“We are the Sem boys and Sem boys are best, we are the Sem boys so f**k all the rest.”

Killarney secondary school St Brendan’s College have never lacked for confidence, and the chanting of their supporters is almost as famous as the long list of former Kerry senior greats who have passed through its storied classrooms.

This Saturday, another group of young men from the school that gifted the GAA Paidi O Sé, Pat Spillane and Colm Cooper among dozens others will look to lift the Hogan Cup for the first time since 1992, and for the third time ever, as they play St Patrick’s, Maghera of Derry

The 1992 side contained Kerry legend Seamus Moynihan among its ranks, and we’ve decided to take a look at three youngsters who will be hoping to write their name in Kerry football history by lifting the college’s third ever All-Ireland title this weekend.

St. Brendan’s

Evan Cronin.

In the All-Ireland semi-final last month, the ‘Sem’ led their opponents St. Benildus Stillorgan by 3-7 to no score as the game headed for half time. In that opening 25 minutes, Evan Cronin had already helped himself to a goal inside five minutes, and would eventually finish up with 2-3 to his name.

The number 13 and his attacking colleagues tore the Leinster champions to shreds, and at his very best, he is simply unmarkable.

He is an emerging performer for his club Spa in the Kerry intermediate championship too, and his pace, as well as incredible goal-scoring record, which includes 1-5 in the Munster final, is likely to be enhanced in Croke Park.

David Clifford.

In a star-studded St Brendan’ s forward line we could also have picked out Michael Casey as well as the enormous figure of David Shaw, but this classy forward supersedes them all.

All of the Kerry team’s attacking play tends to work through Clifford’s hands or feet, and his accurate passing is a joy for football purists who see something of an old-style footballer who gives and goes in his play.

Captain material if Daniel O’Brien was injured, Clifford is the key player the Derry side must shut down to grind the well-oiled ‘Sem’ attack to a halt.

Chris O’Donoghue.

The battle of full-back O’Donoghue and Shane McGuigan could very well decide the outcome of this game.

The Glenflesk man has really not been troubled by any attack since the ‘Sem’s’ early Munster campaign, but that will not be the case on Saturday.

McGuigan disappointed on his last appearance in Croke Park for the Derry minors last year in an All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kerry and will be hungry for atonement.

O’Donoghue may also take inspiration from one of Glenflesk club hero Seamus Moynihan’s more heroic Croker performances to repel the Ulster attack, which McGuigan will be looking to orchestrate.

St. Patrick’s

Then, you have the Derry men.

They’ve been down this road only two years ago. They won it three years ago.

A relative dry spell in one of the most prestigious football schools in Ireland has been drowned by this new generation of winners. It’s a habit again in Maghera, like it used to always be, to contest MacRory Cups and head down the road to Dublin.

They do it again on Sunday and they do it with no fear. Here are their three players to watch.

Shea Downey.

Lavey man. Number 6. Downey.

Yep, he’s Henry nephew. Son of Seamus Downey – All-Ireland winning full forward in 1993, brother to team captain and legend of club, schools and county football – there’s serious breeding in young Shea Downey.

A rock solid, uncompromising footballer, St. Pat’s are led from the back by their inspirational fulcrum. And, sure, if anything does somehow manage to make its way around Downey, the Kerry men will have Sean Cassidy’s lightning-quick, point-blank shot-stopping to contend with.

Shane McGuigan.

He’s far too used to seeing Croke Park at this stage of his career with Derry, with Slaughtneil and with St. Pat’s Maghera.

Shane McGuigan is a frightening prospect and he’s renowned the island over. He’s been spreading defenders on toast throughout this campaign and he gets better and stronger with each passing game.

Him and O’Donoghue will have a fascinating battle inside but McGuigan won’t be silenced. He can only be limited.

Conor Glass.

This man needs no introduction.

He’s won three MacRory Cups, he’s appearing in his third Hogan Cup final, he’s heading to Australia at the end of the term to become a professional AFL player.

Ever since he was a fourth year playing at wing back and scoring two goals in the All-Ireland semi-final for St. Pat’s, the name Conor Glass couldn’t be suppressed.

He leads Maghera this year and he’s used to winning too. He’s won with his club Glen Maghera – he’s won Ulster titles with them at minors. He’s won provincial honours with Derry and his record in schools football is ridiculous.

He was a talent made for Croke Park and this could be his last big blow out with an O’Neill’s football before he moves Down Under. What a fitting way it would be to set off.

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10