The eagerly awaited 2014/2015 Dr. Harty Cup competition gets underway this week with a cracking game down for decision as defending champions Ardscoil Ris take on Blackwater Community School from Waterford.

Limerick and Waterford have dominated the Munster Inter-County Minor Hurling landscape during the last two summers with Limerick capturing back to back Minor titles (both after replays in Thurles) with Waterford providing the opposition. While Waterford were able to go on and win All-Ireland honours in 2013, Limerick fell just short a few short weeks ago, losing out to a strong Kilkenny outfit in the 2014 All-Ireland decider.

Wednesday's game will see a number of the Limerick & Waterford Minor panels of 2014 in action for their respective schools. Ardscoil Ris can call upon the services of Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh) as he enters his fourth Dr. Harty Cup campaign while other 2014 Limerick Minors available to Ardscoil Ris include Patrickswell's Aaron Gillane and Na Piarsaigh duo Peter Casey and Thomas Grimes. Add in Clare minors Paraic O Loughlin (Clonlara) and Nathan Fox (Parteen) and the strength of this Ardscoil Ris panel is formidable as they look to win the Harty Cup for the fourth time in five years. The Ardscoil Ris selection team includes Limerick hurler Niall Moran and 2013 Clare Under 21 Hurling captain Paul Flanagan in addition to Fergal Lyons & Barry Hennessy.

Blackwater Community School on the other hand may go in to this game as underdogs but can call upon the services of All-Ireland Minor Hurling medalists Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart) and Colm Roche (Shamrocks) to lead their challenge. Add in 2014 Waterford Minor Hurling panelists such as David Prendergast (Lismore), Jordan Henley (Tallow) and Aaron O'Sullivan (Cappoquin) and it's safe to say that Ardscoil Ris will not have this game all their own way. The Blackwater selectors include Alan Lawlor, Colin Perrott & Kieran Walsh.

Victory in this Group 1 opening game could be very important as there are no easy games with St Flannans, Thurles CBS and West Limerick Colleges also involved in what is arguably the toughest of the groups with only two teams qualifying for the Quarter-Finals. Noel Cosgrove of Tipperary is the referee for this game beginning at 1:30pm in Cahir this Wednesday October 1st and a good crowd is expected.

In the other Group 1 game on Wednesday, St. Flannans will play Thurles CBS in Nenagh at 1:30pm. Other Dr. Harty Cup fixtures on Wednesday include Scoil Na Trionoide Naofa Doon V St Colmans College in Cashel at 1:30pm, Gaelscoil Mhuire AG v DLS Waterford  in Ardmore  at 1:30pm, St Francis College Rochestown v Charleville CBS in Mallow at 2:00pm, Our Ladys Templemore v PS Youghal ni Clonmel at 1:30pm, Hamilton HS Bandon v Nenagh CBS in Buttevant at 1:30pm and Dungarvan CBS v High School Clonmel in Cappoquin at 1:30pm.

When - Wednesday October 1st at 1:30pm

Where - Cahir GAA Grounds

Referee - Noel Cosgrove

Next Round - Ardscoil Ris have a bye in Round 2 and their next scheduled game in the competition will be a Round 3 fixture versus Thurles CBS on November 10th. Blackwater CS will play St. Flannans in Round 2 on October 15th.

Admission Prices - Adults - €5, Students / OAP's - €3, All Media and Munster Council passes accepted.

 

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