ISK bid to maintain buoyant Kingdom’s dominance

THE balance of power in the Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster Colleges SFC) has shifted significantly in Kerry’s favour.

Already, holders Tralee CBS and St Brendan’s are through to the quarter-finals after Christmas and they will be joined by Intermediate School Killorglin (ISK), Coláiste na Sceilge and Pobalscol Chorca Dhuibhne, should all three win their final game in the round-robin series today.

Both Dingle and ISK need just a point to be certain of their place in the last eight, while Coláiste na Sceilge must beat St Flannan’s to claim second place in their group.

ISK looked dead and buried in their last outing against Coláiste Chríost Rí when they trailed by 10 points at half time. However, they staged a remarkable recovery to salvage a point, and if they can produce the same form against Coláiste Choilm this afternoon in Glenflesk, ISK should win.

An inspirational display by Kerry minor John Buckley was the principal reason for ISK’s incredible second-half comeback and he could be hugely influential for his side again today.

Jeremy O’Callaghan, Peter Crowley, Marty Lynch and Ciarán Doyle are others who will spearhead the Killorglin challenge against a side that fell to Chríost Rí by seven points in their previous outing.

That result would suggest ISK should win with something to spare, but the Ballincollig school, ably led by Cork minor Ciarán Sheehan, Kealin Hickey and John Dineen, will battle hard for that second spit in the group.

Chorca Dhuibhne need a point from their game with Limerick Colleges in Abbeyfeale today to top the group, and are likely to get both as the latter failed badly to St Flannan’s, and the Dingle school had two goals to spare over the Ennis College.

Dingle looked the part in their opening game against Flannan’s and led by 11 points entering the home straight. The Ennis college put in a last 10 minutes but the Kerry school showed its mettle in standing firm to win by six points.

Such battling qualities are likely to prove too strong for Limerick Colleges. Eoin MacGearailt, Colm Ó Muircheartaigh, Seamus MacGearailt and Cathal Ó Fiannachta are Dingle’s big players, and despite the best efforts of Cormac Joyce, Thomas Lyons and Brian Danagher, should get the win which would put them on of their group and into the last eight.

Three-time winners, Coláiste Na Sceilge, must beat St Fachtna’s in Kilcummin to be sure of making the quarter-finals. Having pushed the title holders Tralee CBS all the way in their opening game, losing by a two-point margin, they are unlikely to slip up.

A bit on the young side, the Caherciveen school are coached by former Kerry coach Jack O’Connor, and will look to Stephen O’Dwyer, Niall O’Shea, Éanna O’Connor and Ian Galvin to secure the victory.

Fachtna’s, trounced by Tralee CBS in round one, are strengthened by the return of a number of players who missed that game due to club commitments. But despite the best efforts of Peadar O’Driscoll, Eoin Daly, Richard Hodnett and Shane Crowley, they are unlikely to deny the Kerry school.

The second semi-final of the Dean Ryan Cup between DLS Waterford and Coláiste an Risigh takes place at Cashel tomorrow. DLS are going well at senior level have made it to the knockout stages of the Harty Cup for the third year in a row. They have a good record at this level, winning the 2005 title, and will be favourites to reach another decider.