Cavan test for St Brendans’ semi-final

PAUL MCGIRR CUP SEMI-FINAL

FOR the fourth consecutive year St Brendans College Killarney embark on an All-Ireland campaign at Post-Primary level, this time it’s the Paul McGirr Cup like back in 2015 with the two Hogan Cup successes of the past two years sandwiched in between.

The Sem have won the Hogan Cup four times now but the Paul McGirr is still to come their way despite reaching the 2015 decider where Good Counsel of New Ross got the better of that year’s side in Clonmel. In 2015 they faced an Ulster side also at the semi-final stage in St Marys Clady where they registered a formidable 5-25 in a 35 defeat of the Derry side.

It’s unlikely that this present group will have it as easy this Saturday when they face St Pats of Cavan in a match that will provide a historical throwback to the 1972 Hogan Cup Final between the schools which the Breffni side won against a St Brendans side featuring Pat Spillane and the late Paidí Ó Sé.

The Cavan side have more recent history with a Kerry school losing the 2015 Hogan Cup semi-final to Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne after extra-time but this is a well-regarded Ulster side who won the Ulster equivalent of the Frewen Cup before Christmas in the form of the Rannafast Cup.

The Sem’s campaign hadn’t even started at that stage but it will be interesting to see where the shorter run-in The Sem have had to the Paul McGirr as opposed to the two and a half month wait St Pats have had to compete at this level is the preparation for Saturday.