Clare schools and players continue in national action

CBS Ennistymon’s historic dual run is set to continue this weekend when the Munster Senior C Post-Primary Schools double champions enter the All-Ireland C series at the penultimate stage, writes Eoin Brennan.

Taking on the Ulster champions over the next two Saturday’s, first up for the North Clare school is a football showdown with Donegal’s St Columbia’s Stranorlar who only secured their first ever provincial title on Tuesday evening. This fixture is set for this Saturday, weather permitting.

In a dominant display aided greatly by 1-7 from targetman Niall McCormack, the breakthrough champions kept Cavan’s Virginia College at arm’s length throughout to record a 1-13 to 0-06 victory.

Seven days later, CBS Ennistymon will take on Antrim’s St Killian’s College in the hurling version, the same day as Harty Cup champions St Joseph’s Tulla commence their Croke Cup campaign with a semi-final clash with roll of honours leaders St Kieran’s College.

Despite not reaching the Leinster decider, the Kilkenny superpower received a reprieve to win a provincial play-off and maintained that momentum to edge out Gort Community College by 1-13 to 1-10 in their All-Ireland Senior A Hurling Quarter-Final in Cappamore on Saturday.

Despite strong leadership from captain Keith Smyth (Killanena) who finished with 1-7 including a last gasp goaled 20 metre free, time simply ran out on Gort’s brave challenge, with Harry Shine’s 41st minute penalty the decisive score for St Kieran’s.

Unfortunately, the second quarter-final between Connacht champions Presentation Athenry and Ardscoil Rís in Ballyea was abandoned due to an injury sustained by an Athenry player entering the final ten minutes.

At the time, the Limerick college, backed by a 14-strong Clare contingent, were leading by 0-13 to 0-11, with Éire Óg official Niall Malone making the sensible decision to call off the game after almost an 40 minute delay in inclement conditions.

The rematch is set to be scheduled for this weekend.

Football

Dr Eamonn O’Sullivan Cup (All-Ireland Senior C Post-Primary Schools Championship)
Semi-Finals
(Saturday, February 26, 2pm)
CBS Ennistymon v St Columbia’s Stranorlar (Donegal) (provisional);
St Paul’s College Oughterard (Galway) v Heywood Community School (Laois)

Hurling
Dr. Croke Cup (All-Ireland Senior A Post-Primary Schools Championship)
Quarter-Finals
St Kieran’s College (Kilkenny) 1-13 Gort Community School (Galway) 1-10
Presentation Athenry (Galway) v Ardscoil Rís (Limerick)
(Abandoned)
Semi-Finals
(Saturday, March 5)
St Joseph’s Tulla v St Kieran’s College (Kilkenny)
Good Counsel College (Wexford) v Presentation Athenry (Galway) or Ardscoil Rís (Limerick)

Final at Croke Park
(Thursday, March 17)

Michael Cusack Cup (All-Ireland Senior C Post-Primary Schools Championship)
Semi-Finals
(Saturday, March 5)
CBS Ennistymon v St Killian’s College (Antrim)
Connacht v Coláiste Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac (Offaly)