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Fri 9th Apr 2010
Hogan Cup final, Croke Park, 2.30pm Saturday :
St Colman’s Newry v. St Brendan’s Killarney
The celebrations that followed St Brendan’s Killarney’s 20th victory in Corn Uí Mhuirí a month ago were probably surpassed in Casement Park 10 days later when St Colman’s Newry won their 18th MacRory Cup, but the Kerry side was perhaps back then showing a steely resolve in their attempt on a third Hogan crown.
Some of the older members of their team experienced the heartache of Hogan final defeat two years ago when they lost by 1-9 to 1-7 to St Patrick’s Dungannon and last year they watched their neighbours Colaiste na Sceilge go all the way to a first ever title.
St Brendan’s were twice Hogan champions – in 1969 and 1992, with John O’Keefe and Seamus Moynihan the stand-out names respectively.
This year’s team has current Footballer of the Year Paul Galvin alongside Gary McGrath coaching them.
They defeated Macroom by a single point 1-12 to 2-8 in Corn Ui Mhuiri final after having the same margin to spare over the All-Ireland champions in the semi-final.
Then a week before St Colman’s easily took out St Gerald’s Castlebar in their semi-final, St Brendan’s beat Colm O’Rourke’s St Patrick’s Navan side by 3-7 to 0-10.
Captain Chris O’Leary hit two first half goals in that game, the first from the penalty spot as the Sem built up a wind-assisted 2-5 to 0-3 interval lead. They killed off the Meath side with a goal on the re-start and O’Leary was again involved.
There were also impressive performances from Colm Tobin, Gary O’Leary and Bryan O’Shea while sub David O’Sullivan chipped over the last two points in his 8 minute cameo performance.
A bit like St Colman’s use of Ross McGarry. The 2009 Down minor captain’s participation has been restricted to late second half entrances by a back injury, but he has generally managed to pick off a score or two – including a goal last time out.
The word is that McGarry is unlikely to start but is a lot fitter than he has been for the previous games and will give Cathal Murray and his management team more options up front.
The front six have been very impressive to date with the speed of the inside line complementing the ball-winning and strong running of Chris Clarke and Caolan Mooney in the half-forward line.
Conor Gough missed the MacRory semi-final through suspension but he has returned to dominate the middle with captain Niall McParland.
At the back there is a lot of pace as well as an astute reading of the game that has left goalie Matthew McNeice with little action. They have looked a little vulnerable under the high ball against St Patrick’s Armagh and again last time out when the St Gerald’s goal came from bombing the full-back line.
St Brendan’s, as we have noted, have shown an eye for goal but in general they have tended to work the ball into goal-scoring situations.
Another plus for St Colman’s has been the options provided by a strong bench.
McGarry’s contribution has overshadowed that of 15-year-old Shea McCartan, son of former Down star John, who impressed when he came into the MacRory final, as did Eamon Lynch who was the regular centre-half back up until the Omagh game.
St Colman’s have impressed in every game in the knock-out stages, particularly in the final quarter, when their fitness destroyed opponents’ hopes of sticking with them.
Killarney’s first half goals put Navan on the back foot, but if the Ulster champions are within striking distance near the close, I would fancy them to hit the scores that will see them to their seventh Hogan Cup and a fourth for Ulster schools in the past five seasons.
St Colman’s (probable) : M McNeice, S McGreevy, N Donnelly, R Lively, R Johnston, P Hillen, P Lively, N McParland capt., C Gough, D O’Hare, C Clarke, C Mooney, C Stevenson, J Johnston, T McGreevy.
Subs : J McAleavey, E Magee, S McCartan, K Haughey, E Lynch, M Garvey, R McGarry, D Sherry, C O’Neill, D O’Higgins, P Carty, J McNally, S O’Hare, P Matthews, S McArdle, K O’Hagan, P Casey, N Smyth, C Curran, JJ McLoughlin.
St Brendan’s (probable) : D Gleeson, E O’Sullivan, S McCarthy, C Davies, C Fitzgerald, C Tobin, D O’Leary, P Lucey, G O’Leary, T Moriarty, B Falvey, C O’Leary, B O’Shea, S Keane, J O’ Donoghue.
Submitted by: Seamus McAleenan
