Kerry Colleges

The Sem could win their third Hogan Cup

April 6th, 2010
by Weeshie Fogarty

 It promises to be a cracking encounter in Croke Park next Saturday when St Brendan's and St Coleman's race on to the green sward of Croke park to do battle for the famed Hogan Cup symbol of all that is great and good in colleges football. And what wonderful opportunity it is for all of those young men to show their great skills and footballing ability in that magnificent stadium. For most if not all it is their dream come true. That dream which we all experienced as young boys growing up, just to play in Croke Park at some time of our lives and if possible to win an All Ireland medal. And then there is the added spice of another Kerry and Tyrone clash and this following Kerry's recent dramatic defeat to the Northerners in the league game in Newry. Make no mistake about it but a win for the Sem over the Down lads would add an extra bit of satisfaction the mix.

The Hogan Cup was first inaugurated in 1946 and is named in the memory of Brother Thomas Hogan. The Hogan Stand in Croke Park is named after his brother Michael Hogan. Since its beginning there has been two different cups presented. The original cup was last presented in 1960, and now resides in St Jarlaths College with a newly designed cup replacing it in 1961. St Jarlaths the famed Galway College head the list of overall winners with twelve wins and next weeks opponents of The Sem are second with six victories. St Brendan's have just two wins to their name, 1969-92. This must be considered a poor return for such a college that has seen some of the most illustrious Kerry players pass through is doors.  You must take this in context when you consider that the Killarney college has won twenty Munster Cups while St Coleman's have a far better  return of All Ireland wins having won eighteen Mac Rory Cups the symbol of Ulster college football since it was first competed for in 1925.

Kerry have never beaten Down in the championship in Croke Park. Now this clash between the Kerry and Down colleges will revive many of those great occasions in the early sixties when the two counties clashed and the victory always went to the Mourn men. So it promises to be a cracking match and the Sem will have to come out of the traps as they say at full speed and fifteen guns blazing. The big danger with under age teams is that the occasion can get to them and the history and traditions of Croke Park might weight heavily on some young men's shoulders and before you know it the game will have passed you by and the opposition will have raced into a winning lead. However I don't believe this will happen this year with the Sem. Garry McGrath will have his charges well prepared and in all their games so far they have come very strong in the closing seven minutes or so.  And then there is the influence of Paul Galvin also a side line mentor with the Killarney lads. . I firmly believe that this game will be won or lost on the mental attitude shown by one or the other of the two colleges.

And it is here that the Kerry star will have his pupils will versed as to what is required of them in their attitude and approach to the hour. In my opinion the Finuge man is one of the most focused and tunnel vision as regards his preparations as you will meet in any sport. I am reliably informed that he has done great work behind the scenes in getting the lads in the proper frame of mind for all games in the march to Croke Park.  How important is all of this? Well we have seen it down through the year and as late as last week out under twenty ones were I believe caught on the hop by Tipperary in this respect. It took the Kerry lads some time to realize that defeat was staring them in the face and it was only when they came out for the second half that they began to perform with the ruthless attitude required to win big championship matches.

Make no mistake about it but this St Colman's side is good and superbly prepared for the battle. Cathal Murray is their manager. A man with a great reputation up North.  Its his first time winning a Mac Rory Cup and at the first time of asking. He has the ability to draw on a wealth of playing experience at senior level and this vast experience allows him to understand the psychology of these young players in the heat of battle.  He stated recently. "No stone has been left unturned. In early October the boys started weight training which was tailored for their individual needs. I also insisted they use the ice baths immediately after training and I was delighted to have the expertise of my close friend Martin Clarke who kept us up to date on all the best physiological practice in training and preparation".

Kerry under age football that is at minor level in recent years has suffered some heart breaking defeats, now it is up to the young men of St Brendan's College to continue Kerry's great Croke Park winning tradition. Colaiste Na Skellige did it and I see no reason what so ever why the Killarney boys can not follow in their footsteps. I have no doubt that it has been driven in hard and often that it will take a mighty fifteen man effort to succeed. And it is here in this area of all for one and one for all that the victors will be decided.  It's a wonderful occasion for both colleges and who ever handles the pressure surrounding the build up and the day will win. The Sem can add a third Hogan Cup to their collection.


Sections

Search Articles



 
Radio Kerry - The Voice of the Kingdom