St Killian’s centre back Charlie McAuley is the only doubt in the starting fifteen for Saturday’s Paddy Buggy All Ireland Colleges B final against Munster champions Blackwater Community College at Abbotstown.

McAuley injured his ankle nearing the end of the semi-final win over Portumna CS in Darvar two weeks ago and since them has done only light training in the build up to Saturday game. He has been receiving treatment and is almost there, but the physiotherapist has advised the management not to make a decision until the last minute and see how Charlie fares in the warm-up.

The rest of the team should line out in the same positions as they played when beating Portumna CS in the semi-final at Darvar two weeks ago.  Tomas McLaughlin will guard the St Killian’s goals, behind a full back line of Colla Ward, Cailin Devlin and John Scullion, all three of whom played well in the semi-final. The half back line will see Charlie McAuley pivot the defence if fit with Austin Birt on his right and Niall Magee, one of the real stars of the semi-final, on his left.

Calum McIlwaine and Callagh Mooney formed the midfield pairing against Portumna and should team up again on Saturday while Cormac McKeown, Joseph McLaughlin and Orrin O’Connor form a potent half forward line. Oran McCambridge, Michael Furey and Niall Hynds should be the full forward line, though which one of the three is on the edge of the square is a thing the management will probably just decide on the day.

It goes without saying that Blackwater will go into the game as favourites, that is in the southern press anyway, but we all know that if St Killian’s play as they did against Portumna then they need fear nobody.

St Killians have waited a long time for this day. All Ireland finals won’t come around too often for the school and obvious won’t come again for this current team, so it is important they grab their chance with both hands.