The All-Ireland Colleges’ Hogan Cup Final is invariably one of the most exciting and stimulating games in the annual fixtures calendar.
But Monday’s St Patrick’s Day decider between St Patrick’s College, Maghera and St Colman’s College, Claremorris at Croke Park (1pm) will hold particular appeal given that the Derry team have played in 11 national Finals to date and won five of them while the St Colman’s side will be bidding for their first national crown.
St Patrick’s have become a major force in the competition, and if anything, the school has now become a major GAA Academy which has already spawned a small army of players who have gone on to distinguish themselves on the senior inter-county stage.
Yet while they will enter Monday’s decider hoping to make it the round half-dozen in terms of Hogan Cup triumphs, they are keenly aware that they will be fronting up to a team that has spawned a galaxy of talent that has already scaled the heights at inter-county Minor level.
The St Patrick’s side may have found the going much tougher in reaching this All-Ireland Final, but manager William McAteer believes his side will be the better for this.
“There is no doubt that with sides of the calibre of the Abbey Vocational school from Donegal coming to the fore, this has made an impact and helped the rest of us to stay on our toes,” points out McAteer.
In amassing 17 MacRory Cup triumphs, St Patrick’s have been the major force in Ulster schools’ football, and with players such as Cormac McCluskey, Finbar McShane, Daragh Doherty, Kevin Barry Mullan and Padraig Haran on duty, the team will certainly not be found wanting.
Skipper Cathal McKaigue leads by splendid example and he can be relied upon to elicit the best from those around him.
St Colman’s have progressed quietly but have nonetheless underlined their commitment and hunger in the process to such an extent that they positively relish their trip to Headquarters.
Rio Mortimer leads the way as skipper, while Darragh Beirne, Dara Flanagan and Tom Hessian are all capable players who can help their side play with fire and determination.
Indeed, St Colman’s offered a sample of what they are capable of by launching an early scoring blitz against Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar in their Semi-Final before putting their seal on an emphatic 4-04 to 1-07 victory that further enhanced their confidence ahead of their confrontation with St Patrick’s on Monday afternoon.
Manager Eoin Collins is perhaps keeping his cards close to his chest but is nonetheless hoping his side can rise to the occasion.
“This is a massive game for us, but I know that the lads will be giving it everything,” maintains Collins.
“We have to be on our toes from the outset and keep our composure, that will be essential.”