Presentation Athenry aim for first Croke Cup title at sixth attempt

Galway schools reaching the Croke Cup final is no longer unusual but winning the decider is still a rarity

Presentation College Athenry face St Kieran's College in the Croke Cup final on St Patrick's Day. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

There was a time - not very long ago at all - when a Galway school appearing in the Croke Cup final was something of a novelty. And while a Galway school lifting the Croke Cup is still firmly ensconced in rare and novel territory, their annual involvement is now almost expected.

Tuesday's opening decider of the Croke Park double-bill, for the fourth March in succession, features a Galway hurling nursery. For Presentation Athenry, today marks their third final appearance of the past four seasons. Throw in the 2018 and ‘19 runs and the Athenry college has been in five of the past seven finals.