‘Kieran’s are the college you measure yourself against’

You’d be forgiven for thinking the Croke Cup had become exclusive to Leinster and Munster schools.

Ulster’s top nurseries, for the time being, cannot contend for the most coveted piece of silverware in schools hurling owing to a decision from a couple of years ago that the provincial champions up north would progress to the knockout stages of the All-Ireland senior B competition (Paddy Buggy Cup).

As for those out west, well, they simply haven’t been good enough when pitted against the champions and runners-up from either Leinster or Munster.