Corn Uí Mhuirí: Five Cork schools in hunt for knockout spots as group stages conclude
Joe Miskella with possession for Coláiste Choilm against St Brendan's College Killarney. Picture: Larry Cummins
The Corn Uí Mhuirí has entered a decisive period in this season’s competition with the final round of group games taking place today.
There is one game that won’t be played until two weeks’ time, that is from Group 1 where High School Clonmel meet Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine Kenmare.
For the six Cork schools that are involved, five still have an opportunity of progressing to the knockout stages. Patrician Academy Mallow, semi-finalists in the 2023/24 campaign, are already eliminated.
The standout game from a Cork perspective is the Group 4 meeting of Clonakilty Community College and Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig.
The two sides will clash in Newcestown with throw-in at 1.30pm.
It has all the makings to be a very entertaining match between two honest and really good teams.
Despite having four points from their opening two games, Clonakilty Community College could be pipped on scoring difference if they were to lose and St Brendan’s College take care of Skibbereen Community School.
Micheál O’Sullivan’s charges won’t want fine margins to go against them once again in the group stage.
While a draw will also suffice for Clon, their opposition know they must win to give themselves every chance possible of qualifying.
Coláiste Choilm missed out on the business end last season after a defeat to St Francis College Rochestown. They won’t want disappointment on the final day of the group stage again.
Both Clonakilty Community College and Coláiste Choilm will also lock horns in the Simcox Cup final.
Skibbereen Community School despite being without any points still have a small chance of finishing second. First of all, they need to beat St Brendan’s on SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh's 4G pitch (1.30pm) and hope Clonakilty Community College will do them a favour. Scoring difference will then come into play.
St Francis College Rochestown’s task is quite simple in Group 1. Liam Sheehan’s side know a victory against St Flannan’s College Ennis in Rathkeale at 1pm will secure their passage into the business end.
The city school have three points on the board including a 4-8 to 1-13 victory last time out against High School Clonmel.
It was a well rounded team display with a nice spread of scorers.
In Group 2, Hamilton High School Bandon have destiny in their own hands heading into their crucial fixture with Intermediate School Killorglin in Bishopstown at 11.15am.
The West Cork outfit, who made the last four last season, know that a win will be enough to extend their Corn Uí Mhuirí campaign.
They will have to improve big time following their below-par performance a fortnight ago against Presentation Secondary School Milltown. Paddy Lordan’s team lost 1-10 to 0-3, which was a surprise after hammering Patrician Academy Mallow in the first encounter.
The latter have only pride to play for when they meet already qualified Presentation Secondary School Milltown in Banteer at 1.30pm.
St Francis College Rochestown v St Flannan’s College Ennis, Rathkeale, 1pm.
Patrician Academy Mallow v Presentation Secondary School Milltown, Banteer 4G, 1.30pm; Hamilton High School Bandon v Intermediate School Killorglin, Bishopstown 4G, 11.15am.
St Patrick’s Secondary School Castleisland v Cashel Community School, UL North Campus, 12.30pm; Mercy Mounthawk Tralee v Tralee CBS, Caherslee, 12.30pm.
Clonakilty Community College v Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig, Newcestown, 1.30pm; Skibbereen Community School v St Brendan’s College Killarney, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh 4G, 1.30pm.
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