The Green and The Sem to contest Taft Cup final before County SFC Final

CORN AN BHRÁTHAIR CHOILM TAFT FINAL

Tralee CBS v St Brendan’s Killarney

Sunday, November 10 Austin Stack Park at 1.30pm

TRALEE CBS were the first Kerry school to claim the Corn Uí Mhoráin, back in 1986, but they last claimed a Munster U-15 1/2 title back in 2005 – they have seven titles in all. St. Brendans didn’t win one until 1988, but they won eleven Moran Cups in total. When the competition was re-named in 2014, St. Brendans won the 2015 and 2016 titles St. Brendans won the 2015 and 2016. They lost the Taft Final in 2017 to St. Flannans, while IS Killorglin were beaten in last year’s final by St. Francis Rochestown.

However, this year Kerry have been the form teams and it’s no surprise to see the two Kerry schools with the strongest records – and a rivalry that dates back the bones of a century now – face off in the final. The last time the two schools met at this grade, it was the 2016 Final, and the Sem prevailed on a 4-13 to 2-9 scoreline.

Tralee CBS have clocked up good wins over Kerry opposition. They saw off IS Killorglin by 3-13 to 1-6 and then blew PS Chorca Dhuibhne away by 6-9 to 2-7. Even if both opposition teams were missing a few key players on the day, nine goals in two games is formidable shooting.

It’s a strong defence as well, anchored by Kerry Development Squad keeper Seán Collins and Jake Foley. Togor Silong in midfield started on the school’s Russell Cup winning team last April (Jake Foley came on as a substitute) and he has great backing in Dylan Buckley. Up front Tralee CBS have the potential to be lethal, with the likes of Kerry Development Squad forward darragh Cunnane prowling around the square.

One of the most bizarre results this year was the opening game of the Corn Taft, when St. Flannans absolutely destroyed a Críost Rí side who were obviously playing in the wrong grade (they failed to raise a single flag, the days of the great Críost Rí mentor Br. Colm Taft have been affected by demographic changes). St. Brendans were entitled, then, to feel a bit their nervous about their opening encounter with the Ennis school. However, the Sem prevailed on a 4-19 to 5-6 scoreline, even if the concession of four first half goals must be a worry for them.

Given the Green’s goal-scoring, Sem keeper Shay O’Meara is likely to be called into action more than once, but he is a top quality keeper. Outside him the likes of Keelan O’Shea, Cillian O’Connor, and Jack Fogarty are rock solid defenders. The Sem have a strong midfield pairing of Mikey Lynch and Eoghan Kelly, but their real strength lies in a great forward unit that includes Padraic Moynihan, Timmy Moynihan, Alex Hennigan, and Robbie Harnett.

With this being the first Munster Final for most of these young players, it’s impossible to predict a winner, but a cracking contest is guaranteed in Austin Stack Park on Sunday.