed the game for ten minutes. As the clock ticked past the hour mark Nenagh led 0-16 to 0-11 but Thurles had the reserves to add 1-2 without reply and gain a second chance. Whatever way the semi-finals pan out here's hoping a Waterford team will be collecting the Harty Cup in a few weeks time. Our underage coaching is most definitely working. Well done to all.

TRAINING

Both Waterford senior hurlers and footballers are in serious training as they prepare for an assault on their respective league campaigns. Although beaten in their opening encounter of the McGrath Cup the footballers under the guidance of manager John Owens have upped the ante and with their opening round of the Allianz League on Sunday 5th February away in Cusack Park Ennis against Clare the management are taking no chances with fitness. The senior hurlers meanwhile face into the Waterford Crystal Cup on Sunday week as they play UCC in the quarter final in Carriganore. With that in mind and the Allianz National Hurling league due to commence with an away fixture against Cork on February 25th, two challenge matches were played last weekend. A 0-23 to 1-20 draw against WIT on Saturday was followed by an clinical win over Laoise on Sunday. Signs are pretty good with a number of newcomers showing up well. More anon.