Sem boys have form to bring third Hogan Cup to Killarney

ST BRENDAN’S College, Killarney hope to improve their record in All-Ireland finals when they face St Patrick’s Academy (Dungannon) in this afternoon’s Hogan Cup decider at Portlaoise (TG4, 5.15pm).

The Kerry school side are the most successful in Munster with 19 senior titles, yet have only claimed the national crown twice, in 1969 and 1992.

But their form this season has raised hopes that they can claim college football’s most coveted silverware.

They breezed through the provincial round-robin series before facing their first serious challenge against Coláiste Chríost Rí in the semi-final.

After trailing by a goal midway through the second half, the Sem put in a storming finish to win by four points. That set up a final meeting with champions and Kerry rivals Tralee CBS and they reversed last year’s result with a 2-11 to 1-11 victory.

Next stop was the All-Ireland semi -final against the famed St Jarlath’s, who had won a 46th Connacht title.

However, the Killarney side produced another top-drawer performance to win by five and assume the favourites’ tag for today’s clash

Both the college and Killarney town have been buzzing with excitement, according to team official Michael Leahy.

“It’s a massive occasion for the school to be involved in an All-Ireland final. It’s where we want to be. It has been 16 years since we last won the title but there is an air of optimism sweeping through the town and school that this could be our year.

“The team has done all that has been asked of them. There is one final hurdle to be jumped, which is always the biggest one. I see no reason why we cannot triumph but we must play to our potential to do so.”

It’s no secret that Brendan’s successes this year coincided with the arrival of Paul Galvin as a teacher. The Kerry senior captain succeeded in adding the extra resolve necessary to win games when they appear to be slipping away.

He compliments the work of Gary McGrath and Haulie Clifford over the last number of years, saying it would be a fitting reward if their side could win.

The St Pat’s challenge has been strengthened by the availability of Sean McKillion, who missed the semi-final because of an appendix operation.

The Tyrone side are appearing in their fourth final and won the title once in 1997, when they defeated St Gerard’s (Castlebar).

St Pat’s have produced some of Tyrone’s greatest footballers and current players Raymond Mulgrew, Damien McCauley and Brian McGuigan all played with the Academy.

St Pat’s have never played St Brendan’s before in any grade, but according to team official Ciaran Gourley, “any team coming out of Kerry had to be respected”.

“Our semi-final against Athlone CC was one of the toughest games we’ve had all season and it was only in the closing stages that we got the match -winning two points. That was quite an achievement given that we went into the game just five days after we had won the Ulster title.

“It remains to be seen if we are good enough, but you can take it we are not going to Portlaoise simply to make up the numbers.”