Simcox Cup final: Clonakilty looking for a historic first title 

Clonakilty Community College booked their spot in the knockout stages of the Corn Uí Mhuirí last Wednesday.

The West Cork side defeated Coláiste Choilm in what was pretty much a winner-takes-all Group 4 Round 3 contest.

Clonakilty Community College won easily enough in the end on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-6 played in tough conditions in Newcestown.

Micheál O’Sullivan’s charges now face the same opposition tomorrow in the Simcox Cup final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh's main pitch (6pm).

They will go into that with a pep in their step after the win last week.

“It's big for us getting out as the No 1 seeds in our group and qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Corn Uí Mhuirí,” O’Sullivan says.

“We'll be playing beyond Christmas, which is great for us. We have a very good group of players. 

“We’re in the Frewen Cup final as well. There's a lot of players in common across all the teams. We're loving the quality of players that we have, good honest lads.

“It's our first time in our history that we've topped a group with six points in the Corn Uí Mhuirí.” 

Football is thriving in Clonakilty Community College this season. Why has it all come together now for them?

“A combination of things really,” the former Cork minor football boss said.

“We have a very good group of players, very good coaching staff, great support from the school management and the local clubs and look, football is going well in the school in general.

“We are in three finals. It’s great for the development of the players. There’s just a great buzz around the school when you win matches.” 

It should be a great occasion at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow in what is the first Simcox Cup final to be played at the famous stadium.

Also, Clonakilty Community College are going for their first title in this particular competition.

They will have to beat Coláiste Choilm though for a second time in nine days.

“We’re really looking forward to this final and we're well aware of what’s on the line. It will be a totally different game to the game in Newcestown, two totally different quality of pitches.

"I can guarantee you there were three or four lads from both sides that didn’t play in the Corn Uí Mhuirí game last week and I'd expect all of them to be back for this final.

“It's a huge occasion for the players and kudos to the county board for finally marking the Simcox Cup final by taking it into the main pitch in Cork and it’s great that it’s a double-header with the O’Callaghan Cup final.

“It's going to be a brilliant occasion for the players and for their parents and for the four schools involved.”