Corn Uí Mhuirí team-by-team guide, and the starlets to watch out for, in Munster Colleges SFC
: Ronan Buckley, Seán O’Shea, Seán O’Regan, Johnny O’Sullivan.
Liam O’Sullivan (Kenmare Shamrocks).
: A ground-breaking first Corn Uí Mhuirí campaign went all the way to the semi-finals. They progressed as group runners-up behind Hamilton HS. Then, a sensational 3-1 final-quarter blitz swung a preliminary quarter-final shoot-out against St Pat’s, Castleisland. It was a more controlled showing to dismiss Patrician Academy before their odyssey was ended by the Sem. Almost half of their starting team returns.
Liam O’Sullivan (Kenmare Shamrocks) has featured in the Kerry SFC for his club. He will be a powerful and athletic presence at centre-back. Jack Sweeney (Kenmare Shamrocks) was a standout performer in the knockout rounds last year. The tight-marking defender is expected to fill the full-back berth this term. The sublime long-range shooting of Micheál O’Mahony (Templenoe), kicking four two-pointers against the Sem, was a highlight of their narrow O’Sullivan Cup loss.
: Having exceeded expectations on their competition debut, Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine will be seeking to consolidate with a team built around their Munster U17B champions of 2023/24. They are down several key players from last year, but enough of their current crop received top-level exposure to hope for a repeat run.
: Liam Sheehan, Eoghan Buckley, Liam Ó Murchú.
: Dara O’Sullivan (Nemo Rangers).
Copy and paste from the previous campaign. Roco emerged as group runners-up before colliding with eventual champions Mercy Mounthawk at the quarter-final stage. Roco lashed in four late goals to take the edge off the scoreline. Their penchant for green flags was equally evident in the group stage, scoring three in victories over St Flannan’s and Coláiste Choilm, and one in defeat to the Sem. Seven starters remain.
: Dara O’Sullivan (Nemo Rangers) captains the side, having been ever-present in their attack last year. The 2024 Cork minor scored 1-3 against Flannan’s. Jack O’Brien (Douglas) is a county minor hurler who possesses a big engine to make him an effective midfielder. He showed his eye for goal in netting against Flannan’s. Evan Cummins (Cobh) is a talented and athletic half-back who has also featured on Cobh Ramblers’ youth teams.
: Hoping to continue a robust record of progression from the group stage. In that regard, the majority of last year’s forward line return in O’Sullivan, Ben Corkery-Delaney (Carrigaline), Pádraig McGrath, and Mark O’Brien (both Douglas). They are joined further back the field by the Douglas trio of Liam Kelleher, Joe Mouret, and Jack O’Brien. Four of those have represented the Cork minor footballers.
: Gary Brennan, Colm Dillon, Joe O’Connor, Kieran Sweeney, Ikem Ugwueru, Mark Ó Domhnaill.
: Conor Hill (Lissycasey).
Completed a winless group stage campaign, with the closest call a two-point defeat against Coláiste Choilm. The Ennis school led for the majority of that meeting before being reeled in. Other losses came against repeat group-stage opponents Roco and the Sem. The latter dead-rubber contest was used to blood many of this year’s panel.
Conor Hill (Lissycasey) was a standout defensive performer for the Clare U20 footballers this year and filled the full-back jersey for Flannan’s last term. Dara Kennedy (Clondegad) anchored the Clare minor hurlers’ run to an All-Ireland final, but is just as talented a footballer in the forwards. Danny Lyne (Éire Óg Ennis) is an emerging attacker from this year’s Banner minors who can make the step up to Corn Uí Mhuirí level.
: Something of an unknown quantity. The Flannan’s footballers have worked with the Harty Cup hurlers to conduct combined sessions this year, although some dual players have opted to focus on the small ball. They will still be drawing on around a half-dozen cross-code stars. The school hasn’t won a Corn Uí Mhuirí match since reaching the quarter-finals three years ago, so the immediate aim is to reclaim that strong track record by getting a win on the board.
: Paddy O’Gorman, Ciarán Barrett, David Power.
Luke Hannigan (Clonmel Óg) and Mikey McGuire (Kilsheelan-Kilcash).
: Their Munster B campaign was ended at the semi-final stage, falling one point short of Coláiste na Sceilge. However, there was better news in the U17 B grade, where the High School bridged a 55-year gap to reclaim Munster honours. That result was the basis for their ascent into Corn Uí Mhuirí company, while their hurlers simultaneously made the jump into the Harty Cup.
