THE RACE FOR Croke Cup glory has boiled down to the final two.
Today at Semple Stadium, holders St Kieran’s go in search of their 22nd title.
The famed Kilkenny academy has won the Masita Post-Primary Schools senior A hurling title more times than any other school.
Last year they won the three-in-a-row for the second time in their history and now they’re going for a fourth successive crown.
That’s a feat achieved just once before, when St Flannan’s lifted the trophy in 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1947.
Standing in their path are Our Lady’s, Templemore, the Harty Cup winners.
Back in 1978, the Tipperary school claimed a Harty and All-Ireland double but this is their first Croke Cup decider in 39 years.
We earmarked some key players to watch out for ahead of the semi-finals and here, we run the rule over the six rising young stars who will have a big say on final day.
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1. Stevie Nolan (Our Lady’s)
Former Tipperary dual minor Stevie Nolan has made a remarkable comeback from injury to be in contention for the Croke Cup final.
The Drom & Inch player shattered his cheekbone in the dying moments of the Harty Cup final victory over St Colman’s, when he was struck by the sliotar through the faceguard while blocking down an opponent.
Nolan, an extended member of the Tipperary minor panel that won the All-Ireland title last year, was superb in the Harty decider, scoring four points from play and producing a complete midfield performance.
His return gives manager Tom Byrnes a selection headache because, if Nolan starts, a player will have to make way from the team that saw off Kilkenny CBS in the Croke Cup semi-final.
2. Michael Carey (St Kieran’s)
Seán Carey was a member of the St Kieran’s team that surged to Croke Cup glory last year.
And now it’s the turn of brother Michael as he attempts to get his hands on a prized medal.
Both boys are sons of Kilkenny legend DJ, himself a former Croke Cup winner with St Kieran’s.
Seán made his mark as an impish forward on the successful 2016 team but Michael is marshalling a full-back line that also contains Tommy Ronan, son of former Kilkenny player Adrian.
3. Paddy Cadell (Our Lady’s)
Paddy Cadell is team captain of Our Lady’s, Templemore, and became the first player from the school to lift the Harty Cup since Martin Bourke in 1978.
A key member of the Tipperary team that won the All-Ireland minor title last year, Cadell is still eligible for the U18 grade in 2017.
That’s good news for Tipp as they look to retain their Munster and national crowns but before all of that, Cadell is keen to add a Croke Cup medal to his expanding collection.
Operating in the pivotal centre half back position, the JK Brackens player has been a tower of strength for his club in recent matches, having shrugged off an injury problem.
4. Adrian Mullen (St Kieran’s)
We mentioned Mullen before the semi-finals and we can’t ignore him again, given his ability to shoot the lights out.
Captain Mullen is goalkeeper turned poacher for St Kieran’s, and he’s aiming for a personal treble in the Croke Cup.
The Ballyhale youngster was goalkeeper in 2015, forward last year and now appears to have taken his game to a new level.
Mullen shot ten points against Kilkenny CBS in the Leinster final and his 2-9 haul helped to demolish St Brigid’s, Loughrea, in the Croke Cup semi-final.
5. Brian McGrath (Our Lady’s)
Another player who made our semi-final list, and he lived up to expectations with a big performance against Kilkenny CBS.
McGrath was quiet by his own standards in the first half, but stepped up to the mark with some big moments in the second period as Our Lady’s built on their Harty Cup final win to seal a place in the Croke Cup decider.
McGrath, captain of the Tipperary minors in 2016, has made a successful switch from defence to attack for Our Lady’s.
He’s now a real fulcrum in the half-forward line, a maker and taker of scores who will step up to long-range placed balls.
6. Martin Keoghan (St Kieran’s)
We’ve already mentioned key forward Adrian Mullen and full-back Michael Carey from the St Kieran’s camp – and Martin Keoghan is another vital player for the champions.
Indeed, Mullen and Keoghan are the only two survivors from last year’s set-up, and Keoghan’s been an inspirational leader for the team this season.
With Carey anchoring the full-back line, St Kieran’s are also well-served in the half-back division by Keoghan, who’s holding down the central position.
He was a midfielder for St Kieran’s last year, having appeared as a late sub in the 2015 final victory over Thurles CBS.
Like Mullen, Keoghan is now chasing a third Croke Cup medal, and he’s already represented his club Tullaroan at senior level.
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