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Thurles CBS end long wait in style

MUNSTER SCHOOLS A HURLING FINAL Thurles CBS 3-15 St Caimin’s, Shannon 0-9: THE FAMINE is over for Thurles CBS after the Tipperary…

Mon Mar 09 2009 - 00:00

MUNSTER SCHOOLS A HURLING FINAL Thurles CBS 3-15 St Caimin's, Shannon 0-9:THE FAMINE is over for Thurles CBS after the Tipperary school captured the Dr Harty Cup in Nenagh yesterday, with the first-time finalists from Shannon on the receiving end of a 15-point defeat.

Not since the days when the legendary Jimmy Doyle was a boy have Thurles tasted success in this competition, but last year’s beaten finalists landed the title for the first time since 1956 at McDonagh Park.

Since that last success 53 years ago, Thurles lost six finals, most recently in 2005 and 2008, but they made no mistake yesterday.

Thurles also lost semi-finals in 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2007 but the heartbreak turned to joy as captain James Barry lifted the cup amid delirious scenes.

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A slick first-half performance provided the platform for victory against outclassed Clare side St Caimin’s, who elected to play against a driving wind in the first half after winning the toss.

St Caimin’s attempted to keep it tight in defence with an extra man deployed around the half-back line but Thurles made full use of the wind to establish a 2-11 to 0-2 lead.

In the first half, nine different players scored for Thurles, including all six starting forwards, with 2-10 registered from play.

St Caimin’s were held to just two first-half frees from Pa Sheahan, who finished with eight points, and after first-half sunshine gave way to driving sleet and hail, Thurles dug in for the win. Kieran Morris provided extra cover in defence and although St Caimin’s scored the opening three points of the second half, a 15-point half-time lead for Thurles proved unassailable.

In the final minute, Aidan McCormack put real gloss on the final scoreline with a third goal for the newly-crowned champions.

THURLES CBS:P Ryan; S Harty, R O'Shea, M Doyle; P Molloy (0-1), D Maher (0-1), J Meagher; M Russell, M Bracken (0-1); K Morris (0-4, two frees), J O'Neill (0-3), A McCormack (1-1); M O'Brien (1-0), D Butler (1-1), D Fogarty (0-2). Subs:P Greene (0-1) for O'Brien (inj, 44 mins), P Looby for Bracken (51 mins), J Barry for Fogarty (57 mins).

ST CAIMIN'S:T Griffin; E McInerney, N Purcell, C McCaul; E Boyce, K Lynch, S O'Connor; N Frawley, D Liddy; P Sheahan (0-8, six frees), S Hynan, J Guilfoyle; P Collins, T Crowe, A Mulready. Subs:D O'Connor (0-1) for McInerney (21 mins), J Conroy for Guilfoyle (50 mins), D Keogh for Frawley (54 mins).

Referee:D Kirwan (Cork).