LIMERICK secondary schools have high expectations for the upcoming Under-19 Hurling competitions.
In the historic Harty Cup, Ardscoil Rís will hope to add another honour to their five previous titles.
The North Circular Road-based outfit secured most of their titles in a period of great dominance from 2010 to 2018.
Several members of these victorious panels went on to have stellar inter-county careers with Limerick. Cian Lynch, Declan Hannon and Shane Dowling were among those to make the step up for the Treaty County.
This year’s group kick start their campaign in Group 2 on Wednesday, October 14. Their first opponent will be Gaelcholaiste Mhuire an Mhainistir Thuaigh, a hot bed of hurling in the north of Cork City.
Ardscoil Rís will face tough opposition in their following group games, as Nenagh CBS and Middleton CBS stand in their way.
In Group 3, John the Baptist Community School leads the Limerick challenge. The school based in Hospital in east county Limerick face formidable opposition and familiar names in Harty Cup history. Christian Brothers College Cork, St. Flannan’s College Ennis and Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore will prove to be tough competition for a knock-out stage place .
Group 4 also has local interest with Castletroy College facing Colaiste Cholmain, Fermoy in Round 1.
In the second tier, Scoil na Trioniode from Doon, Hazelwood College from Dromcollogher will face each other in Group 1 of the Corn Thomais Mhic Choilm Cup.
Limerick-based schools Scoil na mBraithre Rathluirc, Scoil Pol Kilfinane and Scoil Mhuire and Ide in Newcastle West complete the Limerick schools looking for success in the second tier of Munster schools hurling.
In Under-19 C hurling, Salesian Secondary College Pallaskenry and Colaiste Iosoef Kilmallock provide the Limerick interest as they face off against opposition from Waterford and Tipperary in the group stages.
Limerick has several representatives in the D grade that span across both the city and county. St Munchin’s College, Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh and Mungret Community College spearhead the city challenge. Limerick County will be represented by Colaiste Ide agus Iosef Abbeyfeale, Colaiste Chiarain Croom and Colaiste na Trocaire Rathkeale.
Action across all four grades throws-in on Wednesday October 14, with the hopes of Limerick hurling being well represented across the grades.