A young PCDcan prevail over The Green

Tralee CBS v PS Chorca Dhuibhne Saturday, February 24 Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney Throw-in at

WHILE neutrals might be more focussed on the battle of wits between former inter-county teammates on the sideline, there is so much more to this Saturday’s Corn Uí Mhuiri decider for the players involved. Indeed, CBS manager Marc Ó Sé made the point that the greater knowledge of the opposition at this level comes from the players themselves as opposed to management as they have encountered each other at Development Squad and club level.

Ó Sé’s opposite number Eamonn Fitzmaurice also feels there is a sense of ‘giving back’ amongst the high profile figures in the county involved with schools sides at the moment in terms of wanting to bring on the next generation to not just for their schools but also the wider picture of Kerry football.

The rivalry (as much as you can call it that) between these schools stems from the younger age levels as opposed to Corn Uí Mhuirí level. CBS had the initial success but Pobalscoil have put themselves to the forefront again with last year’s Paul McGirr success. One club is at the heart of the dynamic between these two schools, Annascaul. Traditionally CBS sides featured names from the club quite regularly but with over time Pobalscoil has become a more viable option for students from the area and in Colm Ó Muircheartaigh, Gearóid Ó Leidhinn and Cillian Ó Failbhe, they have three players capable of tipping in favour of any game in a team they are representing.

Pobalscoil’s route to this final saw a big win over Clonmel and a draw with The Sem in the group stages followed by a quarter-final win over IS Killorglin and a second win over The Sem in the semi-finals. CBS needed points difference to get out of their group after a win over Skibbereen and a defeat to Bandon pre-Christmas. They have genuinely improved since the group stage with the wins over St Flannans and Ballincollig with Sean Quilter very much at the heart of what they are doing, but how much those improvements lead to an ending of an 11-year wait on Saturday is hard to say.

One feels the aces are with Pobalscoil with the proven ability of their players (the Paul McGirr) and their mentors (Fitzmaurice and Tommy Griffin) as The Green still lack the marquee success to hold up to either Pobalscoil or The Sem’s achievements in recent years. This is their best chance to do it with the younger age profile of Pobalscoil but success like in a Paul McGirr can lead to more success generally at underage level.

Verdict: PS Corcha Dhuibhne