THE LAST EIGHT draw for this season’s Dr Harty Cup competition in Munster took place this evening with the last two beaten finalists set to face off.
Ardscoil Rís, who lost last spring’s decider to Nenagh CBS, will meet Thurles CBS, defeated in the 2023 final against Cashel CS.
Tipperary outfit Cashel CS will play Cork’s Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, who won a preliminary quarter-final in thrilling fashion last week against Blackwater CS.
De La Salle Waterford, who knocked out title holders Nenagh last week, will play CBC Cork.
The remaining quarter-final tie will see Midleton CBS face St Flannan’s of Ennis.
The games will take place on Wednesday 8 January with Cashel Community School, Midleton CBS, Ardscoil Rís, and CBC Cork the four teams entering that stage as group winners.
Dr Harty Cup Quarter-Finals
- Midleton CBS v St Flannan’s (Ennis)
- Cashel CS v Gaelcholaiste Mhuire AG
- Ardscoil Rís v Thurles CBS
- CBC Cork v De La Salle (Waterford)
Great win, terrible game, poor ref. Roll on next weekend
@Liam23: ah twasnt terrible Liam, lots of errors but twas a good watch imho
@Liam23: I watched the Toulouse and the Bordeaux games that day too and I thought the Munster game was by far the best of the 3. Good win too.
Great result. Munster need to hold onto Dian Bleuler, he made a huge difference in an error strewn game. Diarmuid Barron, Hodnett and Tom Ahern need to be starting next week. They are needed to built up a scoreline before the bench comes on. I gather Nankivell will miss next week with his hamstring injury?
@Con Cussed: Bleuler looks like the most solid scrummaging loosehead in Irish rugby. We absolutely need to hold on to him.
@Michael Corkery: What does it take a gofundme or something?
@Con Cussed: IRFU permission I guess.
@Con Cussed: 1000% – backrow should be Ahern , Hodnet and Coombes
No reason to fear Northampton next week. They’re at a similar level to Saracens and ourselves. We made loads of unforced errors (especially our back 3) against Sarries and still won with our defense. If we get the error count down, we can make it a tight game next week. None of EP sides would finish in the top6 in T14.
@Michael Corkery: Be really great to take some revenge, classic Munster win away in the Champions Cup… Need to calm down before I get ahead of myself tho ;)
@Thesaltyurchin: In any case, we’re not playing Toulouse or UBB next week. No need to go there already beaten like last season.
Very frustrating to watch all those handling errors which seem to spread like an epidemic once they start but a great and much needed win for Munster nonetheless. Thought Crowley played well despite a couple of kicking errors….Beirne the heartbeat of the team, was everywhere and fully deserved MOTM….hopefully they can build on this moving forward.
As an aside, Costelloe doing a good job but think this dragging the heels on appointing head coach this far into season cannot have a settling or positive effect on the team. Also think it’s a bit disrespectful to Prendergast to keep him hanging if they don’t intend giving him the top job…
@Dolores Scully: Totally agree. Thought Tom Farrell was immense too between himself and Beirne it was very close. Beirne & Farrell saved the day so many times, unbelievable effort from the guys. It must be doubtful that Prendergast is getting the gig at this stage. Also, I’m not sure the selection for this game was correct. They need a strong team to build a head of steam before bringing the bench on. Ahern was badly missed in the first half.
@Con Cussed: the 2 that were picked ahead of Ahern – Wycherley and ÔDonoghue had good games. The thinking is that Ahern can wreak more havoc coming on when the defense’s are tired I believe. Our bench overall had a great impact which is important in tight games.
@Michael Corkery: Agreed, I was critical of the Wycherly selection but he proved me wrong. That was his best game in a long time. Very physical throughout and commanded the line out brilliantly. He deserves to go again next week with POM coming back in for JOD. I like the impact Ahern and Hodnett bring off the bench together.
Beirne shows why he is one of Ireland’s best again. His range of skills is so wide for a lock which is his USP. He is a fixed item on any timeshheet he is involved with. One of the world’s best and a down to earth guy to boot. Last night wasn’t pretty but with reinforcement through players re-emerging from injury they (Munster) will be harder to beat later in year than the late 24 version.
Great performance , Munster rolled back the years in that second half and their pack stood up to Sarries at crucial times . Hopefully they can replicate it again next week
How important is Hodnett to the team. He is the dog when O’ Mahony is missing.