Waterford Colleges take on champions
Defending Harty Cup (Munster Colleges SHC) champions St Flannan’s will play Waterford Colleges and the amalgamation will see this as the perfect opportunity to atone for their defeat in the 2004 final at the hands of the Ennis college.
Former champions St Colman’s have been drawn against Nenagh CBS and should they advance with St Flannan’s win, it would set up a semi-final between these great rivals.
In the other half of the draw, Thurles CBS will play Rathluirc CBS while Midleton CBS await the winners of the Carrigaline CS/Our Lady’s tie. All quarter-finals will be played on Wednesday, January 25 with the semi-finals pencilled in for Sunday, February 2 and the final on March 12.
In the Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster Colleges SFC), the meeting of Tralee CBS and Coláiste Chríost Rí is the pick and will revive memories of their outstanding clashes over the years. St Brendan’s of Killarney will play St Flannan’s and if both Kerry sides win, it will set up an intriguing semi-final derby.
In the bottom half of the draw, newcomers DLS Macroom have a tricky game against Dingle CBS, while Limerick Colleges, who have been making great strides, will play St Fachtna’s (Skibbereen). An all-Cork semi-final is likely here.
The four quarter-finals will be played on Wednesday, February 1; the semi-finals are down for decision on February 26 with the final fixed for March 19.
Waterford Colleges delegate Pat Collins admitted at the half-yearly colleges meeting that St Flannan’s were the one team he was hoping to avoid for at least one more round.
“We got a bad beating from them in the final two years ago and you could argue it’s an opportunity to make amends, but it’s going to be very difficult for us again,” he said.
Críost Rí delegate Mick Evans said his side’s clash with Tralee CBS should be a cracker.
“There is great history between these two schools. We have suffered a couple of defeats at the hands of Tralee in recent years in the Frewen and Moran Cups, and by all accounted their senior team is one of the best to come out of ‘The Green’ in years. It has the making of a fascinating match.”
An application to defer the quarter-final involving Limerick Colleges because of pre-leaving exams was not entertained. Several delegates argued against the change stating the schools involved were aware well in advance of the knock-out dates and should have worked their exams in around them.
Evans argued against five-team groups in the Harty Cup. He stated that his school had to play two games which were meaningless and cost over €1,000 in expenses to fulfil.
A lengthy debate took placed on the proposed amalgamation of the vocational and secretary schools for competition. Secretary Michael Forrestal told the meeting that both bodies in Ulster and Munster were opposed to the idea.
“There was a meeting fixed for December 20 last, by Croke Park, to advance the amalgamation further but it did not take place,” he revealed.
Gerry Harkin (Shannon Schools) said there were huge issues to be resolved but there appeared to be no heart for the move.
The treasurer’s report showed the council to be in a healthy state, helped in no small way by a sponsorship deal with the Credit Unions which is worth €10,000.
Council Secretary Michael Forrestal led glow tributes to the late Donal Power (Midleton CBS) who passed away recently.
“Donal was a valued member of the council who never missed a meeting. We will miss him dearly.”
(A) St Colman’s v Nenagh CBS; (B) Waterford Colleges v St Flannan’s; (C) Thurles CBS v Rathluirc CBS; (D) Midleton CBS v Our Lady’s or Carrigaline CS.
: A v B, C v D.
: March 12
Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-finals (February 1)
(A) DLS Macroom v Dingle CBS; (B) Limerick Colleges v St Fachtna’s; (C) Tralee CBS v Coláiste Chríost Rí; (D) St Brendan’s v St Flannan’s.
: A v B, C v D.
: March 19.
Corn an Uachtarain (SBFC) semi-finals: Douglas CBS v Clonmel HS (Feb 1); St Patrick’s (Castleisland) v Ard Scoil Ris (Feb 8). Final on February 26
Corn Phadraig (SBHC) semi-finals: Dungarvan CBS v Abbey CBS; Doon CBS v Borrisoleigh (both games Feb 8)
The Our Lady’s v Carrigaline CS Harty Cup game has been fixed for Cashel on Wednesday (2 pm).
