Everything you need to know about Limerick’s Harty Cup schools ahead of the first round on October 16
Throw in for the Dr Harty Cup is almost upon us – and no doubt it will be a thrilling campaign, as it is every year.
There are four Limerick schools in the competition, John The Baptist CS, Hospital and Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa, Doon who reside in Group 1, while Ardscoil Rís join Castletroy College in Group 2.
So, here’s everything you need to know about the four Limerick schools involved.
John The Baptist CS, Hospital
Management: Paul Browne, Ger Downes, Darragh Droog, Noel Frawley, Michael Martin, Joe O’Connor.
Captain: Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane).
Group: Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa Doon, Rice College Ennis (Clare), and Christian Brothers College (Cork).
Last year: Topped the group, defeated Templemore in the prelim quarter-final and despite being heavy underdogs, put up a huge fight against Ardscoil Rís, eventually losing by four in their quarter-final.
Three key players: Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane), Diarmaid Hurley (Hospital Herbertstown), Declan Heavey (Garryspillane).
Flanagan is coming in off the back of a great season with the Limerick U20s playing at half-forward, and after doing so well for John The Baptist last year, he will be key once more this season. Hurley hit 14 points from play in their four games last year, and went on to play for the Limerick minor hurlers. Heavey was a Limerick minor last season and is going to be a top defender for the school in 2024/25.
Verdict: Last year was their first time back playing Harty since 2019, but there’s no doubt they impressed on return. With eight players retained from last year, many of them crucial scorers, progression from the group stage is certainly on the cards once more and they’ll be hoping to go a step further than the quarter-final.
Squad: Jack Barry, Tadhg Browne, Darragh Clifford, Eoin Clifford, Matthew Cox, Michael Hanly, Rory Hanly, Sean Nolan, Adam O’Neill, John Pratt, Scott Ryan, Joe Teefy (all Ballybricken Bohermore),
Adam Gleeson, Kevin Hennessy, Sean Hennessy, Christian Higgins, Diarmuid Hurley, Griffin McCaffrey, Cian McNamara, Rian McNamara, Shane O’Dea, William Ryan (all Hospital Herbertstown),
Hugh Flanagan (c), Declan Heavey, Ciaran Hyland, Jamie O’Shea, Cormac Ryan, James Ryan, Tiernan Ryan, James Walsh (all Garryspillane),
Conor Clancy, Charlie Cronin, Paudie Hennessy, Garrett Murnane, Conor Shanahan (all Bruff),
Jamie Boland, Evan Martin, Sam McElligott, Padraig McCarthy (all Caherline),
Niall McNamara, Mark Looby, Conor O’Dwyer (all Pallasgreen),
Aidan Carroll, Shane Treacy (both Coshlea Gaels/Staker Wallace),
Ronan O’Brien, Sean O’Connell (both Knockainey),
Ben Mortell (St Patricks).
Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa, Doon
Management: Diarmuid McCarthy, Jack Cummins.
Captain: Sean McDonnell (Doon).
Group: Rice College Ennis (Clare) and Christian Brothers College (Cork), John The Baptist CS Hospital.
Last year: Finished winless at bottom of the group, though that doesn’t tell the story. Were winning against CBC right up until the end before letting it slip against the side who proved to capable of fighting back from behind over and over. Drew with Rice College and only lost to Midleton CBS by one point.
Three key players: Tommy Costello (Cappawhite), Michael Ryan (Doon), Eamon Richardson (Doon).
Playing as a corner-back last year, Costello will likely hold a more central role this season, while Michael Ryan will look to feature as a starter instead of the prominent bench role he occupied during the group stages last year. Richardson is another quality hurler among their ranks, who had plenty of game time with the Limerick minor hurlers this year.
Verdict: Given that Doon have reached the Limerick SHC decider this year, it may have a positive effect on the school, especially with the plethora of Doon club players in the side. They’ll certainly find it tough to get out of the group though, with CBC, Rice College and John The Baptist all well capable of beating them to the knockout phase.
Squad: Darragh Coughlan, Denis Blackmore, Diarmuid Crowe, Eamon Richardson, Fionn Roche, George Maher, Hugh Maher, Michael Ryan, Micheál Ryan, Padraig Crowe, Pakie Richardson, Robbie McGrath, Sean Hanley, Sean McDonnell (c), Sean Ryan, James Stapleton, Conor Kenny (all Doon),
Conor Gantley, James Barry, Michael English, Sean Hayes, Tommy Costello, Brian Berkery, Ross Creedon (all Cappawhite),
Alex Heney, Ben Ryan, Chris Smith, Eamon Ryan, Jake Slattery, Michael Berkery (all Cappamore),
Daire Long, Noah Murphy Ryan, Cathal O’Shaughnessy (all Pallasgreen),
Nathan Quinn (Eire Og Annacarty),
Hugh Corcoran (Lattin).
Ardscoil Rís
Management: Niall Crowe, Fergal Lyons, Cian O’Brien, Alan Neville, David Foley.
