St Kieran’s will be very difficult to dethrone

THE introduction of a back-door system sees the provincial losers of Leinster and Munster get a second chance of All-Ireland colleges hurling glory.

The two hurling semi-finals form a double header in Nenagh today with old reliables St Kieran’s and St Flannan’s fancied to reach the final for the second year in a row.

Defending champions St Kieran’s, backboned by Maurice Nolan and the Hogan brothers Richie and Patrick (all county minors from 2004) will be very hard to dethrone.

Thurles CBS only played for about 15 minutes in the Munster final but never looked like toppling Flannan’s. Tipperary minor David Patterson, along with Padraig Maher, Eoin Ryan, Phil Kelly, Pa Bourke and Brian Moran will lead the Thurles challenge, but the reigning champions hold all the aces.

Harty Cup winners St Flannan’s will field the same team which defeated Thurles in the recent Munster final.

Captain James McInerney missed out on that game and will again be on the sideline but the good news is he is on his way back and could make the final if Flannan’s are involved.

St Brendan’s pushed St Kieran’s hard in the Leinster final and Flannans wouldn’t want to take anything for granted against the Birr college.

Michael Verney, Paul Cleary, Mark Quinlan and goalkeeper Devan Beale will spearhead the Brendan’s challenge but Flannan’s, with Bernard Gaffney, Gerry Arthur, John Moloney, Ciaran O’Doherty and Seamus Hickey in excellent form, should win with something to spare.

The two “B” All-Ireland semi-finals are also down for decision. Charleville CBS clash with Connacht champions Galbally College in Templemore at 1pm and will be fancied to reach their first final since 1978.

Charleville had four points to spare over St Clements in the Munster final and will include two current county minors, Cathal Naughton and Eoin Dillon, in their side.

Shane Carroll will play in goal along with Shane Mullane and Harry Dore and it’s hard to see Galbally, better known as a rugby school, causing an upset.

The second semi-final is between Enniscorthy CBS and St Pat’s (Maghera) in Parnell Park (3.30pm), with the Wexford school as favourites.