HAVING won the Simcox Cup title for the first time in the school’s history, Clonakilty Community College’s full attention now turns to making a deep run in the Corn Uí Mhuirí.

After winning all three group games, the Clon school face High School Clonmel in a provincial quarter-final on Wednesday (1.30pm) in Pairc Ui Rinn. It’s a chance to qualify for the last four for only the third time in Clonakilty’s history, and to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2019.

Judging by their form in this season’s Corn Uí Mhuirí, this group looks primed to take the next step.

Micheál ‘Haulie’ O’Sullivan’s side beat local neighbours Skibbereen Community School (0-11 to 1-7), Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig (1-13 to 1-6) and, most impressively of all, St Brendan’s College Killarney (0-15 to 0-11) to top their group in style.

‘We’re delighted, in fairness. Since we’ve been in the competition, we’ve never had three wins to come top of a group. The first game against St Brendan’s was a springboard for the squad,’ O’Sullivan told The Southern Star.

‘We showed what we are capable of that day and have maintained our standards since. We hope that we can continue.’

As impressive as Clonakilty have been in Munster, their Simcox Cup final triumph against Coláiste Choilm (0-17 to 0-11) was a breakthrough moment, delivering silverware.

St James’ Sean Whelton, who hit 0-11, and Clon club player Tom Whooley, who struck 0-3 from play, were among the stars that day. Whelton has since added a further 0-13 in the Corn Uí Mhuirí, while other key contributors include Kilmeen’s Jason Murray, Clonakilty duo Dylan Harrington and Jack Byerley, and Ibane Gaels’ Mike Collins.

Tom Whooley in action.

‘It’s been very good for us so far. One of the aims at the start of the year was to go as far as we could in the Simcox because it was a competition where we had a realistic chance of winning,’ O’Sullivan explained.

‘To realise that goal was huge for the players and management. Our attention turns to Munster now.’

O’Sullivan also pointed to the importance of the opening Simcox Cup game against St Francis, Rochestown.

‘That was probably our most important game. It was the very first match of the season and we didn’t know where we stood. We had a real battle and won by a couple of points. St Francis have since proved how good they are by reaching a Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-final against Killorglin. The St Brendan’s game on top of that was a big boost.’

In reaching the last eight, High School Clonmel accounted for St Flannan’s Ennis (3-9 to 0-4) and Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine Kenmare (5-13 to 3-11). They also pushed Rochestown hard, losing 4-8 to 1-13, and are not a team Clonakilty are taking lightly.

‘Any team that reaches the quarter-final stage has a lot of quality,’ O’Sullivan said.

‘Clonmel have beaten a Kerry team to get here and are littered with Tipp minors and Tipp U20s. They had a big win over Kenmare when everything was on the line. They’ll be a big challenge.’

Despite the Christmas holidays, there was no let-up in preparation.

‘When you have a quarter-final on January 14th, you don’t really have a choice,’ O’Sullivan added.

‘We played a couple of challenge matches and trained. The lads had most of Christmas week more or less off, but we’ve been ticking away in between.

‘They’re a very good group to train, and the effort they’ve put in has been huge. There’s a lot of talent there. We’re just hoping to have everyone fit and to be selecting from a full panel. If we do, I feel we have a good chance.’