Joint-captains: Sean Morrissey (Dromin-Athlacca), Marc O’Brien (Cratloe).
Group: Our Ladys, Templemore (Tipperary), Castletroy College and Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig (Cork).
Last year: Beaten finalists last season, losing out to Nenagh CBS with a last minute goal. Another impressive campaign overall but the five-time Harty champions suffered a second final defeat in three seasons. Ardscoil Rís are retaining five or six from last year’s team, which saw them top their group with three convincing wins. Overcame John the Baptist CS Hospital in the quarter-final and Thurles CBS in the semi before falling short in the decider.
Three key players: Darragh Gleeson (Adare), Sean Arthur (Newmarket-on-Fergus), Michael Collins (Clonlara).
Gleeson started centre and wing-back for Adare during their Limerick SHC campaign, while Sean Arthur is another player returning after last season. The forward will be one to watch. Clonlara’s Collins impressed for the Clare U20’s this year, as the forward scored 3-2 in their Munster round robin phase. A serious goal threat and will be crucial to Ardscoil this season.
Verdict: The aim for Ardscoil Rís is always the same, win the Dr Harty Cup. In the shake up most years – but have been dealt a couple of crucial injuries this year. Marc O’Brien (Cratloe) and James Coughlan (Ballybrown) will be out until at least the end of the calendar year. This group did win the Dean Ryan Cup two years ago, and will be favourites to top the group. Last time they won the competition was in 2018.
Squad: Adam Fitzsimons, Darragh Jordan, David O’Keefe, Eoin Brosnan, Michael Duggan, Ronan Benson, Sean Harrington, Shane Waters (all Na Piarsaigh),
Cillian Murphy, Cuan Mac Giolla Cearra, Darragh Whyte, Jack O’Halloran and Zach Dillon (all Sixmilebridge),
Conor Ryan, Darragh Glesson, Patrick Kearney (all Adare),
Conor Ryan, Jack Cosgrove, John O’Connor (all Ahane),
Ian O’Brien, Marc O’Brien (jc), Sam Mulholland (all Cratloe)
Eoin Begley, Jack Hickey, Michael Collins (all Clonlara),
John O’Keefe, Sean Fitzgerald, William Ryan (all Murroe-Boher),
Oisin O’Byrne, Sam Collins (both Crecora Manister),
James Coughlan (Ballybrown),
Paidi O’Gorman (Bruree),
David Larkin (Clooney-Quin),
Sean Morrissey (jc) (Dromin Athlacca),
Sean Arthur (Newmarket On-Fergus),
Malachy McKenna (Pallasgreen),
Eoin Hennessy (Patrickswell).
Castletroy College
Management: Muiris Gilbourne, Liam Reale, Tom Nolan, Sean Herbert.
Captain: Cian Scully (Monaleen).
Group: Ardscoil Rís, Our Ladys, Templemore (Tipperary) and Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig (Cork).
Last year: Made it out of the group last season – their first back playing at the top grade in several years, but suffered a tough defeat to St Flannan’s College Ennis in the prelim quarter-final. It was a positive return, and the school will have six returning players from 2023/24; Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Marcus Southern (Monaleen), Denis Blackwell (Ahane), James Rennison (Ahane), Eoin Murrihy (Ahane).
Three key players: Matthew Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Cian Scully (Monaleen).
Limerick U20 hurlers Fitzgerald and O’Farrell impressed in the SHC this year, with Fitzgerald scoring 3-32 (0-25 frees) across six games for Monaleen while O’Farrell tallied 1-9 (0-1 free) in five for Kildimo Pallaskenry. The pair played at wing-forward for their clubs. Castletroy captain Cian Scully also impressed with the Limerick minors in 2023 at half-back.
Verdict: Primary objective for the school is to be as competitive as possible in all games, giving themselves a fighting chance to come out of the group. Anything after that would be a bonus for Castletroy, who place huge value in the fact they are a community school with two main feeder clubs. Being able to play in a competition like the Dr Harty Cup and the stature associated with it is a great privilege, and with some of the exciting prospects Castletroy have in their ranks – it could be an exciting season. Will find it hard to get out of a group though, with Our Ladys, Templemore and Ard Scoil Rís favourites to emerge.
Squad: Conor Bowles, Darragh Brown, Cillian Clifford, Owen Clifford, Louis Ferland, Matthew Fitzgerald, Conor Gavin, Barry Griffin, Sean Hurley, Harry McDermott, Evan Meehan, Daniel Nash, Fergal O’Duinn, John O’Halloran, Ryan O’Keefe, Conor Ryan, Cian Scully, Peter Scully, Marcus Southern (all Monaleen)
David Bermingham, Timothy Blackwell, Nathan Carey, Anton Donohoe, Cathal O’Mara, Denis Blackwell, Shane Gill, Shane Hourigan, Dara Moloughney, Eoin Murrihy, Andrew O’Connor, Cathal O’Mara, Tom Quigley, James Rennison (all Ahane),
Robert O’Farrell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry).
