*James Hegarty
INAGH/KILNAMONA’s James Hegarty is well aware of St Flannan’s College’s history of success in the Dr Harty Cup and is hoping to play a central part in their latest chapter of the provincial competition.
As his primary school days drew to a close, going to St. Flannan’s College for his secondary education came very much into focus for James Hegarty. To play hurling with the famed Clare nursery was the target, especially as his brother Conner was part of the school’s Harty Cup squad which won the Munster title in 2020.
“I was there at that final and watching that game, one really wanted to be in that position and, thankfully, I have that opportunity now. There was a lot of hard work in getting there and it will be even harder on Saturday,” James said at Monday’s launch at the TUS College campus of this year’s TUS-sponsored decider.
Saturday’s final between St. Flannan’s and Thurles CBS throws in at 1 pm at the Mallow Sports Complex.
Not alone is James a key member of the team, he is also the captain. “It’s extra special and, indeed, it’s a privilege to lead St. Flannan’s in this campaign. The school has competed in 41 Harty Cup finals and won 22 of them, that’s a lot of finals. It’s great for the school and there is a great buzz around,” he told The Clare Echo.
St. Flannan’s played out a draw against Thurles in the opening round, a game which James admits they will draw information on ahead of Sunday’s decider. “It was a tough game and we probably know a bit more about each other. Both played well in that game but there is a lot to improve on. Both have made changes, positional and tactically, and both will know that they will have to be better if they are to win this one”.
James notes that it’s easy for the players to respond to the St. Flannan’s management team, such is the esteem they hold them in. “They have won All-Irelands, they have won All-Star awards and Hurlers of the year accolades. The experience they bring is phenomenal and it’s great to have them in the school. They keep the hurling to the forefront and first-year students coming in really look up to them. They give a lot of time to really bringing on the young hurlers around Clare”.
A Leaving Cert student, James admits that the hurling has offered a welcome distraction from studying. “It’s a great mix. You don’t want to be stuck in a book all day. It’s great to get out in the evenings and train and then come home and do an hour or two of study. Hurling and study go well together. If you lost a match it’s not that easy to go home and turn in to study, you wouldn’t get too much done, whereas if you win it’s a lot easier to go home and do some study”.
James also paid tribute to his club, Inagh/Kilnamona whom he made his senior championship debut for last season. “They have been brilliant, all the way up along, that’s where I learned the basic skills of hurling. The club has had a good bit of success at underage level. We haven’t had it at adult level yet but we are hoping that will change in the next few years”.
For now, the focus is on Saturday’s final. “That’s all we can focus on now,” he said, determined to be the man who will captain the famed Ennis school to its 23rd Harty Cup success and, in the process, bring a second Harty Cup medal to the Hegarty household.
