Colleges Previews

TODAY

St Colman’s (Newry) v St Jarlath’s (Tuam), Croke Park, 1.45pm

THE Down champions are bidding to retain the crown they claimed so impressively last April when comfortably beating St Brendan’s (Killarney). They displayed resilience to get past St Pat’s (Dungannon) by a point in the MacRory Cup final before turning on the style in despatching Dundalk Colleges in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Caolan Mooney, who is set to move to join AFL outfit Collingwood later this year, has been in outstanding form, while the Johnston brothers, Ryan and Jerome, and Shay McArdle are others who have caught the eye.

St Jarlath’s are market leaders with 12 titles and last contested a final in 2003. They overcame Summerhill College (Sligo) in the Connacht decider before prevailing against Coláiste Chríost Rí in a high-quality All-Ireland semi-final.

Their team is studded with famous Galway football names like Silke and Armstrong. They have a pair of free-scoring attackers as well in Shane Walsh and Ian Burke. But recent results suggest St Colman’s are a powerful force and they possess a potential match-winner in Mooney.

Verdict: St Colman’s

All-Ireland Vocational SAFC final

Clonakilty CC v Gallen CS (Ferbane), Croke Park, noon

JUST 12 months after their greatest hour, Clonakilty CC are back at the final stage attempting to retain their All-Ireland Vocational crown.

They may be missing some of the stars from last year’s win but the West Cork school can still call on quality players like Gearóid Barry, Jeremy Ryan, Cillian Cullinane and Kevin Cormican. Their lopsided semi-final victory over Athenry VS may not have tested them but prior to that Clonakilty CC survived some stern challenges in the Munster competition.

Gallen CS demolished Coláiste Bhríde (Carnew) in the Leinster final before defeating a highly-rated High Trinity College (Cookstown) team in last weekend’s All-Ireland semi-final.

This is their first All-Ireland showdown, their only previous national exposure coming in 2005 when they lost a semi-final to St Brogan’s (Bandon).

Conor Lowry, Darragh Corbett, Ciaran Cahill and Eoghan Lowry will underpin their hopes of success. However, the experience Clonakilty gained at this stage last year may hand them the edge.

Verdict: Clonakilty CC.