Dungarvan Colleges go in search of first Dr Croke Cup

Semple Stadium in Thurles is often said to be home form home for Waterford when it comes to hurling. I suppose the same could well be said for all of the other hurling counties in Ireland as the sod at the famed Mid Tipperary Town stadium is perfect for hurling resulting in some of the greatest games been played at the venue.

Down the years, Waterford has had some great days at Semple Stadium, some of which have proved to be historic.

Older readers of this blog will remember 1989 when we drew with a fancied Cork side in the Munster Semi Final and then went on to do something that few have achieved, beat the Rebels in a replay.

In 2004 we won arguably the greatest Munster Hurling Final ever played at the venue beating Cork who had beaten us at the same venue twelve months earlier. Who will never forget Ken McGrath going high into the air in the closing stages of that game and putting his hand where few would dare and came down with the ball, and then who will forget the night we won the first Munster Senior Hurling Final to be played under lights with Waterford favourite Dan Shanahan scoring a goal in extra time having come on for John Mullane.

This Saturday History could well be made at the famed venue should Dungarvan Colleges become the first side from West Waterford win the famed Dr Croke Cup for the first time.

Standing in Dungarvan College’s way is Kilkenny side – Kilkenny CBS.

The Kilkenny City side have won the competition once, back in the early 1980’s. While they have been there or there abouts ever since in the Leinster Championship they have had to play second fiddle for much of this time to their Kilkenny rivals St Kieran’s College who have won the Dr Croke Cup a record amount of times.

Last year, the finished second best Saint Kieran’s in the Leinster Championship but regrouped after the game to reach the All-Ireland Final but once again had to settle for second best, this time to Nenagh CBS. Coincidently, the two sides that contested the final twelve months ago finished as runners up in their provincial championship.

The Kilkenny side have used these losses to spur them on this year. The players that played both this year and last year have shown great hunger to go one step further at a provincial and national level than they did twelve months ago and to date it has worked.

They have come through a tough Leinster Championship which had plenty of Kilkenny interest in it.

In the quarter finals of the championship they bear Colaiste Eoin from Dublin 0-14 to 2-6 to set up a Leinster semi final against a Good Council side from New Ross who featured a number of players from across the towns main bridge. Kilkenny CBS won the game 1-14 to 0-9 which set up a Leinster Final against St Kieran’s College which they won 2-9 to 1-6.

Next up was an All-Ireland semi final against Mercy Colleges from Galway which they won 1-12 to 0-10 but to do so they had to put in a late surge as they were four points down at the break.

The Kilkenny side have a very solid look to it right up the middle. Darragh Holohan is a capable goalkeeper. In front of him Evan Cody is solid at full back, Robbie Fitzpatrick at centre back captains the team, Niall Mullins and JP Treacy in the middle of the field are solid throughout the campaign while Kevin Kenny has featured regularly playing at centre forward, while Shane Cuddihy and Paddy Cahill in the corner have proven dangerous.

For Dungarvan Colleges or Colaiste na nDeise since they first played together nearly a decade ago. They played Saint Flannan’s from Ennis in the Dr Harty Cup Final in 2004, and ever since have been there or there about until last year when they made the big break through beating Nenagh CBS in the final at Cashel.

They went on to play Kilkenny CBS in the All-Ireland semi final at Walsh Park but were beaten on the day after extra time.

Last years side included some fine players but there is a sizeable number that believe that this year’s team is even better.

Like Kilkenny CBS they have used last year as something to spur them on this year and again like Kilkenny CBS up to now it is working.

In the Dr Harty Cup they did extremely well to come out of a tough group. Wins over Doon CBS and Saint Caimin’s from Shannon were recorded before a narrow defeat to Saint Flannan’s from Ennis followed. Dungarvan CBS got back to winning ways however with a comprehensive win over Gael Choláiste Mhuire from Cork in the last round of games in the group stages of the competition.

