Dingle lads set to deliver

Hogan Cup final Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne v Roscommon CBS, Croke Park (A Nolan, Wicklow), 3.15pm

Sat, 11 Apr, 2015 - 01:00

Eoghan Cormican

Roscommon CBS have made massive strides to become the first Roscommon nursery to reach the blue riband event of schools football.

Noel Gately, expected to line out at left corner-forward, is their key player having been introduced as a second-half sub in Roscommon’s Connacht U21 final win last Saturday. Richard Hughes and Conor Shanagher are others likely to cause problems for the Dingle defence, but their tally of just four points from open play in the semi-final won’t be nearly sufficient here.

Dingle’s semi-final scare was ideal preparation for today’s contest, dispelling notions that the reigning champions would coast to a second successive Hogan Cup crown.

The Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne side shows eight survivors from last year’s team. Included in that are inside trio Cathal Ó Géibheannaigh, Seamus Ó Muircheartaigh, Conchúir Ó Bambaire. They kicked 1-10 of their 1-14 semi-final tally and will punish Roscommon CBS if the door is left slightly ajar.

Dingle are strongest in the middle third – centre-back Brian Ó Beaglaioch, half-back Tom Ó Suilleabháin, midfielder Marc Ó Conchúir and centre-forward Séan Ó Gairbhia so impressive in returning Corca Duibhne to the Hogan Cup decider.

Verdict: Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne

Drummond Cup final

Abbey School, Tipperary v St Mary’s Academy Carlow CBS, Croke Park (M McNally, Monaghan), 1.30pm

Both sides were forced to dig deep in their respective semi-finals. St Mary’s Academy required extra-time to shake off Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, while a brace of injury-time Andrew Vance frees edged Abbey CBS past Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick.

The Tipp school had three players in minor hurling duty on Wednesday; team captain Eoghan MacNamara lined out between sticks for the Limerick minors, while Shane Neville and Tommy Lowry were part of the Tipp set-up. They are bidding to win the Drummond Cup for a second time having beaten St Louis, Ballymena in 1998.

Ciarán Larkin, Shane O’Neill and Ross Dunphy will spearhead the Carlow effort in what should prove a keenly contested final.

Verdict: Abbey School, Tipperary