Tralee CBS should have too much firepower for Macroom
Tralee CBS v DLS Macroom, Brosna, 2.30.
TRALEE CBS, who lost their title to arch-rivals St. Brendan’s last year, should prove too strong for DLS Macroom on the strength of their impressive victories in their two round-robin games.
Against ISK and Abbey CBS they amassed 5-22 and deserve to be favourites to reach the last four and set up a possible rematch with Brendan’s.
Tralee have an excellent team and in Shane Carroll and Alan Fitzgerald, who captains the side, they have two outstanding midfielders.
Their forwards have a nose for scores, with Kieran Hurley, Fergal Maunsell and Chris O’Connor likely to add to their impressive tallies.
The Macroom school won the title in 2006, dropped back for the next two years and are back again with a side well capable of causing an upset.
They failed in their opening game by 12 points, but bounced back to win round two by nine.
However, even though they have fine performers in Tony Dineen, Jeremiah Kelleher, Denis O’Leary, Greg Barrett and Declan Ambrose, they don’t have the overall strength of the Tralee side.Verdict: Tralee CBS win
Coláiste Chríost Rí v St. Fachtna’s, CIT (4), 2.30.
THIS all-Cork clash is likely to be the game of the round. Fachtna’s drew both their round-robin games, while the city school won one and lost one .
Other results meant a play-off for the Skibbereen side and, after a titanic struggle, they overcame St. Brendan’s by two points after extra-time to set up this quarter-final tie.
Fachtna’s are backboned by a couple of outstanding players in Rob McCarthy, Donie Hodnett, John Davis and Ger Minihane, who will cause Críost Rí problems. Midfield is always the key area and Críost Rí are fortunate to have two outstanding players in Philip O’Sullivan and David Coughlan, who should give them a grip.
Up front, they depend a lot on Finbarr Desmond, Joe Fitzpatrick and Kieran Murphy, but must tighten up in defence if they are to advance. They have conceded 3-19 in two games which is far too much.Verdict: Críost Rí win
Pobalscol Chorca Dhuibhne v ISK, Ballyheigue, 2.30
THIS all-Kerry clash is wide open. Both won and lost a game in the round-robin series, with the Dingle school the more impressive, defeating DLS Macroom by 12 points, while ISK had two points to spare over Abbey CBS.
Paul Geaney, captain of the Kerry minor team for a while in 2008 before losing his place, Tom Cavanagh, Dara Ó Suilleabhain and Leroy Murphy are Dingle’s key players and they should advance despite the best efforts of Pa Joy, Ryan Keane, Colin McGillycuddy and Edward O’Sullivan for ISK.Verdict: Dingle win
St. Brendan’s v Coláiste na Sceilge, Listry 2.30.
THE word on St. Brendan’s at the beginning of the season was they are far too young, with only two of last year’s winning team available. They have played four games, winning one, drawing two and losing the other.
Sean McCarthy, Chris O’Leary — on whom they are far too reliant for scores — James Coffey and Denis Sheahan will spearhead the Sem challenge but they are up against a well organised Caherciveen side coached by Kerry’s Jack O’Connor.
An O’Sullivan Cup (Kerry Colleges) final win over ISK has ensured Sceilge go into this clash unbeaten and favourites to reach the last four. Mark Griffin, Dominick O’Sullivan, Shane O’Sullivan, Enna O’Connor, Ian Galvin and Niall O’Shea should ensure they achieve their objective.
Verdict: Coláiste na Sceilge win.
