WHATEVER happens in Sunday's All-Ireland final clash between Cork and Kerry, the children of Knockaclarig Nation School on the border know one thing for sure — 'Sam' will be visiting them one way or another.

As rivalry hots up between pupils this week, the Cork jerseys are outshining the green and gold, with 28 pupils declaring their allegiance to the rebel county this year, compared to just eight pupils with Kerry addresses.

School principal, Thomas Roche, explained that because the school lies on the border, Sam Maguire will be paying a visit — but just who will be accompanying it is the question.

The tensions between pupils is reaching fever point this week, according to Thomas, who said that the Cork pupils — and their parents — are particularly confident.

"It's different this time round and there seems to be an air of confidence among the Cork people that wasn't there in 2007," he said.

The visit of Tadhg Kennelly to the school earlier this month also sparked a lot of slagging from the Cork pupils, Thomas explained, but was taken in very good spirits by the Listowel footballer.

This week, the pupils are being allowed to wear their jerseys to school, and whatever happens on Sunday, the jerseys must also be worn again on Monday!

"If you can wear it up to the final you have to be prepared to wear it afterwards, so they're all supposed to wear the colours again on Monday no matter what happens," he said. "It's all a bit of fun so now we'll just have to wait for Sunday," said the Brosna man.

- MARISA REIDY