Knockbeg hoping Laois stars will come up trumps

LAOIS football sensation Donie Brennan bids to continue an amazing year when his Knockbeg College face St Mary’s (Galway) in the All-Ireland Colleges SFC A Final at Semple Stadium, Thurles this afternoon.

Both sides, bidding for their first Hogan Cup title, were hugely impressive en route to today's decider.

Backboned by five Laois minors from last year including current senior Brennan, Knockbeg will start slight favourites. They accounted for St. Pats (Navan) and St. Mels (Longford) in their march to the final, and coach Chris Conway is expecting a continuation of that good form.

"We have four Leinster titles but the All-Ireland has eluded us so far and we want to rectify that," said Conway.

"We are one of the last remaining boarding schools in the country and as we draw players from Laois, Carlow, Wicklow, Offaly and Wexford, there is huge interest in the final among the clubs of the players.

"Today's final will be the first time this year that we will be at full strength, but from reports I've heard, St. Marys are a big physical outfit which will pose us a lot of problems."

Apart from Brennan, David Conway brother of Chris), Colm Munnelly (brother of Ross), Sean O'Shea, Kevin Lynch and Colm Doran are Knockbeg's key figures.

Yet, Michael Lee, the St Mary's coach is equally confident that his charges can win their first Hogan Cup after beating Mountbellow and Munster champions CSN.

However CSN were without their star player Denis Crowley a point not lost on Lee.

"We had seen Crowley play in the drawn Munster final and he was always going to be the key player for them. When he failed to line out in the All-Ireland semi-final it was something of a relief. Having said that we played very well for long periods in that game, particularly the second quarter which I felt won it for us. With Crowley missing we dominated midfield and our half back line was also very solid. I feel there is one big game in us and hopefully on Monday, they'll produce it."

Mary's are captained by Gareth Bradshaw.

The towering figures of Conor Bohan and Edward Hoare will man the midfield, while Rory McCann, 16-year-old Paul Conway, Eoin Concannon and Philip Lyden will test the Knockbeg defence.

It's a hard game to call, but the Leinster champions look to have the better credentials.