Gallant Coláiste Mhuire lose out to better-balanced Coláiste Eoin side
May 2nd
Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan 3-7
Coláiste Mhuire, Mgr.2-5
While every player from Coláiste Mhuire is entitled to an A1 grade for wholehearted endeavour, even the most biased Mullingar man would concede that the better team won when Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan were crowned as Leinster Schools junior football ‘A’ champions at Leixlip’s resplendent grounds on Tuesday week last (April 20th).
The Irish-speaking Dublin school had the aid of a useful wind in the first half and, in truth, they should have been more than four points to the good at the interval, leaving Malachy Flanagan’s charges still very much in contention. However, a goal from outstanding midfielder Maitias MacDonncha within 20 seconds of the restart left the Westmeath lads with a mountain to climb and, in the final analysis, the Stillorgan side were not at all flattered by the five-point winning margin, in what was a very entertaining and sporting contest over the hour.
Ironically, Coláiste Mhuire took the lead (for what was to prove to be the only time in the match) with less than a half-minute elapsed, David Whelan pointing in style. The physically bigger Coláiste Eoin soon began to take control and four unanswered between the fifth and 11th minutes were just reward for their all-round dominance – Donal Ó Gormlaigh, Fionnán Motherway (two, a free and a classy score from play) and Maitias MacDonncha being the young men on target. A minute before the last of these points, Coláiste Mhuire’s David Whelan opted to try for a goal from a difficult chance when a point was there for the taking. The lads in green and white were not making the most of limited possession and a quickly-taken, but ultimately wasted ‘45′, was indicative of this.
They were made to pay a heavy price for this profligacy at exactly the midpoint of the first moiety, full forward Daithí Ó Cathmhaoil poking the ball to the net from point-blank range, after a great run from Oisín Ó Ruairc had ended with his shot rebounding from the crossbar. Coláiste Mhuire players were being too easily dispossessed, but their commitment to the cause was not in doubt and they were rewarded with a terrific goal from Niall O’Brien, who caught David Whelan’s pass and bore down on goal before unleashing a great shot to the net from 15 metres, much to the delight of their vociferous supporters. At the other end, the Mullingar lads had a couple of narrow escapes, Daithí Ó Cathmhaoil ’s ‘goal’ being disallowed for a ’square ball’ offence, before Larry Racinskas did very well to smother the ball from Daithí Ó Cathmhaoil when a goal looked certain. Maitias MacDonncha soon added a fine point from 30 metres, but both sides spurned glorious opportunities of goals before the break, Cian Ó Ceallacháin and Emmet Corrigan being the guilty parties. The half ended with a piece of superb fielding from the winners’ full back Luke Ó Treasaigh, with Coláiste Mhuire more than a little fortunate to trail by just 1-5 to 1-1.
The lads in the distinctive black, saffron and white hooped jerseys got a dream start to the second half, Maitias MacDonncha burying the ball in the roof of the net after soloing goalward. To their credit, Coláiste Mhuire refused to throw in the towel and, despite a wide from a free from Jamie Loran and a yellow card for Brian Slevin (which the winners’ bench wanted to be coloured red), their persistence was rewarded with a brace of points from David Whelan (who appeared to have a goal on his mind) and Mark Browne (a great score from 40 metres). However, dreams of a sensational comeback more or less evaporated when the Stillorgan side tacked on 1-2 without reply in a three-minute blitz midway through the half, courtesy of a converted free from Lorcán Ó Maoileannaigh, a great individual goal from Colm Ó Beaglaoich and a fine point after a great catch from Daithí Ó Cathmhaoil. This wrapped up the winners’ scoring and an unanswered 1-2 of their own from the North Leinster champions from Mullingar (a great achievement in its own right) merely served to put some respectability on the scoreline. A successful free from Sean Daly was followed by a great side-footed goal from the same player (seconds after substitute Dara Lyons almost poked the ball home) and a beautifully-curled late point from David Lynch. Moments later, jubilant scenes accompanied the cup presentation to Roibéard MacDaibhead.
