CSN and Farranferris to hit the bright lights
With CSN having reached the knock-out stages of the Irish Examiner Dr Harty Cup, and Farna beating holders St. Colman’s in the semi-final of this Cork Colleges SHC competition, it should be a lively affair.
Farna have won back to back titles, in 2000 and 2001 when current inter-county senior players Tom Kenny and John Gardiner captained the winning teams.
Team coach Niall Aherne knows the size of the task facing his charges.
“CSN are potential Harty Cup winners with a team backboned by many of the Bishopstown side which recently won the Cork Premier title,” he said.
“We have a very good team but a bit on the young side. Six months or a year can make a huge difference at this level. Our record in the O’Callaghan Cup is excellent and we hope to build on that.”
Billy Lynch, Dara Hanifin, Sean O’Reilly and Liam O Riain will spearhead Farna’s challenge but they will have to play to the peak of their powers to win this final.
Other than the Bishopstown players, CSN also include three county minors and are clear favourites to win a title that has eluded them so far.
Football was the dominant sport in the college over the years but they did manage to win the Munster Colleges B title in 1991 before losing out to Callan CBS in the All-Ireland final.
County minors Michael Aherne, Shane O’Neill and Ronan Conway, complimented by Paul O’Sullivan and Denis Crowley, son of former Farna star Johnny, should see CSN win.
On the Munster colleges front, St Colman’s, with a Harty Cup place in the knock out stages secure, turn to football when they play St Agustine's in the Corn an Uachtaráin (B SFC) at Ballyduff Upper (1.30pm).
The Dungarvan college last won this championship in 2000 and indications are they have a team good enough to repeat that feat.
Tomorrow at Charleville, Castletroy play DLS Macroom in the final of the Corn Mhic Craith (1.30pm) with the Limerick college clear favourites.
