PREVIEW | Ardscoil Rís and Our Lady’s Templemore do battle for Harty Cup semi-final berth

The Limerick school are looking to reach the semi-finals of the competition for the 12th time since 2008.

Ardscoil Rís take on Our Lady’s Templemore this Wednesday afternoon in the quarter-final of the Dr Harty Cup in the 4G pitch in UL at 1.30pm. The change in venue was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon with Nenagh originally set to host the clash.

The North Ciurcular Road school are the defending All-Ireland champions but are seeking a first provincial title since 2018.

After losing the decider to first-time winners St Josephs Tulla last year, Ardscoil will be keen to return to the same stage after claiming a maiden Croke Cup success on St Patricks Day.

The victory came at the fourth time of asking with St Kierans College coming out on top in 2010, ’11 and ’16 before Ardscoil Rís finally got the upperhand last March.

A number of that squad remain in situ as they came through the group stages of this year’s competition with a pair of wins. However, it was far from straightforward for the Limerick school who left it very late against Cashel in the opening round, with Shane Gleeson’s last-minute effort proving the difference.

They then came through a tight encounter with St Flannans in the second group game, edging a 0-12 to 0-10 contest. In the quarters they face Our Lady’s Templemore who kicked off their campaign with an impressive 1-29 to 1-14 win over Youghal. Thurles CBS proved too strong in the second round but Templemore secured their passage to the knockout stages with a 3-15 to 2-13 win over Rochestown in the final round.

The prize for the winner will be a semi-final berth against one of Cashel CS or CBC who also meet on the same day in their respective quarter-final.

These sides last met in the Harty Cup in the opening round of the 2019/20 competition where the Tipperrary outfit secured a 4-20 to 3-17 win against an Ardscoil Rís side containing future All-Ireland winners Cathal O’Neill and Colin Coughlan.

However, in their only ever final meeting, Ardscoil Rís, who had Peter Casey and Nathan Fox as joint-captains, picked up a 0-11 to 0-8 win to claim the 2016 title. That was their fourth success since their maiden triumph in 2010.

Our Lady’s Templemore responded in style the following year as they claimed a first title since 1978 and just their second ever. On both occasions, they went on to win All-Ireland honours.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Kilmallock hosts the meeting of CBC and Cashel, Midleton meet De La Salle while Thurles CBS take on St Colmans in Bansha.

Harty Cup Quarter-Final Fixtures

All Wednesday, January 11 at 1.30pm

CBC Cork v Cashel CS in Kilmallock

Ardscoil Rís v Our Lady’s Templemore in 4G pitch in UL (*venue change)

Midleton CBS v De La Salle Waterford in Fethard 4G pitch

Thurles CBS v St Comans Fermoy in Bansha