Discussing schools football: Sem suppression of Cork, starlets surfacing, west Cork derby and red faces
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Such has been their constant presence at the latter stages of Munster Colleges’ SFC (Corn Uí Mhuirí) year after year, it’s fair to say we’ve covered St Brendan’s College, Killarney more than any other football nursery in Munster over the past decade.
In the opening two rounds of group action in the latest edition, we’ve been in Ballyvourney to see the Sem beat Ballincollig by nine and, on Wednesday, in Mallow to report on their 11-point dusting of Rochestown.
The results got us thinking; when did St Brendan’s last lose a Corn Uí Mhuirí fixture to Cork opposition?
We were present in recent years when they overcame Rochestown at the final and semi-final stage, when they edged Bandon’s Hamilton High School, after extra-time, in the 2022 penultimate round, when they similarly had just enough for Patrician Mallow in last year’s group phase, and when they thumped Ballincollig just a few weeks before that. But we could not recall a St Brendan’s defeat to a red school.
It required a trawl, winding back to 2015 before we got an answer. It was that season’s semi-final, their conquerors being the black and white of Rochestown that they comfortably conquered this week.
It was a Rochestown team of Nathan Walsh, Seán Powter, and Shane Kingston shading a 1-10 to 1-9 tussle over a St Brendan’s team of Gavin White, Micheál Burns, Dara Moynihan, and young lad, David Clifford. Not sure whatever became of him.
All meetings since, and against every other Cork school, have gone the way of the Sem. The results of the opening two rounds would suggest that winning hand over Cork opposition is not in danger of being reversed in the short-term.
Eoghan Cormican
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Mercy Mounthawk are still the favourites to post back to back Corn Ui Mhuiris but is this based on the fact that they possess four stellar names all capable of being match winners on their day. They quality of Paddy Lane, Daniel Kirby, Ben Murphy and Tomas Kennedy cannot be gainsayed and the quartet will be the mainstays of Tomas Ó Sé’s Kerry U-20 side for 2025. But how strong are the Mounthawk supporting cast is the question. The issue is yet to be determined because they have beaten both Abbey CBS and Skibbereen CS by margins of 20 points.
Tralee CBS have 12 of last year’s starting team that lost narrowly to Mounthawk in the all-Tralee final so possible The Green are a stronger all round side. We will know more when the pair clash in the Kerry Colleges O’Sullivan Cup final on Friday January 29th in Austin Stack under lights.
Murt Murphy
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Within Kingdom underage circles, there has been a lot of talk about the potential that Ben Murphy possesses. Understandably so, with the Austin Stacks and Mercy Mounthawk tyro blessed with the pace and power to cause havoc against any opposition.
However, it would be folly to under-estimate his 2024 Kerry minor midfield partner. Killian Dennehy from Cordal, is an equally promising powerhouse. Indeed, his absence through injury for the All-Ireland semi-final against Derry was a massive factor in the green and gold’s narrow defeat that day.
Fast forward to this week and Dennehy was in superb form for his school, St Pat’s Castleisland, as they recorded their second successive victory in Group 3 of the Munster Colleges SFC. In only their second campaign at Corn Uí Mhuirí level, they are showing that they belong in this exalted company.
Now assured of at least a preliminary quarter-final spot in the competition after adding to the victory over Skibbereen CS, with this battling triumph over Abbey CBS, Dennehy did more than anybody to inspire his side to the win, notching 0-8 (0-3 from play).
Next week, Dennehy will come face-to-face with Murphy in a top-of-the-table battle with the defending Corn Uí Mhuirí champions, Mounthawk. The pressure is off St Pat’s, to a degree, but competing against messrs Murphy, Lane, Kirby and Kennedy will be well worth a watch.
John O'Dowd
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Gary Brennan’s St. Flannan’s may have lost out, narrowly, to Coláiste Choilm on Wednesday. However, his side’s desire to kick the ball is something they should be commended for. Former Banner star Brennan was heard shouting “red-zone” to his players when the kick was on. It didn’t work every time, but they weren’t deterred. They were encouraged.
When they chased the game, there was little to no lateral action, the Flannan’s men were well able to kick low, high, long or short. On one play, they went from the keeper’s kicking tee to the full-forward line in three kicks.
