Kerry schools out in Munster Colleges action this week
Jason O’Connor
FOUR of the five Kerry schools begin their campaign in the Corn Ui Mhuiri (College ‘A’ SFC) group stages today as the event gets underway in earnest at lunchtime this afternoon. St Brendan’s Killarney, Tralee CBS and Mercy Mounthawk Tralee in particular will welcome back players from the East Kerry and St Brendans County Minor Championship sides that contested last Saturday’s county final.
A pretty much new look St Brendan’s side will want to get the defence of their title off to the best possible start as they face a High School Clonmel side that they had a convincing victory over in the Final of two seasons ago at the same venue where the game took place in Mallow.
The Sem will not play again after today for another five weeks in the competition as they have a bye in the second round of fixtures on Wednesday November 8 when the other Kerry side Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne will play their first game in the competition against Clonmel as the two Kerry sides will face off in the last round of fixtures on November 22. Whether the latter match is to determine who tops or comes out of the group at the other’s expense remains to be seen.
There is one all Kerry encounter taking place today in Farranfore and that is the Group A meeting between Mercy Mounthawk Tralee and Intermediate School Killorglin where both will want to get off to a good start in their bid to advance to the knockout stages again like both did last year. Being in a four team group does give them the chance to have an extra competitive game in contrast to the other Kerry sides being in three teams groups but it would mean at least two wins to stay involved in the competition after Christmas.
St Flannans and Rochestown will have to be contended with then by both in the remaining Group games.
The other Kerry side in action, Tralee CBS, head to a venue they got familiar with back in February in Ballyvourney as two of their three game saga in the Semi-Finals of last season’s event with Colaiste Chriost Rí were played there with St Fachtna’s of Skibbereen their opponents today at the venues near the county bounds. Like the Sem, the Green won’t play again until the third round of fixtures in five weeks time against Bandon’s Hamilton High School as the two West Cork Schools will play each other in the meantime on November 8th. In the only group not to feature a Kerry side meanwhile Chriost Rí take on Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig while Clonakilty Community College will take on De La Salle Macroom. Draws are permitted in these games but in the case of a tie for a place in the Knockout Stages, scoring difference is the determining factor in deciding who goes through.
MEANWHILE, in the Senior ‘B’ Championship (Corn Uí Nuanáin), Colaiste Na Sceilge play their first game since dropping down from Corn Uí Mhuirí against Midleton CBS in Lewis Road while there is a North Kerry derby in Finuge between St Michaels, Listowel and Tarbert Comprehensive School. Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra Rathmore have also followed Na Sceilge in dropping down from Corn Ui Mhuirí level this season although they will not play until November 8. St Pats Castleisland and Inver Sceine Kenmare will also face each other on the same day.
IN the Senior ‘C’ Championship (Corn Uí Mhurchú) St Joseph’s Ballybunion face St Declan’s, Kilmacthomas of Waterford today
MEAN Scoil Castlegregory take on another Waterford school, Ard Scoil Na Mara, Tramore in the Senior ‘D’ Championship (Corn Uí Mhaolomhnaigh).
KILLARNEY Community College make up the Kerry Schools in action today playing St Allbles in the Senior ‘E’ Championship.