Walsh hopeful Tralee can get rub of the green in derby final
During his time in Tralee CBS, the former Kerry stalwart lost three Munster Colleges SFC A finals in 1972, 1973 and 1975. To rub salt into the wound the year after he left school, the Green won the title.
In the circumstances, Walsh will be keeping his fingers crossed that son Barry John can collect a winner’s medal when Tralee CBS meet St Brendan’s in this year’s final in Austin Stack Park on Monday.
To add a bit more spice to the final, the joint coaches of Tralee, John O’Keeffe and Tony O’Keeffe, both won Corn Uí Mhuirí medals with St Brendan’s in 1969 and went on to garner All-Ireland honours the same year.
Monday’s final is the first since 1976 between these great Kerry clubs.
“There was only the two schools in Kerry playing in Corn Uí Mhuirí in my time and the rivalry was massive. What added to this was that Brendan’s was a boarding school and several players from Tralee went there. They would be your team-mates with the club but with the school, your fiercest rivals.
“Both schools were a great breeding ground for Kerry footballers. During my time in the Green we had Mikey Sheehy on our team while Brendan’s had Pat Spillane and Paidí Ó Sé.
“Little did I imagine then what all four of us would go on to achieve with the county.
“Games against Brendan’s were very competitive, but they always had the upper hand. The closest we came to beating them was in the 1972 final. They were leading by two points coming up to the end but a wonderful save by their ‘keeper Mike Cullotty denied us a goal.”
It’s well documented that Nemo Rangers would not be the force they are in Cork football but for their link with Coláiste Chríost Rí. Likewise, Kerins O’Rahillys are equally associated with Tralee CBS.
In addition, there are six players from O’Rahillys club involved with the Green on Monday and Walsh feels that is a good thing.
“If they win, it should have a huge knock-on effect for the club and we need to get back up to the top of the pile in Kerry. Likewise in Brendan’s. Several members of the Crokes team which contests the All-Ireland club final on Saturday would have gone to school there. In fact, Jamie Doolan will be involved with both teams over the weekend.”
Walsh has been impressed by the Killarney team this season.
“They are a very good outfit, very competitive and have some great players. If Tralee are to win they will have to gel a lot better as a unit.”
St Brendan’s have played a game more than their opponents who received a walkover from Limerick Colleges. Along the way the Sem have amassed the impressive tally of 14-60, and it’s their ability to score goals which could prove decisive.
Midfield will be the key area and here the Tralee pair, Stephen Browne and Anthony Shanahan, look to have it over Brendan’s duo Kevin Regan and Kevin Breen.
It’s hard to believe that the Sem haven’t won the title since 1994, and if they are to bridge that gap, Jamie Doolan, Jamie O’Donoghue and Ruairí Mangan will have to maintain their goalscoring form.
This all-Kerry final has the making of a classic match, and while there appears, on paper at least, to be nothing between them, St Brendan’s flair for goals will give them a slight edge which may be sufficient to see them maintain their dominance over the Green.
Throw in is at 2.30pm and Peter Lyons (Killorglin) is referee.
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