Hurling

ROLL OF HONOUR

1 All-Ireland Colleges Senior A Hurling title (2009)

8 Harty Cups

12 Dean Ryan Cups

5 White Cups,

1 Frewen Cup

 Dr Harty Cup Champions 2015

Thurles CBS take Harty Cup title number 8

Thurles CBS (Tipperary) 2-12 St Francis College, Rochestown (Cork) 1-12

Thurles CBS finished with a flourish to claim Dr Harty Cup glory for an eighth time. Trailing by a point with 11 minutes remaining, Thurles landed four in a row down the home straight to capture the coveted silverware for the first time since 2009.

The dream dual double died for Rochestown as the Corn Uí Mhuirí finalists were foiled in their first Harty decider. Despite playing against the breeze in the second half, Rochestown still managed to rally from four points down at half-time to draw level by the 44th minute. And with eleven minutes remaining, Rochestown were a point clear when their leading scorer, Ciaran Cormack, landed a free to establish a 1-12 to 2-8 lead.But Thurles, inspired by midfielder Billy McCarthy, were strong down the home straight and the Thurles Sarsfields dynamo landed two crucial points to put the winners a point ahead again. Kevin Duggan and Michael Connors added further scores for Thurles as they came on strong just when it was needed most to settle a tie that had been level five times.Thurles lost Niall Heffernan to a second yellow card at the death but they had done enough by then.

First half goals from Kevin Duggan and McCarthy were crucial to this latest Harty success for Thurles, who led by 2-7 to 1-6 at the midway point. After Cormack scorched through for a sensational tenth minute goal for Rochestown, Duggan netted in the 16th minute before McCarthy struck on the stroke of half-time.Shane Kingston was excellent in that first half for Rochestown, collecting three points from play, but the Douglas starlet had a good goal chance saved by William Tierney with 13 minutes left, at a time when Rochestown were a point down. Robbie Long, lively throughout, could have netted for Thurles five minutes before the break but his shot drew a fine save from Andrew Cullinane, before Long followed up to point the rebound.Scorers for Thurles CBS: B McCarthy 1-2, K Duggan 1-1, N Heffernan 0-4f, R Long 0-2, P Kennedy, R Teehan & M Connors 0-1 each

Dr Harty Cup Champions 2009 and All Ireland Champions 2009

Not since the heady days, when the legendary Jimmy Doyle was a boy, had Thurles CBS tasted success in the Dr Harty Cup, but the 2008 beaten finalists landed the title for the first time since 1956 at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh in 2009. Yes, The Dr Harty Cup was back in Tipperary. The triumphant heroes Thurles CBS brought the cup back to their school, thanks to a 3-16 to 0-09 victory over St Caimin’s Community School from Shannon.
Thurles CBS beat the North Monastery from Cork in 1956 to last win this much coveted trophy, but the victory in 2009 was extra special, coming as it did after such a long wait.

With the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half, Thurles CBS led by an amazing 2-11 to 0-02 at the half-time break thanks to goals by Michael O’Brien and David Butler. St Caimins added 7 more points to their tally in the second-half but couldn’t catch an inspired Thurles. Victory was sealed with a late goal by Aidan McCormack from Thurles CBS.

With the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half, Thurles CBS led by an amazing 2-11 to 0-02 at the half-time break thanks to goals by Michael O’Brien and David Butler. St Caimins added 7 more points to their tally in the second-half but couldn’t catch an inspired Thurles. Victory was sealed with a late goal by Aidan McCormack from Thurles CBS.

Many of the players from the 1956 team, including their team captain, Tommy Gleeson, were present to witness their beloved school win back the Harty Cup. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly and GAA patron, was on hand to present the coveted cup at full-time to CBS team Captain James Barry. For all at Thurles CBS, it was an emotional day, not to mention a historic day for Thurles town.

Other successes for 2015 include ......

DID YOU KNOW?
Newspaper reports of the time suggest that at least one of our past pupils, Michael Cantwell, was present in Hayes Hotel at the foundation meeting to form the GAA on November 1st 1884.

Semple Stadium is named in honour of Tom Semple who attended the school.

In the 2009 All-Star team, three were selected who had played with the school in recent years – PJ Ryan, Padraic Maher and Lar Corbett.

Dr Thomas Morris DD, the late Archbishop of Cashel and Emly and former patron of the GAA, spent his formative years in CBS Thurles.

Billy Quinn who played Harty Cup in the early 50s, is father of Niall Quinn (Dublin Hurler and International Soccer player).

Jimmy Doyle, a past pupil and Harty Cup winner in 1956, was selected on the An Post Team of the Millennium.  

In between their Harty Cup victories in 1956 and 2009, Thurles CBS lost 6 finals, most recently in 2005 and 2008. They also lost semi-finals in 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2007. That’s a lot of heartache!