The Kerry footballing fraternity nimbly swatted away famine talk at minor level so long as two or three players from each harvest graduated to the senior panel. That proved enough to maintain the Kingdom’s dominance.
Yes, this is the rugby section of the schools supplement. Bear with us.
From miles out it was evident that Kerry had themselves a rich under-18 vintage in 2014. From the depths of their southern reaches former senior manager Jack O’Connor returned to guide them to September glory in Croke Park. And not before current senior manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice brought Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, all the way from the Dingle Peninsula, to Hogan Cup success the previous March.
Point is, you must make hay while the sun shines. Because the going won’t always be so good.
St Michael’s College need to put an exclamation mark on what has been a golden era in their rugby history. Considering five appearances in the last nine finals, they should have gathered more than two cups – 2007 and 2012.
After losing a shuddering five successive junior deciders since 2007, James Ryan’s current group ended that hoodoo when overcoming Newbridge in 2012.
Ryan, now the Ireland under-18 captain, is a towering lock on a direct course towards professionalism. So is their agile number eight Max Deegan.
They have always produced decent backrowers with Deegan comparable to Dan Leavy, St Michael’s last senior cup-winning captain, who would be better known to the wider world if not for several injuries necessitating a number of operations since he entered the Leinster academy.
But that’s another story.
The current discourse is whether St Michael’s can fend off Blackrock and possibly the attentions of Belvedere or Clongowes Wood. Really though, the standard across the board has dipped significantly from recent years.
Blackrock and Belvedere both have enough budding talent to win this tournament over the next two seasons while Clongowes always produce dogged, cleverly coached teams. In flanker Will Connors and centre Colm Mulcahy they’ve focal points that indicate no reason why coach Noel McNamara can’t nudge them into a fifth final from six attempts.
Newbridge, having recently retained the league title, are also worthy of contender status. Led by outhalf Jimmy O’Brien and elusive centre Jake Howlett, the residue of the side that admirably lost last year to Blackrock’s best offering since Jordi Murphy’s 2009 champions is evident.
They should account for Kilkenny in the first round at Carlow RFC.
Blackrock, however, are all changed with the past two junior cup- winning sides funnelled into the senior ranks. Hugo Keane, captain and hooker for a third campaign, and 16-year-old flanker Caelan Doris are the only returning soldiers.
They are closing in on a ground-breaking – even for them – triple double of senior and junior titles. The JCT are expected to deliver but St Michael’s should halt an all-conquering St Patrick’s Day landing.
St Michael’s edged Blackrock 15-14 in their November meeting, watched by over 750 punters on the morning Ireland beat Australia.
It’s been about these two schools for a while now. 2013 was the one that got away for St Michael’s, and into Blackrock arms when tries by Gary Ringrose and Jack Power flipped that final on its head.
Clongowes can keep it interesting but unless the draw pairs the ’Rock road neighbours beforehand, the viewing public will be rewarded with a third meeting on March 17th since 2006. Blackrock have not stumbled at the last hurdle since Cian Healy’s Belvedere had their number in 2005.
They have never lost a final to St Michael’s so the favourites would be better served catching them sooner rather than later.
Either way, Brian O’Meara boasts the best squad, the most talented individuals and they’ve built a winning culture.
The new 4G pitch at Donnybrook matters. For one, there will be no postponements, no ugly scraps. Running rugby can prevail in wintry conditions to ensure the most progressive school prevails.
It all starts, in theory, with two clashes for the ages – Blackrock v Terenure on Sunday January 25th followed by St Michael’s against fellow Spiritans St Mary’s the following Tuesday. “Name me one Terenure team that has rolled over in a cup match?” asked Blackrock coach Peter Smyth. “They are the best underdogs in the competition.”
Not really.
Blackrock are the best underdogs in the competition. Always have been.
The question is can St Michael’s do what the Kerry minors finally did; stop merely feeding the Leinster academy and win when they should.
Probably, but sport, even in its purest form, offers no certainty.
See The Irish Times this Friday for our full schools rugby and GAA magazine