Coláiste Eoin: Séamus Ó Dubhghaill; Colm Ó Fainín, Luke Ó Treasaigh, Conchubhair Ó Duibhir; Colm Ó Cróinín, Emmet Ó Dochartaigh, Cian Ó Ceallacháin; Maitias MacDonncha (1-2), Roibéard MacDaibhead (capt); Fionnán Motherway (0-2, 0-1 from a free), Lorcán Ó Maoileannaigh (0-1, from a free), Donal Ó Gormlaigh (0-1); Colm Ó Beaglaoich (1-0), Daithí Ó Cathmhaoil (1-1), Oisín Ó Ruairc. Subs: Conall Ó Neill (for Motherway, 38 mins), Daire Ó Meachair (for Ó Beaglaoich, 54 mins), Maitiú MacNioclas (for Ó Ruairc, 58 mins), Ruairí Ó Meachair (for Ó Ceallacháin, 60 mins).
Coláiste Mhuire: Larry Racinskas; Adam Moore, Brian Slevin, Aidan Wallace; Efi Siode, Cathal Scally, Killian Daly; David Lynch (0-1), Sean Daly (1-1, 0-1 from a free); Mark Browne (0-1), David Whelan (0-2), Jamie Loran; Emmet Corrigan, Niall O’Brien (1-0), Luke Peppard. Subs: Brendan Flynn (for K.Daly, 37 mins), Luke Loughlin (for Corrigan, 38 mins), Niall Gunning (for Wallace, 48 mins), Dara Lyons (for Peppard, 48 mins).
Referee: Eddie Craul (Wicklow).
Colaiste Mhuire lift North Leinster crown
Apr 4th
A better balanced Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar were crowned North Leinster junior ‘A’ football champions this afternoon following a 1-15 to 3-7 over St. Pat’s, Navan in Longwood.
The Westmeath side raced into an early 0-4 to 0-0 lead, despite playing against a stiff breeze, but two pointed frees by Barry Dardis helped Navan to settle and they went in front when Cathal Smith slotted home a penalty following a foul on Fiachra Ward, younger brother of Meath senior Cian.
When Barry Dardis added a second goal, Pat’s were 2-2 to 0-4 to the good, but Colaiste Mhuire replied with a goal of their own from Luke Peppard and further points to trail by 1-6 to 2-5 at half-time.
With Ballynacargy’s Jamie Loran helping himself to 0-5 and midfielder Sean Daly also chipping in with 0-3, Mullingar took control after the restart and led by 1-10 to 2-4 at the three-quarter stage.
They had extended their advantage to 1-14 to 2-7 before a late Nicky O’Brien goal for Navan – who started without senior star Liam Burke – left them hanging on for a two-point win.
Colaiste Mhuire now move ahead with all guns blazing facing into their toughest challenge yet in a formidable Colaiste Eoin side who will fight to death for the Leinster title that each side craves to win.
Colaiste Mhuire: L Racinskas; A Moore, B Slevin, A Wallace; E Siode, C Scally, K Daly; S Daly, D Lynch; M Browne, D Whelan, J Loran; E Corrigan, N O’Brien, L Peppard.
St. Pat’s: R Burlingham; R O Coilean, D Curran, D Rogers; M Gardner, O Fitzpatrick, J Heaney; D Regan, V Moore; D Dillon, B Dardis, C Smith; N O’Brien, F Ward, P Kennelly.
Referee: B O’Shea (Dublin).
Colaiste Mhuire’s Mark Browne gets in his shot as St Pats full back Dean Curran moves into block during the North Leinster Junior “A” Colleges final at Longwood.
Coláiste Mhuire always on top in North Leinster semi-final
Mar 10th
Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar 4-9
Gormanston College 1-3
The junior footballers from Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar are through to the North Leinster final after a facile win over Gormanston College in the penultimate round at Dunganny on Monday last, March 8, but they will need to be less wasteful if they are to have any chance of defeating another Meath college, St. Patrick’s, Navan in the final.
