Doolan major doubt for Brendan’s ahead of Macroom clash

KERRY minor Jamie Doolan is very doubtful for St Brendan’s, who take on holders DLS Macroom in the opening round of the Credit Union Corn Uí Mhuirí at Rathmore tomorrow.

Doolan injured a thumb in a club game last week and is unlikely to start. However, his county colleague Brian Russell, who played at corner-back in the All-Ireland minor defeat by Roscommon, will play alongside Rory Mangan and Kevin Breen.

With no form to go on, it’s a difficult game to call, but while the Sem are reported to be very much on the young side this season, they never put out a bad team. The Macroom side will have to be at their best to get off to a winning start. DLS have lost most of their big names from last year, but will include several members of the local club’s minor team which are one of the fancied sides in this year’s county premier championship.

Timmy Lillis picked up a shoulder injury during Saturday’s MFC game against Douglas and is rated doubtful, but with the Casey brothers Stephen and Ian, Rory Buckley, Con O’Sullivan and Con Dunne on their side, Macroom won’t be easily beaten.

Tralee CBS, unexpectedly dumped out of last year’s championship at the semi-final stage by St Flannan’s, will field the bulk of their Frewen Cup winning team along with county minors Brian Costello and Stephen Browne.

Barry John Walsh has been ruled out for the foreseeable future after breaking his collar bone recently, but the Green should still carry too much power for former champions Coláiste An Spioraid Naoimh in Ballydesmond.

St Fachtna’s should get their campaign off to a winning start when they clash with Intermediate School Killorglin in Templenoe.

ISK have been struggling to put a decent team together since winning the title back 1996 and are likely to remain so for at least another season.

Castletroy enjoyed a good run last year, but face a difficult opener in beaten finalists St Flannan’s at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, where the Ennis college will start as favourites. Limerick Colleges also had an excellent innings in 2006, and are likely to prove too strong for Coláiste na Sceilge, who have failed to build on the three-in-a -row wins from 2001-3.

The all Cork clash of Coláiste Choilm and Glanmire Community School in Mayfield is a wide open affair. Both teams include several players from local minor clubs who are doing well in the county championship.