St Mel's to test holders' mettle

COLLEGES GAA: Reigning All-Ireland Colleges senior football champions St Jarlath's, Tuam, continue the defence of their title against St Mel's, Longford, in one of the two semi-finals to be played on Sunday. Reigning senior hurling champions St Colman's, Fermoy, enjoy a bye into the final.

Last year St Jarlath's regained the All-Ireland football title after an eight-year absence in a mostly one-sided final against St Michael's, Enniskillen, but they can certainly expect a stern test against St Mel's. A week ago the Longford school survived the best St Patrick's, Navan, could offer - and that is typically a true examination - to win their first Leinster Colleges title in nine years.

Under manager Jimmy Gacquin, who last year led the Longford minors to the Leinster title, St Mel's play the sort of free-flowing and uninhibited football that should also bring out the best in the Connacht champions. (Throw-in at Dr Hyde Park is 1.30 p.m.)

The second semi-final involves St Pat's, Maghera, and Coláiste na Sceilge (Birr, 3.30 p.m.). St Pat's regained Ulster's MacRory Cup after a seven-year absence with a convincing win over St Mary's, Meagherafelt, but the Kerry school, who have now won three Munster titles in succession, continue to make staggering progression in colleges football and should break through to the final.

In hurling, Ulster again opts out of this level so only one semi-final is necessary. It means Leinster champions and last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists St Kieran's, Kilkenny, meet Gort CS in Boherlahan for the chance to play St Colman's in the final - with the Cork school beating St Flannan's, Ennis, last Sunday to retain the Dr Harty Cup.

Gort have had a reasonably untested run through Connacht, and St Kieran's have also comfortably handled the best in Leinster. Their final win over St Peter's, Wexford, last weekend was particularly suggestive of their range of skills, with captain James Fitzpatrick - a member of Kilkenny's All-Ireland winning minor team - among their many high-scoring forwards.

Extra time will be played in all games if necessary. Both All-Ireland finals will be played a fortnight later on Sunday, April 27th - with the venues to be decided depending on the competing teams.