On a cold but very sunny day, a handful of spectators turned up at the resplendent facilities just outside Trim in anticipation of a ding-dong struggle for the Mullingar lads against the once-might Gormanston. However, the losers had not got players of the calibre of past pupil Denis ‘Ogie’ Moran on show and, in truth, Malachy Flanagan’s troops won in a canter.
The winners had whatever advantage was accruing from a mainly cross-field wind and the game began in truly bizarre circumstances, a clearly impatient referee throwing in the ball to Gormanston players only, as Coláiste Mhuire finished their pre-match huddle! Emmet Corrigan opened the scoring when he rounded off a fine move with a point in the third minute. At the other end, Chris Ruigrok spurned a great chance of a Gormanston goal, but the lads in all-maroon soon registered a score when Shane Landy tapped over a 20-metre free.
Luke Peppard gave Coláiste Mhuire the lead with a fisted point and the same player followed up in the eighth minute when he pounced for a well-taken goal, after picking up the ball from Niall O’Brien’s goalward lob. Chris Ruigrok then looked certain to find the net for Gormanston but Larry Razinkas and Brian Slevin combined bravely to keep out the full forward.
A Coláiste Mhuire ‘goal’ by Emmet Corrigan was correctly disallowed as the ball had been fisted to the net and the same player was then thwarted by a great save from Danny Cookman, at the expense of an unconverted ‘45′. The lads in green and white were very much in control of proceedings at this juncture and they chalked up an unanswered five points in the second quarter of the game, despite kicking a number of poor wides under no great pressure. The points came from Jamie Loran (three, including one free via the upright), Mark Browne and Emmet Corrigan (his low shot shaving the crossbar). Gormanston’s inadequacy was evidenced by a brace of very poor frees from great positions by Cormac Madden. At the break, Coláiste Mhuire led by 1-7 to 0-1.
Within seconds of the re-start, Coláiste Mhuire’s Sean Daly produced a wonderful block on James McEntee. Before a minute had elapsed, the winners manufactured the score of the game, a great run from David Lynch teeing up David Whelan who duly rifled home a brilliant shot to the roof of the Gormanston net. Sean Daly followed up with a point and Jamie Loran opened up a whopping 16-point gap with less than five minutes on the clock with a great low shot past Danny Cookman.
To his credit, the latter player continued to do well and he produced a great save from Niall O’Brien. Midway through the second moiety, Conor Grimes’ shot came back off the woodwork and his midfield partner Declan Smyth was fouled in the large parallelogram. Cormac Madden atoned for earlier lapses from frees when he struck a powerful penalty kick past Larry Razinkas.
A degree of lethargy had crept into Coláiste Mhuire’s game and Gormanston added to their meagre total when James McEntee pointed a close-range free and followed up with a fine point from play. With two minutes of normal time remaining, Luke Peppard rounded off a sweeping move with a clinical finish to the net.
However, the corner forward fluffed a glorious chance of completing his hat-trick in the winners’ next attack, taking too many steps as the net gaped in front of him. Such profligacy will simply not suffice when the leading football nursery in the province in recent years, St. Patrick’s Classical School take to the field in the provincial decider.
The North Leinster Final will take place on Tuesday the 16th of March at Longwood.
Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Larry Razinkas; Adam Moore, Brian Slevin, Aidan Wallace; Efi Siode, Cathal Scally, Killian Daly; David Lynch, Sean Daly (0-1); Mark Browne (0-1), David Whelan (1-0), Jamie Loran (1-3, 0-1 from a free); Luke Peppard (2-1), Niall O’Brien (0-1), Emmet Corrigan (0-2). Subs: Luke Loughlin (for Whelan, 48 mins), Michael Cox (for Wallace, 55 mins), Dylan McDermott (for O’Brien, 55 mins), Daniel Sheridan (for Loran, 59 mins), Niall Gunning (for Moore, 59 mins).
