Flannan’s set to foil Kilmallock fairytale

AFTER just two seasons competing, Scoil Iosaef (Kilmallock) are only an hour away from a place in a Dr. Harty Cup final.

They face holders St. Flannan’s at Caherconlish tomorrow (2 pm), and there is optimism in the school they can pull off a giant-killing act.

Principal and team coach PJ McNamara is confident his side won’t be easily beaten: “We go into the game as rank outsiders, even though there was only five points between us in the preliminary round,” he said. “But there is huge interest in the game around south Limerick and we won’t be lacking in support.

“It’s a tribute to the players that we have got this far in just two years. Fortunately for us, the Kilmallock club has won four minor titles in-a-row and several members of our team were involved in three of them.

“Success breeds success, but we’ll have to play extremely well to have any chance. Flannan’s hold all the aces and will be odds-on favourites to reach the final, but they will earn it off us.”

Flannan’s mentor Con Woods is expecting Kilmallock to come at them with all guns blazing: “It’s a huge occasion for them. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and we have to be on our guard. We accept we’ll be favourites, but I expect it will be a very close contest.”

Flannan’s will be at full strength tomorrow and while they’ll treat Kilmallock with respect, it would be the shock of the season if they are beaten.

The second semi-final, involving St. Colman’s and Thurles CBS, in Clonmel is a far more open affair.

Thurles beat the Fermoy college in the preliminary round and were quite convincing in doing so, 3-14 to 1-12.

However, Thurles will have to improve on their quarter-final form against Cashel, having failed to score for the entire first-half.

Team official Theo Lloyd put that down to tension: “That game was a local derby and had a lot of hype surrounding it,” he said.

“Still, if we were to repeat that form against Colman’s we’d have no chance. They are past masters in this competition. Our win over them in the preliminary round will have no bearing on this game, but we’ll get stuck in right from the start.

“A couple of early scores would settle us but Colman’s seem to be coming into form at the right time. It’s going to be another huge occasion and I hope we can cope with the pressure.”

It’s an ideal opportunity for Colman’s to atone for that earlier defeat. Team mentor Donal O’Connell reports no injury worries, but is expecting another huge effort from Thurles.

“We have improved a lot since that defeat. Thurles got a couple of early scores when we last met which meant we were always playing catch up.

“Provided we don’t give them a similar start, I would be confident we can take them.”

Colman’s great tradition will probably give them a slight edge and they get the vote for a final meeting with arch rivals St. Flannan’s.