: Killian Smith (Clonmel Commercials) featured at centre-forward for the county minors this year, scoring the clinching point in the Darrel Darcy Cup final. His brother, Cian, is a Tipperary senior. Luke Hannigan (Clonmel Óg) fielded with the Tipp minors last year. An athletic and versatile footballer, he could play anywhere in the middle eight. Andrew Ryan (The Nire) has completed consecutive seasons anchoring the full-back line for the Waterford minors and captained Clonmel’s U17 Munster champions.
: Backed by their work with local clubs, the High School are out to prove there are quality footballers in Tipperary and Waterford. To that end, the aim is to keep on an upward curve by contending for the top two places. An opening-day meeting with Flannan’s will be key for both schools. The added expertise of David Power is a boost to their young team. Eight or nine likely starters were in Harty action as they compete at the top grade in both codes.
: Paddy Lordan (manager), John O'Sullivan, Noel Griffin, Gavin Kelleher.
Ben Coffey (Clonakilty).
They reached the semi-final courtesy of a nine-point victory over Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, but their campaign ended with defeat to eventual champions Mercy Mounthawk. Hammies topped their group following wins over Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh and Inbhear Sceine Kenmare, drew with Clonakilty CC.
Ben Coffey (Clonakilty). Donagh Flynn (Ibane Gaels) and Eoin Maguire (Castlehaven). All three players were regular starters for the Cork minor footballers this year and they will be looking for big performances from all three if they are to enjoy similar success to last year.
: Preparations have been hampered somewhat due to many clubs still being involved in various competitions but they will be hugely boosted by Tuesday’s opening round 2-16 to 0-9 win over Patrician Academy Mallow in Round 1. A first Cork PPS Simcox Cup claimed earlier this year will give confidence.
: Mícheál O'Shea, John Buckley, Chris Flannery.
: Éanna Murphy (Listry).
This was their first time competing in the Corn Uí Mhuirí in a number of years. With a young team they lost to Patrician Academy Mallow, CBS Mitchelstown and DLS Macroom but gained much valuable experience and have a high retention of players from that squad.
: 2004 Kerry minor Éanna Murphy (Listry) - and brother of Kerry senior panellist RuairI Murphy. Adam O'Neill (Laune Rangers) is another from the county minor setup in 2024. Giovanni McCarthy (Cromane) is a teak-tough corner-back.
: Earlier this month ISK reached the O’Sullivan Cup (Kerry PPS SFC) semi-final before losing to St Brendan’s College. Contested the Frewen Cup (U17) semi-final last year against Clonakilty CC. Progress being made. Getting out of the group is the aim. An opening day fixture against Presentation SS Milltown will focus the mind.
: Eamon O'Connor, Mark Lenihan, James McGlade
: Paddy Murphy (Mallow).
: Cian Cooney (Clyda Rovers) and Niall Feaheny (Killavullen)
: The Academy got the better of IS Killorglin and Mitchelstown CBS, and their game with De La Salle Macroom ended in stalemate. They finished top of their group on score difference and duly booked their place in the quarter-final where Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare proved too strong.
: Ben O'Shea (Mallow), Aaron Murphy (Mallow) and Ryan Crowley (Kilshannig) were all members of the Cork minor football panel in 2024 and that experience should stand to them.
For a school that only returned to the Corn Uí Mhuirí two years ago, they made an instant impact, qualifying for the semi-final and quarter-final in successive years. Bearing in mind, a Cork school hasn’t won this competition since Coláiste Chríost Rí in 2011, their prospects of progressing out of the group have already dimmed in the wake of Tuesday’s defeat to Bandon.
: Brian Crowley, Gavan O’Grady, Eoin Fitzgerald Captain: Diarmuid Quirke (Milltown-Castlemaine)
: In an all-Kerry group of three and with a youthful team, they lost their opening match to Tralee CBS and then faced a straight shoot-out with Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne for second place. A draw would have sufficed as they had the better scoring difference, but they lost by a single point so unlucky not to make the knockouts.
: Kerry minor wing-back Marcus Clifford (Firies). Captain Diarmuid Quirke in midfield has experience playing senior club championship. Killian Fitzgerald (Listry) will be the main scoring threat, and while still young, has huge potential to make it as a county minor next year.
: Nine of last year’s team are available which should stand to them in what appears to be a tight group. Aiming to reach a quarter final for first time in the school's short history in the competition. Mid Kerry derby game with near neighbours ISK in the first round will be key.
: Liam O’Sullivan, Alan O’Sullivan, Marc Ó Sé
: Máirtín McKivergan (Ballymac), Fionnán Ryan (Austin Stacks)
: Runners-up two years ago and beaten in the quarter finals last year by St. Brendan's Killarney, after topping their group. The 16-time champions will be hoping to go further this year based on their back to back Frewen Cup wins of 2023/2024.
Ronan Carroll (Austin Stacks), Máirtín McKivergan (Ballymac), Gearoid White (John Mitchels).