The draw for the quarter finals pitted them against Blackwater Community School from Lismore. This was a game that could have gone either way and in the end it was the combined combination that shaded events.

The draw for the semi finals pitted Dungarvan Colleges against Thurles CBS at Fermoy. This was another game that could have ended any way but it went the way of the West Waterford side with Christy Breathnach scoring somewhat a lucky goal before the break at a time when the Thurles side were on top and beginning to look as if they could pull away.

In the final it was Tipperary opposition again. Our Lady’s from Templemore were reported to be a stronger side than Nenagh CBS in the 2012 final, but Dungarvan Colleges put in a powerful display to record another fine win.

The recent All-Ireland semi final at Carriganore was expected to be a very close affair but on the day Dungarvan CBS put in another outstanding performance exploiting a Kilkenny side that had weaknesses in the full back line and in the end were able to win with some bit to spare.

Like Kilkenny CBS, Dungarvan Colleges have areas where they are very strong. The strength of their half back line has been a cornerstone in their success to date this year. Colin Dunford and Cormac Curran in the middle of the field have been solid and hit some vital scores. Michael Harney flanked by Seamus Keating and Christy Breathnach are a physical half forward line while the all Dungarvan full forward line of Darragh Lyons, Ryan Donnelly and Patrick Curran will punish any team at this level when given even less than half a chance. Back at the other end of the field Laurence Power between the posts has done well while directly in front of him Michael Cronin, Brian Looby and Keelan Looby have also played their part.

There can be no doubting that the two best sides in the country have reached the final. Kilkenny CBS have to go into the game as the favourites. After all they lost two finals last year. Those that have played with Dungarvan Colleges last year and this year at least had their Dr Harty Cup Medals at the start of this year. The Kilkenny CBS lads involved in the last two years had they left school without a medal at this level would have felt hard done by and after winning one, they set their eyes on winning a second.

They have some fine players. They may have underestimated the strength of Dungarvan Colleges going into the semi finals. Its no secret, they were expecting an all Kilkenny All-Ireland Final to happen. But having seen then blow Saint Kieran’s away with a power display they won’t be underestimating them this time around.

There could well be some interesting battles on the field in Thurles. However the outcome of one particular battle could well decide this game. Should Dungarvan Colleges prove to be a disciplined side and should Kevin Daly get the better of Kevin Kenny, there is a very good chance that around 4-30pm or shortly after it, Tom Devine will be getting presented with the Dr Croke Cup. It won’t be easy for either side, but no doubt they will give it a go. Maybe a second attempt might be needed to decide the game.

 Paths to the final.

Kilkenny CBS

Leinster Quarter Final:           Kilkenny CBS    0-14     Colaiste Eoin (Dublin)             2-6

Leinster Semi Final                 Kilkenny CBS    1-14     Good Council (New Ross)        0-9

Leinster Final                          Kilkenny CBS    2-9       St Kieran’s (Kilkenny)              1-6

All-Ireland Semi Final             Kilkenny           1-12     Mercy Colleges (Galway)        0-10

Dungarvan Colleges

Dr Harty Cup R.1                     Dungarvan Colleges    3-12     Doon CBS (Limerick)   1-13

Dr Harty Cup R.2                     Dungarvan Colleges    3-12     St Caimin’s (Shannon) 0-11

Dr Harty Cup R.3                     Dungarvan Colleges    2-9       St Flannan’s (Ennis)     0-16

Dr Harty Cup R.4                     Dungarvan Colleges    5-18     G.C. Mhuire (Cork)      2-8

Dr Harty Cup quarter Final     Dungarvan Colleges    0-14     Blackwater C.S.           0-10

Dr Harty Cup semi final          Dungarvan Colleges    1-12     Thurles CBS                 0-12

Dr Harty Cup Final                  Dungarvan Colleges    2-21     Templemore (Tipp)     1-11

All-Ireland Semi Final             Dungarvan Colleges    5-8       St Kieran’s (Kilkenny)  1-10