O’Shea’s return a boost for Coláiste na Sceilge
After dominating the vocational scene for years, the Caherciveen school looked for higher peaks to conquer and opted to try colleges level for the first time in 2001.
History shows they won the title that year, retained it the following year and tomorrow will put their title on the line when they play Dingle CBS in the first of the semi-finals at Fitzgerald Stadium (2.30 pm).
Last year Sceilge had their hearts set on All-Ireland glory only to be denied by St. Jarlaths (Tuam) and Michael Meehan in the semi-final stage.
“I felt we had a great chance of All-Ireland honours with last year’s team, but it wasn’t to be”, said O’Connor. “With only two of that side available to us this year, we faced an uphill battle to win games let alone retain our title.
“Expectations weren’t very high down here this year as we were fielding almost a complete new team. We took it step by step, began to win a couple of games and the confidence grew from there.
“The team has certainly improved out of all proportion as the season went on, and I’ delighted we have a team that can compete at this level again.
“The real satisfaction here is bringing another group of players on, and so far they have not disappointed. Dingle beat us in the Kerry colleges championship, but we reversed that result in the Round Robin series of the Corn Uí Mhuirí. On that score there is little between us.
“With respect to Dingle, many people felt Coláiste Chríost Rí were the team to beat this year, but Dingle shocked them in the quarter-final, and as a result confidence in their camp will be sky high. They certainly won’t have any fear of us as a consequence”.
St. Fachtnas were expected to run Coláiste na Sceilge very close in their quarter-final tie, but a nine point victory for the champions raised a lot of eyebrows.
“To be fair to Fachtnas, they didn’t perform on the day and that game was over after 20 minutes. We would have preferred a sterner test because we’ll certainly get one from Dingle.
“As the defending champions we are up there to be beaten. We haven’t lost a game in the championship over the last two and a half years, and want to maintain that record”.
Sceilge’s chances have been boosted by the availability of Sean O’Shea. He damaged shoulder ligaments in their previous out, but has been declared fit following intensive physiotherapy.
Bryan Sheehan who figured in goal in the two previous successes, was magnificent at midfield for the champions against Fachtnas and will again have a huge say in the outcome of tomorrow’s semi-final.
However Sceilge are by no means a one man team, and in Colin O’Sullivan, Killian Young and Timothy O’Sullivan they have excellent defenders, while Dermot Walsh, King and O’Connor will pose a lot of problems for the Dingle defence.
Dingle owed much to their defenders for that shock victory over Críost Rí. They were forced to soak up enormous pressure for long periods and were grateful for the brilliance of goalkeeper Sean Curran, Jason Murphy and Sean Sheehy in keeping the scoreline down.
Midfield could be the deciding area tomorrow and here Dingle have a star player in Muiris MacGeraailt, younger brother of Kerry senior Aodán. Davie Geaney is another of exceptional ability and if Dingle can get a good supply of ball into him, he’ll trouble the champions’ defence.
Local derbies are always difficult to call, but Coláiste na Sceilge who have built their own bit of tradition over the last two years, will start favourites for a third final appearance on the trot.
The second Irish Examiner Dr. Harty Cup semi-final, refixed for Clonmel today, has again been postponed because of the death of a student at the Fermoy college.
