Masita Paddy Buggy Cup semi-final

Cross & Passion, Ballycastle v Clonmel CBS

(Saturday, UCD Sport, Dublin 2.30pm)

CPC bid to reach the Paddy Buggy Cup final when they take on Munster champions Clonmel in Dublin later today (Saturday)

The Ballycastle school won the Mageean Cup in early December, which secured their place in today’s semi-final. After taking a break over Christmas they have been training hard ever since and have played a few challenge games in preparation for this game.

At the time of writing the team has not been announced but it will surely be along the same lines as the team who beat St Killian’s in the Mageean decider.

CPC’s opponents Clonmel CBS won their first Munter title a few weeks ago and will provide a stern test for the Ballycastle side. In the Munster final the Tipperary boys were the dominant force throughout the game, despite going into the final against Scarrif Comminty School of Clare.  Their defence was rock solid with full back Michael McMaugh dominating and tenacious corner back Max O’Dwyer also catching the eye. However it has to be said that the Scariff forward division failed to deliver the goods on the day and I feel the CPC forwards will cause them a lot more problems with the scoring power of the likes of Paudie Martin, Oisin McCallin, Roan McGarry and Cadhan Crawford, all accurate score takers.

Clonmell’s man of the match in the Muster final was centre forward Aaron Cagney who will take a lot of watching, as indeed with his wing forwards Mickey McGuire and Jamel Yousef, scorer of his team’s opening goal on the day. However the CPC half back line are a formidable trio with centre back Liam Glackin, flanked by Reece Cunning and Aiden Kelly. Harry Lawlor looked the pick of the full forward line in the Munster final but they face a strong CPC full back line of Dan Kinney, Cian Baudant and Niall McLean and goalkeeper Anthony Mullan.

The game will be played on a 4G pitch at UCD, which means the game with be a lot faster than what we saw in both provincial deciders and that could have an effect of how this go. CPC have done a lot of training in the 4g pitch at the Dunloy Accademy and that could stand them in good stead.

This had the potential to be a great game, with little separating two well matched sides. Clonmel will provide a stern test for the Ulster champions, but I feel CPC have the goods to secure their first final place since 2015