Sport

Ardscoil Rís success helping to set a trend

COLLEGES HURLING FINAL: AFTER TWO seasons of considerable discontent, it seems the fortunes of Limerick hurling might be changing…

IAN O'RIORDAN Reports
Thu Mar 31 2011 - 01:00

COLLEGES HURLING FINAL:AFTER TWO seasons of considerable discontent, it seems the fortunes of Limerick hurling might be changing.

Not only has Donal O’Grady steadied the senior hurling ship after the very public mutiny, but victory over Kerry on Sunday would effectively secure the likely showdown with Clare for promotion back to Division One.

Limerick have already beaten Clare in the first round, and as the only unbeaten team in Division Two, are gaining significant momentum that can only serve them well going into their Munster championship semi-final date with on Waterford on June 12th.

In the meantime, there’s the story of Ardscoil Rís. The Limerick city school is still predominantly known for its rugby ethos, and indeed famous past pupils such as Paul O’Connell, but on Saturday in Thurles they take on St Kieran’s College of Kilkenny in the AllIreland Senior A final.

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It’s actually a repeat of last year’s final; same venue, same opposition – and on that occasion St Kieran’s came out on top, 2-11 to 2-8. In fact, Ardscoil have never won the title, with the last Limerick school to be successful in the competition being Limerick CBS back in 1966.

What makes Ardscoil’s progress to a second successive final all the more significant is that the school is straddling the top grades of both schools’ hurling and rugby – a rare feat these days, particularly if rugby is being played at the highest grade.

Just last week, Ardscoil contested the Munster Schools’ Junior Cup in rugby, unfortunately losing out on the day to defending champions Crescent Comprehensive.

As in any school sport, however, success comes down to the input and commitment of the school mentors, and the senior hurling progress in Ardscoil Rís has been a three-man effort: Derek Larkin, Liam Cronin and Limerick county hurler Niall Moran, who also teaches at the school.

Moran is careful to spread the credit for the achievement, emphasising the team effort involved, but there’s no doubt some of his experience with the county is being transferred to the school.

Moran is conscious too that Ardscoil are fortunate to be able to compete in both games at the highest level: “I suppose we’re lucky that the two sports are going are the top level,” says Moran – brother of former Limerick hurling captain Ollie Moran.

“We’re actually a little fortunate that the hurling is taking a little more precedent, really, in recent years. But rugby still has a massive degree of success.

“I don’t know many other schools that are operating at the top like that in Munster. Even throughout the country, very few schools, if any, compete at the top level in hurling and rugby.

“Like anything else it comes down to the work you put in. But the three of us really are involved, put in the same effort. And Saturday is the culmination of nine months effort from everyone involved.”

Limerick county secretary Michael O’Riordan sees the emergence of Ardscoil as a hurling force as perhaps setting a new trend: “They have made great progress, for what is considered predominantly a rugby school.

“We’ve another city school, Castletroy College, that’s also predominately rugby, taking part in the Dr Harty Cup from next year, and that represents further progress for hurling in the city. And, of course, that’s all good for hurling in the county.”

Defeat in the final last year proved a minor setback for Ardscoil: they came through this year’s typically competitive Dr Harty Cup competition with renewed determination, beating Thurles CBS, arch rivals St Flannan’s College and finally, and most convincingly of all, Charleville CBS.

Earlier this month they defeated Castlecomer CS in the All-Ireland semi-final, 2-16 to 0-6, to earn another crack at the reigning All-Ireland champions and the famous Dr Croke Cup.

St Keiran’s are certainly a daunting challenge, having won the title a record 17 times, the first of those back in 1948. Ardscoil only opened to students in 1963, and while those entering the gates at North Circular Road now have the chance to play hurling or rugby at the highest grade, a victory in Thurles on Saturday would help shift the emphasis further towards hurling.