CSN looking to end hoodoo

MICHAEL SLOCUM knows the heartache of losing a Corn Uí Mhuirí final.

The former Cork All-Ireland SFC winner looked to have secured that cherished colleges medal back in 1983 when Coláiste An Spioraid Naoimh led Coláiste Chríost Rí by two points nearing full time.

“You could sense from the crowd that the final whistle was imminent. And with a two point lead you couldn’t help feeling that victory was going to be ours,” Slocum recalls.

“But it all went horribly wrong when Ger O’Regan got in for a late goal to leave us completely shattered.

“There was some dispute as to whether we would step down a grade in 1983, but team trainer Mick Kilcoyne argued successfully to give the Corn Uí Mhuirí another go. He was proved right, but that defeat was a killer.

“We had an excellent team that included Brian Murphy, who went onto play with the Kildare senior footballers, and Paul McGrath, who played in four senior All-Ireland finals with Cork, winning two.

“Playing with your school is a time you always remember. There is a tremendous bond between school pals that lasts forever. And talking to a number of our team of 22 years ago, we’ll be meeting up in Carrigadrohid tomorrow to urge on the present side to achieve what we failed to do.”

Tomorrow’s clash between CSN and traditionalists St. Brendan’s, Killarney is an intriguing affair with the Cork side looking to win the title for the first time and Brendan’s looking for their 19th, the first for 11 years.

“The longer it goes on without winning the title the harder it becomes,” said Slocum.

But there is something different about the present team.

“When Críost Rí took the lead so late in this year’s semi-final, it was shades of 1983 again. But CSN displayed tremendous character in breaking upfield for the winning goal.

“Another plus for this year’s team is that the bulk of them are playing with the Bishopstown club and were members of two highly successful minor hurling teams which won successive county titles in 2003 and 2004. They are accustomed to winning which is a great habit to have.”

Peter Fagan, who along with Philip O’Sullivan look after CSN’s preparations, said the players will have to stand up and be counted tomorrow if they are to create history.

“We looked very good at stages against Críost Rí, but left them off the hook. Despite being eight points in front, and came very close to paying the price. Whilst we have beaten Brendans on a couple of occasions in the Round Robin series over the years, CSN have never beaten them in the knock out stages of the championship. That needs to be put right.

“At the beginning of the campaign we weren’t rated, but through sheer hard work we are where we are, and it will take a very good team to beat us if we play to our potential.”

Brendans’ mentor Hugh Rudden said there is air of expectation in the school.

“As most schools, former players have come back to give words of encouragement to the present side. People like Seamus Moynihan and Eoin Brosnan have been in, which is a huge confidence booster for the players.

“We are conscious of the great tradition of Gaelic football there is in the school. Many greats of Kerry football passed through our doors. Players like Pat Spillane, Paidí Ó Sé and John O’Keeffe donned the school jersey before going on to greater things. It’s important to maintain that tradition, but we are up against a very good CSN team who have beaten the champions Críost Rí, always a good yardstick for any team.

“The manner in which they won that match has certainly put us on our guard, and we certainly won’t get away playing like we did in the first half of our semi-final against St. Fachtnas. However, if we can play for the full hour like we did in the semi-final it would be good enough to give us our 19th title.”

Those who say tradition counts for nothing in colleges matches have only to look back on last week’s Dr. Harty Cup final. It was that history which pulled St. Flannans through in a very tight finish.

Brendan’s will be hoping for much the same tomorrow. They will be at full strength, with Brian Looney back from injury and he could be the difference.