Injury-time heartbreak for Coláiste Mhuire in Leinster semi-final
Mar 6th
For the second time in the 2009/10 season, Cistercian College, Roscrea edged out Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar in dramatic circumstances in the Leinster Colleges senior hurling ‘B’ championship, with last Friday’s astonishing turnaround in injury-time in Rath, County Offaly cruelly eliminating Niall O’Brien’s charges at the penultimate round stage.
It will be of no consolation to the losers that they were the better team on the day, but a lack of concentration in the dying minutes was to prove fatal, as an unanswered 1-2 in the first five of the six added minutes (which seemed excessive) propelled the school on the Offaly/Tipperary border to the provincial final.
Despite the bitter cold, conditions were ideal for hurling in the Drumcullen ground, near Kilcormac. Coláiste Mhuire’s Niall O’Brien opened the scoring with exactly a minute played, but Kevin O’Connell soon equalised with a well-taken score. Aonghus Clarke restored the Mullingar side’s lead from a routine free as the action continued to move from end to end. Cathal Scally, whose long-range freetaking was right out of the very top drawer, pointed an 80-metre free in the seventh minute. However, the winners had a purple patch between the eighth and 13th minutes, rattling up 1-3 without reply in that period. Alert corner forward Rory Skelly whipped in a goal, after Conor Lynch failed to hold the sliotar under pressure, and points followed from David King (two frees) and Micheál Vaughan.
It was all square by the 19th minute, an Aonghus Clarke free from 50 metres preceding an opportunist goal from his Castletown-Geoghegan clubmate, Neal Kirby in a goalmouth scramble. Reliable freetaker David King restored Roscrea’s lead but another monster strike from a free by Cathal Scally was superbly met in midair by Neal Kirby for a great goal for Coláiste Mhuire in the 23rd minute. Micheál Vaughan and Kieran Yourell (a terrific solo score) exchanged points. The latter player scored his second point in the last minute of normal time – he seemed to have a goal on his mind – but Roscrea rounded off first-half scoring in injury-time courtesy of a fine point from 60 metres by Daniel Africano. At the break, Coláiste Mhuire led by 2-6 to 1-7.
David King reduced the deficit to the bare minimum within three minutes of the resumption, from another free. However, three points in an impressive four-minute spell opened some daylight for the boys in green and white, all three coming from defenders, as Patrick Laide’s wonderful score from play was followed by two fabulous converted frees from Cathal Scally. Daniel King (35 metres) and Cathal Scally (from the halfway line) traded points from frees, leaving Coláiste Mhuire ahead by 2-10 to 1-9 at the midpoint of the half. Aonghus Clarke came close to finding the net, following yet another huge free by Scally, before the losers’ two midfielders combined for Willie McGrath to slot over a lovely point in the 17th minute.
David King and Aonghus Clarke exchanged points from frees, before Neal Kirby put the Mullingar lads six points to the good with an opportunist point. A successful free by David King and a neat effort from Rory Skelly reduced the gap to four points and this remained as Coláiste Mhuire’s advantage when Jack O’Driscoll and Niall O’Brien traded points in the dying moments of normal time. Coláiste Mhuire seemed certain winners, but Cistercian College continued to plug away and David King’s low shot crept into the net from a 20-metre free, in the third minute of added-time. The same player then equalised from a 50-metre free and extra-time looked on the cards when Rory Skelly’s shot went just wide. However, there was still time for Kevin O’Connell to emerge as his side’s hero with a last-gasp point, following Damien Egan’s long-range free. Aonghus Clarke was unable to get in a shot in the last action of the contest and a dejected Mullingar side soon left the pitch as their opponents celebrated a classic get-out-of-jail victory.
Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Conor Lynch; Thomas Egan, Cathal Scally (0-4, all from frees), Shane McGovern; Conor Thompson, Patrick Laide (0-1), Brian McLoughlin; Willie McGrath (capt) (0-1), David Gavin; Shane Fagan, Kieran Yourell (0-2), Aonghus Clarke (0-3, all from frees); Niall O’Brien (0-2), Tadhg Kelly, Neal Kirby (2-1).
