Munster GAA Post Primary Schools Under 16 ½ (C) Hurling Quarter-Final Previews

Under 16 ½ (C) Munster Hurling Quarter-Finals Preview

Previews by Seán O’Shea (St Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh)

A) St Augustines v Scoil Ruain Killenaule
– Wednesday at 1:30pm in Ballymacarbery

B) Mitchelstown CBS v St Joseph’s College
– Friday at 11:00am in New Inn

C) Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Blarney v St Annes, Killaloe
– Wednesday at 12:30pm in Ballyhea

D) Carrigaline CC v Coachford College
– After mid-term break

The early rounds of the Munster U16 ½ C Hurling campaign has thrown up a few clues as to the strength of the quarter final draws.
St Augustines put in two good victories, winning by 18 & 16 points respectively. Their defence conceded 2-7 in total and must be considered as serious title contenders. Killenaule defeated St Declan’s by 6 and Carrigabfear by 17 points, two good wins, but St Augustine’s will start as favourites in the first quarter final.

Mitchelstown CBS v St Joseph’s College looks to be the pick of the q/f matches. Mitchelstown defeated Ballingarry by 25 points and a good Scarriff school by 14 points. St Joseph’s College, won their opener well. However, the strength of St Joseph’s is unknown, a good win over St Pauls on day one, followed by a walkover in last 16, leaves St Joseph’s untested. However, a review the St Paul’s match, leaves questions unanswered, their backs are going to have to improve on this performance and their impressive forwards will need to gel if they are to proceed.

Blarney could be the dark horses of the competition. They gave Rathkeale a lesson, the school are competing at Harty A this year, who in turn inflicted a heavy defeat on St Mary’s Newport. Early rounds can be very unpredictable indicators at times. However, St Annes, Killaloe have a fine pedigree in recent years and won’t be a pushover. A tight game is predicted

Carrigaline CC have the players to emerge victorious against Coachford College. On paper, Carrigline’s forwards should have too much for Coachford’s backs in a game to be played after the October mid-term break.