'It's the culture of the school' - Bride v Castlelyons a St Colman's reunion

The better part of two centuries on from its opening, the status of St Colman’s as a hurling nursery for the surrounding areas is as strong as ever.

Castlelyons hurlers and St Colman's College teachers, cousins Niall O'Leary and Keith O'Leary, with young students who also play for the club. Picture: Rio Horgan

To give an indication of the extent to which St Colman’s College is rooted in Gaelic games, you go back to the very beginning.

When the Fermoy school opened in 1858, its first president was Kilbrin native Dr Thomas Croke. He later became Archbishop of Cashel and Emly and there is a field in Dublin named after him.

The better part of two centuries on, the status of St Colman’s as a hurling nursery for the surrounding areas is as strong as ever. When Cork hurler Niall O’Leary – an alumnus and current teacher – goes through the starting lineup of his club Castlelyons in the Co-op SuperStores SAHC semi-final win over Blarney, he says “Colman’s” 15 times. 

For Saturday’s final opponents Bride Rovers, the number of old boys is 13. O’Leary is one of four Castlelyons players on the staff, along with his cousin Keith and the Spillane brothers, Colm and Anthony, though the latter is currently on a career break and commuting from Dubai to help the effort to reach the premier senior grade.

“There's a big crossover that way,” he says, “I think there's around ten of us back now, teachers who are past pupils.

“I suppose it just shows how fellas like the school so much and are willing to come back and stay here again, to be fair.

“It's rich in history and it's always nice to get involved with teams like that.” Keith O’Leary agrees: “It's the culture of the school,” he says, “a lot of fellas do come here to play hurling.

“They have ambitions to play A-grade hurling. I know that’s why I came here anyway!” 

The chat takes place in the office of deputy principal Pa O’Driscoll – another past pupil – who, when he’s not busy with the day-job or refereeing duties, serves as chairperson of Bride Rovers.

“I think back to when I was going to school in 1990s and the double Harty-winning teams,” he says.

“You had six or seven from the two clubs on those sides, including Niall and Eoin Fitzgerald – first cousins, one from each club. So they’ve always been there.” 

Niall O’Leary highlights a more recent vintage, the last Colman’s team to claim the Dean Ryan (Munster U16½) title in 2017, featuring more than a few of Saturday night’s protagonists.

“The two Roches [Brian and Eoin] were on it,” he says, "Adam Walsh would have been on it, Leon Doocey, Conor Barry, Paddy O’Flynn, and then on the Castlelyons side you had James Kearney and Dave Morrison – and Anto [Spillane] was the manager.” 

With a roll-call of nine Harty titles and 13 Dean Ryan victories, there is a strong heritage on which to draw – and the automatic application of high standards.

“I would say, every year, St Colman's sets out with the expectation that they can compete for a Harty title and a Dean Ryan title,” O’Driscoll says, “and that is because of the clubs that are feeding into it.” 

“Without a doubt, yeah,” says Niall O’Leary. “We wouldn't be playing otherwise.” 

The benefits are a two-way street. Niall O’Leary himself came to prominence as the driving force of the last Colman’s team to reach the Dr Harty Cup final, in 2016, and while the school enjoys the fruits of the club players’ combined labours in green and white, they in turn help their clubs as better practitioners of their art.

“Some of the clubs don’t have the numbers to be playing at Premier 1 or Premier 2 at juvenile level,” he says.

“Guys like that learn so much playing inside here, playing alongside lads who might be at higher levels with their clubs.

“You can see them when they come back to their own clubs, they're a better player.” 

On Saturday night, one set of old boys will be celebrating promotion to premier senior level. It certainly makes for an interesting week in the school, among students and staff.

“It is unique,” says Keith O’Leary, “I don't know what else to say about it, really.

“There are a few other Rovers people on the staff and it’s good – there are a few digs here and there.

“That’s part and parcel of it all.”