Marco Cleary was an impressive out ball, his pace being noteworthy but in general terms, the ‘heads up’ football from the Ennis nursery was commendable. They also played the majority with three up, which should come to prominence with the introduction of the new rules.
Not that Ballincollig were shy with the boot – they kicked fine scores. After a testing, energy sapping hour Danny Miskella affirmed that point with the insurance point from play. Given the opportunities, Sean Murphy, Darragh Clifford and Adam Dodd showed they knew where the posts were. Neither side was discouraged from having a go. Is kicking making a comeback?
Tom Clancy
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Was it a good point or a bad point? That was the immediate question at full-time after Patrician Academy, Mallow, came with three late frees to deny De La Salle, Macroom, in a 2-10 to 1-13 draw.
The immediate sense was that Patrician came away much the happier with the outcome if not the performance.
They never led across the hour. They required three late frees to level by the 64th minute. They were outgunned in scoring attempts, 24-16, but registered a perfect seven from seven in the second half. They never stopped battling.
Even though qualification remains in De La Salle’s hands, most galling for them will be the knowledge that had they won, they would’ve guaranteed a quarter-final berth with a round to spare. Their performance on the day merited that much.
They could still top the group and avoid a preliminary quarter-final if they can overturn a four-point score-difference deficit in their remaining match against already-eliminated Intermediate School Killorglin.
Patrician will be happier to keep possession of top spot but they face a winner-takes-all contest against a CBS Mitchelstown side buoyed by their first win since regrading to the top tier. Knockout football is far from guaranteed for last year’s semi-finalists.
Stephen Barry
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Despite the win against Pres Milltown, last year’s beaten finalists CBS Tralee should address their profligacy in front of goal. With eight wides, and half a dozen more dropped short, their finishing could cost them against more formidable opposition.
That said, their ability to step up when it mattered most – particularly through Ryan O'Driscoll and Ronan Carroll – ensured they secured the points.
Corn Ui Mhuiri rookies Pres Milltown have a side primarily made up of younger players, and Marcus Clifford was a standout at centre back with a display that showed great promise from a Kerry Minor point of view for 2025. Meanwhile Killian Fitzgerald and Danny Murphy, who played U15 football this year, looked at home against players sometimes three years their senior.
Aidan Clifford
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In the Clonakilty Community College and Hamilton High School derby tie in Newcestown, it was inevitable club mates would be facing off. And so it proved with Clonakilty and Ibane Gaels represented on both teams.
When these two west Cork schools were grouped together, it was always going to be a cagey affair. That’s what it was, ending 1-5 apiece.
Clonakilty CC drew the game in the 47th minute through a Seán Whelton free. Amazingly that was the tie’s last score. And that could prove costly as the competition enters its third and final round of group games.
After their first round defeat, Clonakilty CC will need a win against Coláiste an Spioráid Naoimh who have lost both games.
Unbeaten Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine top the group and they play unbeaten Hamilton HS in a top of the table round 3.
Therese O’Callaghan
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While the Munster Post-Primary Schools are unquestionably grateful for artificial surfaces and facilities like Banteer, Bishopstown and Pairc Uí Chaoimh, it was a delight to see colleges games back on grass pitches this week after a period of benign, dry weather.
Few are showing top of the ground form as much as Inbhear Sceine, Kenmare, boosted by Kenmare Shamrocks’ strong showing in the Minor County Leagues in Kerry in recent years. After years of toiling in the lower grades under the late, great Tom O’Connor, they are relishing this first crack at A level with Sean O’Shea one of their mentors. Of course, tougher duels lie ahead but it’s more woe for the vanquished in Ballyvourney, Colaiste an Spioraid Naomh, it continues the sag for Cork schools at this level. It’s 14 years in 2025 since the last non-Kerry winner, Colaiste Chriost Rí, and they’re not even competing this year.
Jordan Murphy
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When IS Killorglin and CBS Mitchelstown jogged out onto the pitch in Macroom, there was an immediate problem for all concerned. The red jerseys and white shorts of CBS Mitchelstown was clashing spectacularly with the red jerseys and white shorts of IS Killorglin!
It was decided than Mitchelstown would turn their jerseys inside out to ensure it would red and white v pink(ish) of the Cork boys. Neverthless, one couldn’t grumble thereafter with the quality of fare as Mitchelstown rallied to secure their first win of the campaign.
Hopefully all concerned with check with their opponents’ garb in advance of Round 3?