Corn Uí Mhuirí: Second-round fixtures could prove decisive for Cork schools

The Cork schools will be looking to build on encouraging starts when the second round of the 2026/27 TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí gets underway this week.

After this season's opening round was played across a staggered programme, the competition has now reverted largely to its traditional schedule, with several Cork sides facing pivotal outings in their quest to reach the knockout stages.

St Francis College Rochestown made the perfect start in Group 1, overcoming Intermediate School Killorglin by 2-11 to 0-13. 

Last season's semi-finalists once again look capable of making a strong run in the competition and another win this week would leave Liam Sheehan's side firmly on course for the knockout stages.

Their opponents are fellow Cork representatives Mount St Michael Rosscarbery, who suffered a setback in their opener against Hamilton High School Bandon. The West Cork school, promoted from the Senior B grade after last season's success, were beaten by 2-13 to 1-9 but remain very much in contention.

An all-Cork clash therefore adds extra intrigue to Tuesday's Group 1 encounter at Bishopstown 4G. Rochestown will be aiming to make it two wins from two, while Rosscarbery know victory would throw the group wide open heading into the final round of fixtures.

Hamilton High School Bandon will be hoping to build on their impressive opening-round result when they take on Intermediate School Killorglin. The West Cork side showed their quality in overcoming Rosscarbery and another victory would significantly strengthen their hopes of progressing.

Clonakilty Community College enjoyed one of the most impressive results from a Cork perspective in Round 1. Managed by Micheál Haulie O'Sullivan, Clon emerged from a demanding trip to Banteer with a 1-16 to 2-11 victory over St Flannan's College.

That result has put the West Cork school in a strong position in Group 2, but an even sterner examination awaits against traditional powerhouse St Brendan's College, Killarney.

St Brendan's opened their campaign with a convincing 2-14 to 0-10 win over Presentation Secondary School Milltown and will enter Wednesday's clash at Bishopstown 4G carrying considerable momentum. 

Clonakilty, however, will take confidence from their own opening-day display and another positive result would leave them in an enviable position going into the final series of group fixtures.

Group 3 remains delicately poised after the all-Cork meeting between Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig and De La Salle College Macroom ended level in Clondrohid. With only three teams in the section, neither side was able to gain an early advantage and every score could prove important before the group is decided.

De La Salle return to action on Wednesday when they face CBS High School Clonmel. A victory would leave the Macroom school in a strong position ahead of the concluding round of games.

Coláiste Choilm, meanwhile, have a bye this week and will be watching developments closely before returning for their final group outing.

TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí fixtures 

Tuesday 

Group 1: Mount St Michael Rosscarbery v St Francis College Rochestown, Bishopstown 4G, 12.30pm.

Wednesday 

Group 1: Intermediate School Killorglin v Hamilton High School Bandon, 1.30pm, venue TBC.

Group 2: St Brendan's College Killarney v Clonakilty Community College, Bishopstown 4G, 1.30pm; St Flannan's College Ennis v Presentation Secondary School Milltown, 1.30pm, venue TBC.

Group 3: De La Salle College Macroom v CBS High School Clonmel, 1.30pm, venue TBC.

Bye: Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig.

Group 4: Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine Kenmare v Tralee CBS, 12.30pm, venue TBC.

Bye: Mercy Mounthawk.