Ronan Carroll was Kerry U20 this year, has recently played senior county championship with the Stacks and is a free scoring forward. Máirtín McGivergan-played a key role for Ballymac seniors in their victorious Junior Premier campaign.White, a prodigious talent, two-year minor, captained the Kerry inors 2025 that lost narrowly to Tyrone in the All-Ireland final.
They have eight survivors from last year’s starting team, plus a plethora of subs, while adding Nick Lacey and Gearoid White to the forward line this year. They have reached the O’Sullivan Cup Final in Kerry with relative ease beating Mounthawk in the semis by nine points without six starters including Carroll, White, Pat Brosnan and Nick Lacey, so they must be the pre-tournament favourites. The Green should top this group and go on and win the final. It is difficult to see them being stopped.
: Aidan O'Shea, Luke Mulligan, Kieran Costello.
Ruairi Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)
: Added to their 2024 maiden Corn Ui Mhuiri, by claiming the 2025 addition, with a win over St Brendan’s College Killarney. They lost out in the Hogan Cup semi final to eventual winners St Pats Maghera. But this is basically a new team that has lost 11 of last year’s starting team, including star names like Ben Murphy, Paddy Lane, Daniel Kirby, Tomas Kennedy and Ben Sharp.
David Sargent (John Mitchels) was centre back on both last year’s winning team and 2025 Kerry Minor team who reached the All Ireland Final. David is a ball playing centre back with excellent defensive instincts and is also plays rugby for the Munster U-18’s and was recently chosen on the Irish International U-18’s Club squad.
Ruairi Kennedy (Kerins O Rahilly’s). He was Kerry Minor net minder in 2025. He produced several big performances throughout last year’s winning campaign. He is an excellent goalkeeper and a leader who provides a steady presence within the team.
Alex Tuohy (Austin Stacks). He was wing forward for both school and the Kerry minor teams of 2025. Alex is an exceptional athlete who contributes with scores and endless work rate. He also can fetch kick-outs or breaking ball and Mounthawk will be depending on him to provide fodder to his attackers.
: Mercy Mounthawk possess a very young panel this year with only 4 Leaving Cert’ s starting in their O Sullivan Cup campaign. Management will be looking to develop, and to give younger players exposure at this level. Mounthawk will be targeting trying to emerge from the group stages, in what looks to be a strong group. But it appears the glory days of the last couple of years will need a few more years to get back to.
: Pa McCarthy, John Forrest and John O’Sullivan.
Michael Horan (Scartaglen)
: Last year was only St Pat’s second year in the Corn Ui Mhuiri having won the All-Ireland C Football title the previous year and they were in a group with Mercy Mounthawk who topped the group. St Pat’s then met the Seanie O’Shea coached Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine in the Preliminary quarterfinal in December and lost out to a tremendous Inbhear Sceine second half comeback, conceding three goals in the process.
: Killian Dennehy (Cordal), Michael Horan (Scartaglen) and Shane Kelliher (Cordal).
Midfielder Killian Dennehy was a star Kerry minor footballer and also was a regular with the Kerry U20s in 2025. He was also in with the Kerry seniors this year in the extended training panel. He is one of Kerry’s brightest young prospects and has won two MFC medals with St Kieran’s. Micheal Horan is another who has won back to back county minor titles with St Kieran’s and has been involved with St Pat’s successes up along. He has an eye for goal and combines well with Dennehy. Shane Kelliher is another of the St Kieran’s minor winning teams but his Kerry minor year was plagued by injury. He plays senior with his club and is a top class defender who can play full-back or wingback.
Having learned plenty from last year’s loss to PS Inbhear Sceine, St Pat’s Castleisland will be hoping to go one step further and make the knock-out stages, probably by finishing runners up to Tralee CBS in the group The three stars will be joined by Liam O’Connor, Ruairi Brosnan Ciaran O’Connell along with Micheal Hickey. A lot of this group would have played in the 2024 Frewen Final against Tralee CBS and while this looks like being their best chance to play post-Christmas in the competition yet, they will need to beat Mounthawk and Cashel CS.
: Robbie Costigan, Paddy Carroll and Anthony Roche Captain: Charlie Walsh (Fethard)
: Cashel Community School were playing B Football and won the Munster B competition beating Kerry side Coláiste Na Sceilge 1-8 to 1-5 in the final with Niall Hallissey scoring the key goal. They have made the transition this year to A football but have been very unlucky to be drawn with three of Kerry’s four top schools.
