St Colman’s face tough encounter with Cashel CS

ST COLMAN’S open the defence of their Irish Examiner Dr Harty Cup title with a tricky first-round tie against Cashel CS in Clonmel tomorrow.

The Fermoy college are going for their fourth title in-a-row, but face a side that will field the majority of their Dean Ryan winning team of 2002.

This is a new era for Colman’s, because for the first time in over 10 years they won’t have Denis Ring in their corner as he is now principal of a new school in Waterford. To add to their woes, the college no longer boasts boarders in its ranks.

Garvan Queeney and Donal O’Connell have taken up the reins and, according to Gavin, Colman’s won’t give up their title easily.

“The people in charge may have changed but hurling will continue to be promoted at the highest level,” he said.

“While this year’s team will be a bit on the young side and will include only two of the 2003 winning side, they are a very willing bunch, all very keen to maintain the highest traditions of the school.

"The team is built around last year’s winning Dean Ryan side and will include Eamon Condon, Patrick Cotter, Colm O’Keeffe and Mark O’Connor.

“This is going to be a big test for us as Cashel are reputed to have a very good team.”

Rev Fr Bernie Moloney, of Cashel Community School, said his side have high hopes of at least reaching the knock-out stages, but agreed that their group is extremely tough.

“Playing the champions in the first round give players the perfect opportunity to show what they can do. We’ll include three of this year’s Tipp minor team in James McCarthy, Dara Hickey and Paddy Ryan along with Michael Harding and Tony Hewitt, and will give a good account of ourselves.”

Newcomers Kilmallock face a difficult opener against Coláiste Spioraid Naoimh at Mallow tomorrow.

The Bishopstown side are also taking part for the first time and will include most of the local club’s minor team which is through to the county final, and that will probably make them favourites.

Once kingpins of the Harty Cup North Mon also face a very tricky opening game against St Joseph’s (Borrisoleigh) at Mitchelstown tomorrow.

The Tipperary school won the Munster “B” title last year before failing to Castlecomer CBS in the All-Ireland final and with most of that side available to them, will be fancied to get their season in the higher grade off to a winning start.

The all-Waterford clash of De La Salle and Coláiste na Déise at Walsh Park tomorrow should go DLS’s way given that they will field most of the players who figured prominently in last year’s Dean Ryan Cup final against St Colman’s.

Doon CBS, who failed to Flannan’s at the semi-final stage last year, face unknown opponents in Douglas CS who are taking part for the first time, at Charleville.

The Cork side will include county minor footballers Stephen Beringham, Eoin Cadogan along with Gary Hanrahan and Alan Barry but may find the Limerick lads too big a handful.

Shannon Schools, a combination team, should prove too strong for Coláiste Chríost Rí at Ballyagran, despite the best efforts of David Coughlan, Brian Cashman and Chris Murphy.

The all-Tipperary clash of Abbey CBS (Tipperary Town) beaten semi-finalists last year, and Our Ladys (Templemore) at Boherlahan tomorrow promises to be a lively affair with the latter fancied to take the spoils.

Last year’s beaten finalists St Flannans won’t have matters all their own when they play Thurles CBS in Nenagh on Thursday (2.30pm).

Thurles will include two Tipp minors David Shephard and Tom King along with Joe Dixon, Brian Moran and Liam Devane, younger brother of county U21 star John.

St Flannan’s, who failed to St Colman’s in last year’s final after a replay, will include James McInerney, Bernard Gaffney, Shane O’Brien and Mark Moloney of that team, and they should just about shade the issue.

All games start at 2.30pm.