Thurles CBS defeated Coláiste Bhaile Chláir by 0-21 to 0-17 in the 2024/2025 Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Croke Cup Hurling Semi-Final on Saturday March 1st at St. Rynagh’s GAA, Banagher.
Thurles CBS survive nervy shooting to make it to first Croke Cup Final in 10 years https://t.co/grUOvVQJzM
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) March 1, 2025
Thurles CBS survive nervy shooting to make it to first Croke Cup Final in 10 years
Report by John O’Shea courtesy of the Irish Examiner newspaper
Masita PPS Croke Cup Semi Final: Thurles CBS (Tipperary) 0-21 Colaiste Bhaile Chlair (Galway) 0-17
Thurles CBS, Harty Cup champions, are safely through to the final of the Post Primary School’s Croke Cup for the first time since 2015, following their four-point victory over Coláiste Bhaile Chláir in the semi final at Banagher on Saturday afternoon.
This was a game where the Tipperary side struggled on occasions, especially in the rucks, against a more physical Galway side. But overall were good value for this victory.
Were it not for some wayward shooting from their attack, the final margin could have been greater. They hit a total of 19 wides, 13 during the opening half, on a day with little or no wind of any consequence.
Thurles were quickly off the blocks and their opening attack yielded a 65 which Cormac Fitzpatrick converted to get the scoreboard moving. This advantage was doubled by the fourth minute when Jack Hayers put over the first of his three points. Gearoid King split the posts to open the Connacht runners-up account on eight minutes before Hayes and Fitzpatrick, from a free, pushed the advantage out to three for the Tipperary side, by the tenth minute.
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir came more into the game with King and Ben Morley getting the better of the midfield battle. They hit six of the next eight points, to go one up with five minutes of normal play remaining in the half. Eoin Collins and Ryne Bargary traded minors, before Jack Kelly and Gearoid King found the target either side of a point from Tiarnán Ryan.
They followed up with three without reply, from Collins (2) and Cormac Feeney before Robbie Ryan brought the sides level for the second time with his opening score. Cillian Minogue’s effort was cancelled out by Dylan Casserly before Toby Corbet landed a big score from the half way line. Ronan Duggan had the final say of a below par opening half when he landed the equaliser on thirty one minutes, to tie the game at 0.9 each.
After the restart Eoin Collins eased the Galway side ahead from a placed ball, before CBS hit a run of four unanswered points between the second and 11th minute. Jack Hayes got in behind the defence for the opening goal chance but his shot was just over with Mark Walsh well beaten.
Robbie Ryan, Cormac Fitzpatrick and Ryne Bargary all found the range from open play to go three up by the 41st minute. Collins hit his fifth and sixth of the game from placed balls but again Thurles replied through Fitzpatrick who hit three on the bounce, one from open play.
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir came back strongly during the final seven minutes but were unable to get through for the goal that was needed to cause an upset. Thurles held firm and go through through to the final where they meet Connacht champions, Presentation College Athenry, who were goal-hungry as they roared past St Kieran’s of Kilkenny on a scoreline of 4-13 to 2-11.
Thurles CBS: H. Loughnane (Roscrea), T. Corbett (0.1, Upperchurch Drombane), E. Morris (Holycross Ballycahill), J. Lahart (Holycross Ballycahill), K. Cantwell (Moycarkey Borris), K. Loughnane (Thurles Sarsfields), R. Bargary (0-2, Boherlahan Dualla), E, Murray (0-1, Dúrlas Óg), K. Rossiter (0-1, Dúrlas Óg), T. Ryan (0-2, Holycross Ballycahill), D. Costigan (Moycarkey Borris), C. Fitzpatrick (0-7, 3f,65, Drom & Inch), J. Hayes (0-3, Moycarkey Borris), C. Minogue (0-1, Dúrlas Óg), R. Ryan (0-3, Captain, Holycross Ballycahill).
Subs used: James Butler (Sean Treacys) for C. Minogue (50), L Donoghue for K. Rossiter (58).
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir: M.Walsh (0-1f, Carnmore), C. Gillespie (Carnmore), D.Hughes (Turloughmore), B. Fox (Carnmore), M. Collins (Turloughmore), S.Moran (Castlegar), D. Casserly (0-1, Carnmore), G. King (0-2, Castlegar), B. Morley (Carnmore), J.Kelly (0-1, Turloughmore), E. Collins (0-8, 6f, Carnmore), R.Duggan (0-1, Turloughmore), C. Feeney (0.2, Carnmore), P. O’Kane (Turloughmore), D. Fitzmaurice (0-1, Turloughmore).
Subs used: D. O’Connell (Carnmore) for C. Gillespir (inj 20), C. Fahy (Carnmore) for B. Fox (HT), S. O’Callaghan (Turloughmore) for P. O’Kane (41), E. Flaherty (Carnmore) for J. Kelly (53), C. Collins (Carnmore) for R. Duggan (57).
Referee: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford).
Ticket Information
Broadcast Details
This game will be streamed live on TG4 Sport YouTube.
More News
2024/2025 TUS Corn Reamainn Ui hOgain (Under 15 B Hurling) Final – Tralee CBS 4-11 John the Baptist Community School 0-12
Tralee CBS defeated John the Baptist Community School by 4-11 to 0-12 in the 2024/2025 TUS Corn Reamainn Ui hOgain (Under 15 B Hurling) Final on Thursday March 27th at The Bog Garden, Rathkeale.
2024/2025 Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Croke Cup Hurling Final – Thurles CBS 0-24 Presentation Athenry 2-17
Thurles CBS defeated Presentation College Athenry by 0-24 to 2-17 in the 2024/2025 Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Croke Cup Hurling Final on Monday March 17th at Croke Park.
2024/2025 Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Michael Cusack Cup (Senior C Hurling) Final – SMI Newcastle West (Limerick) 2-13 Boyne CS, Trim (Meath) 1-11
SMI Newcastle West (Limerick) defeated Boyne CS, Trim (Meath) by 2-13 to 1-11 in the 2024/2025 Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Michael Cusack Cup (Senior C Hurling) Final on Friday March 14th at Banagher.