Críost Rí in do-or-die Coláiste Choilm clash

ONE-time kingpins of colleges football, Coláiste Chríost Rí must defeat Coláiste Choilm this afternoon (Carrigadrohid, 1.30pm) if they are to remain in the race for the Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster SFC A) title.

The famed Capwell college find themselves in this position after a draw with Killorglin in their last outing. They led by 10 points in that opener but were extremely fortunate to draw after the referee ruled out a late point for the Kerry side.

Any similar complacency by Críost Rí against a highly-rated Ballincollig side will be severely punished. They have excellent players in Greg Browne, Brian Coughlan, Ian Leahy and Dan Twomey but need to stay fully focused for the hour if they are to make the knock-out stages.

Champions Tralee CBS need just a point from their game with St Fachtna’s in Gneeveguilla (1.30pm) to be certain of the knock-out stages. They made hard work defeating a youthful Coláiste na Sceilge and won’t have it easy against the Skibbereen school.

This is Fachtna’s first outing and may not be at full strength due to club commitments which makes their task even more difficult.

Barry John Keane will again be the key player for Tralee but there is plenty of talent throughout the side. Kerry minors, Barry Shanahan, Wayne Guthrie along with Edmond Walsh and Kieran Hurley are other capable footballers and the champions should pick up at least the point needed to advance.

St Brendan’s are reputed to be the team to beat in this year’s championship and their demolition of Glanmire CC in the opening round (3-14 to 1-2) indicates that the favourite’s tag is well justified.

The addition of Kerry footballer Paul Galvin to the teaching staff is a boost to the school, and it’s hard to see Coláiste Spiorad Naoimh posing too many problems for them today in Carrigadrohid (1.30pm).

James O’Donoghue, Bryan Russell, Cian Tobin and Shane O’Neill are among Brendan’s best players and they should stay on course for a place in the quarter-finals after Christmas.

St Flannan’s cannot afford another defeat when they play Limerick Colleges in Meelick having already failed to Pobal Scoil Chorca Dhuibhne in the first round. Padraig McMahon, Darragh Sexton, Luke O’Dea and Fergus Ryan will again spearhead the Flannan’s challenge and they may get the win which would keep them in the title race.