Corn Uí Mhuirí: Rochestown boss Liam Sheehan wants his side to 'express themselves' against Killorglin 

St Francis College Rochestown have come close from a Cork perspective to ending Kerry’s dominance in the Corn Uí Mhuirí.

Since Coláiste Chríost Rí's 2011 triumph, the competition has been dominated by the Kingdom.

Rochestown have lost the 2015 and 2023 finals as they look to add to their 1950 success.

The current group of players face Intermediate School Killorglin this afternoon at the quarter-final stage in Mallow (12.30pm).

For Rochestown manager Liam Sheehan, he wants his team to enjoy the game as they look to book their place in the last four.

“We have a strong GAA background in the school and a great history and we always want to represent the school in the best possible way,” he says.

“There’s great buy-in from everyone, but at Corn Uí Mhuirí level it’s hard to get over the line. The Cork schools are up against it every season, let's call a spade a spade, we are up against the Kerry schools who are focusing on one code.

“You have to perform on any given day to try and beat them and that’s just the reality of the situation that we are in. Here in St Francis College we are a dual school. We are delighted with that, the players love playing hurling too. 

"It’s just the time that is dedicated to it. Other schools have much more time to focus on the one code. We don’t have that luxury and we don’t use it as an excuse.

“We always throw the kitchen sink at it every year and it will be the same against Killorglin. There will be no excuses. We will give it our best shot and if it’s good enough, it’s good enough, and if it’s not, we can say that we gave it everything.

“That’s the way St Francis College have always approached it. We just plough on, it can be challenging.” 

Intermediate School Killorglin, after losing every game last season, advanced to the knockout stages in this campaign after finishing well to defeat Hamilton High School Bandon on a scoreline of 3-10 to 1-10.

Sheehan is under no illusions regarding the size of his side’s assignment. 

“I have kept an eye on match reports and Killorglin are a very balanced team,” the Rochestown boss said.

“They are strong down the middle and have some lovely forwards. Adam O’Neill in particular has been putting up massive scores in the competition. He’s going to take serious minding.

“We know exactly what we will be facing. It’s going to be a really tough task, but we are looking forward to it. The message will be the same as it has been every other week, just play as a team and express yourselves.

“It’s important that the lads give it everything for the hour. We will have a gameplan and it's a case of just sticking to that and then it will come down to what happens on the day.”