: Charlie Walsh (Fethard), Noah O Flynn (Fethard) and Shane Cooney (Cleihan)
Charlie Walsh is a dual star and was on the Harty Cup side that lost narrowly last week to Árdscoil Rís. He scored a penalty in their loss to Arravale Rovers in the U19A Football final and is regular goal scorer in both codes. Fethard’s Noah O’Flynn was on the same team that lost U-19A football final the weekend before last and then captained the hurlers on Wednesday on that loss to Árdscoil Rís. Shane Cooney is from Cleihan and scored 0-7 for the hurlers and is a very accurate free taker.
: The fact it is roughly the same panel of players for both Harty Cup and Corn Ui Mhuiri is making life very difficult for Cashel CS in their maiden voyage. It’s a big challenge doing both at A grade and only St Flannan’s appeared to have been able to do it back in the day. Eight starters from the B-winning team last year are gone and they are in prbably the toughest group. The ambition is to get out of group, but they realise it’s a huge ask with this draw.
Kieran Herlihy, Arthur Fitzgerald, Diarmuid O’Callaghan, Mike Leahy, Dónal O’Doherty, Tadhg Doolan.
: Cian Mulcahy (Dr Crokes).
Beaten finalists. Defending champions Mercy Mounthawk were too strong in the all-Kerry decider of 2025. Lost by seven at Lewis Road that day against a side featuring the likes of Tomás Kennedy, Paddy Lane and Ben Murphy Three key players: Kacper Robak (Dr Crokes), Cian Mulcahy (Dr Crokes), Ben Kelliher (Dr Crokes).
: As a traditional Corn Uí Mhuirí powerhouse, The Sem’s goals will never fluctuate too much. Certainly won’t look past the group stages, but will aim to go very deep into the competition. First up is a meeting with Clonakilty CC in Cill na Martra. Win that and they will feel confident of marching on from there. Kacper Robak will be between the sticks once more, while Kerry underage marksman Ben Kelliher’s star is likely to shine even brighter this year. Centre-forward Joey McCarthy of Spa was prominent last year, scoring 0-5 in the final defeat.
: Denis Keohane, Darren Farry.
: Kevin O’Leary (Ballincollig).
: Failed to get out of the group after losing to St Francis College, Rochestown by a goal in a winner-takes-all final round clash. Gave themselves too much to do by falling 11 behind in the second-half.
Had lost to St Brendan’s – who they face once again this year – and beaten St Flannan’s prior.
: Danny Miskella (Ballincollig), Sean Patrick Murphy (Eire Óg), Cian O’Connor (Ballincollig).
: Backboned by a successful Ballincollig minor squad. Denis Keohane will be able to call upon over 10 starters from the Village’s Premier 1 minor team that beat Glanmire to win the county title. Danny Miskella – who scored 0-8 in that decider, is an obvious standout – the Cork underage star may miss the early parts of the group stage due a knock – but Keohane will be hoping others can chip in with scores in his absence. Cian Ahern and Sean Patrick Murphy will be key to that.
: Micheál ‘Haulie’ O’Sullivan, Tadgh Keating, Mike ‘Haulie’ O’Neill, Pat Gilmore.
Sean Whelton (St James) Last year: Were unlucky not to get out of the group, and will feel like they left opportunities to play post-Christmas Corn Uí Mhuirí football behind them. Conceded goals against Kenmare in defeat and had a late chance to win the drawn games against Hamilton HS, Bandon. Both Kenmare and Hammies went deep into the competition thereafter.
: Sean Whelton (St James), Oisin Harrington (Kilmeen), Dylan Harrington (Clonakilty).
: Over half of the starting team from last year has departed. However, their run to the Frewen Cup final last term against St Brendan’s, Killarney – which they lost on a 2-13 to 0-11 scoreline – means the talent is still coming. Captain Sean Whelton – who was a Cork minor in 2023 – will once again be key for his side, as will his teammates on that Cork team, the above-mentioned Harringtons – Dylan and Oisin. Midfielder/half-forward Dylan was also a prominent member of Ray O’Mahony’s under-20 side earlier this year.
: Rónán O’Driscoll, James McCarthy, and Paudie Crowley.
Paddy Collins (Ilen Rovers).
: Another school that failed to get past the group stage in 2024/25, having only won one fixture – that being their third and last meeting of the group. While impressive that afternoon against Abbey CBS, their qualification fate had already been sealed by earlier defeats.
: Alan Daly (O’Donovan Rossa), Niall O’Callaghan (Castlehaven), Danny O’Donovan (Castlehaven).
They find themselves in a really tough group – but will be eager to get the better of Clonakilty CC in the West Cork derby clash. A third of the starting team remain from last year, inclusive of Haven duo Niall O’Callaghan and Danny O’Donovan. The latter is a real scoring threat, while O’Callaghan was a member of Keith Ricken’s Cork minor team this summer.
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