Nine out of the top 10 feeder schools that provided first-year undergraduates to University College Cork (UCC) last year operate within the free school sector, according to new figures published by The Irish Times today.
Only one private fee-paying school makes it into the list of the top 10 schools, a sign that students from the area are happy to use the free school system to secure a place at the State's third largest university.
The private fee-paying "grind school" Bruce College Cork, whose sister college in Dublin was last year taken over by its main rival, the Institute of Education in Dublin, charges full-time fees of more than €5,000 a year.
However, unlike Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, the latest UCC list is dominated by free schools such as Coláiste Choilm in Ballincollig; Christ King Secondary School, Cork; Cork College of Commerce; and St Angela's College, Cork.
Other schools which also feature prominently include Christian Brothers College, Sidney Hill, Cork, Presentation College Cork, and Carrigaline Community School in Cork.
It is not clear how many students at these schools avail of after-school grinds or intense revision courses to secure places on the most sought-after courses at the college.
Interestingly, the vast majority of first-year students attending UCC come from the Cork area.
Only one of those featuring on today's list of the top 20 feeder schools is located outside the county: Tralee Tuition Centre, a grind school, in Kerry.
This indicates that the university is succeeding in catering to students from free schools based in Cork itself.
Nevertheless, UCC's president, Prof Gerry Wrixon, has indicated that he intends to continue to increase the number of international students attending the university.
UCC has developed a strong reputation in recent years for attracting significant levels of research funding.
It has often eclipsed larger universities such as TCD and UCD, particularly in the pharmaceutical, food and electronic areas.
Consequently, it is widely regarded as having successfully managed to achieve a mix between a 160-year history and the development of the image as a cutting-edge university.
It is also a popular choice among CAO applicants, many of whom recognise the university's strong academic reputation and good student life.
In recent years, however, UCC has been the subject of a bitter internal dispute between Prof Wrixon and his opponents within the university.
Prof Wrixon, who is 64, has been criticised for his hard-nosed, pro-business approach, and has been at the centre of several high-profile legal actions.
He is waiting confirmation of an extension to his five-year term of office.
In an interview with The Irish Times recently, the Minister for Education and Science, Ms Hanafin, said she had few concerns about such an extension.
However, senior academics at the college have indicated that they might consider legal action should this extension be approved.
The Department of Finance is also understood to have been concerned that a contract extension for Prof Wrixon could have a knock-on effect for the wider public service.
Nevertheless, the Minister for Finance, Mr Cowen, has indicated that he is prepared to approve the move once certain technical difficulties are clarified.