Leinster Post Primary Schools Senior Football ‘A’ Final

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar 3-10 Ardscoil na Trionóide, Athy 1-13

(after extra-time)

By Gerry Buckley

An opportunist goal from substitute Paul Keating in the last action of the first period of extra-time proved to be the decisive score as Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar bridged a 42-year gap to win just their second Leinster senior football ‘A’ title with a three-point victory over first-time finalists Ardscoil na Trionóide, Athy in a pulsating Bro Bosco Cup decider in Tullamore.

In what was one of the last ‘old rules’ matches that Leinster Gaels will witness, the best elements of schools’ football were on display. In the final analysis, the Mullingar boys, who refused to panic when the Athy school looked set for a historic breakthrough, are worthy champions, thereby emulating Sean Hynes and his merry men back in 1983.

The latter was a quality forward who burst straight on to the Westmeath senior team. In the case of the superb Will Scahill, that inevitable progression will have to wait as he is still a Transition Year student, but his all-round class in attack shone through yet again from start to finish at a resplendent Glenisk O’Connor Park.

Understandable early nerves were evident, but Ardscoil na Trionóide looked the more assured outfit with points from Robbie Murphy and Ronan Kelly (a free) edging them two clear by the tenth minute. Scahill opened his account from a free and the impressive Darragh Farrell quickly equalised.

In the 13^th minute, a clever pass from Mikey Weir teed up Scahill who found the net for Coláiste Mhuire from a tight angle. The same player doubled his goal haul some five minutes later with a classy finish after a great delivery by skipper Matthew Thornton, but Colm Moran immediately responded with an equally good three-pointer when set up by Calum Keaveny.

The winners went on to kick three balls into the grateful arms of Oisín Groarke. Ardscoil na Trionóide made the most of their opponents’ profligacy by firing over four unanswered points between the 26^th and 30^th minutes, courtesy of Kelly (a brace of frees), Farrell (in acres of space), and Moran (with Keaveny again the provider). A routine free conversion by Scahill with the last kick of the first moiety left his side trailing by 1-7 to 2-2 at the interval.

Donnacha Maguire, who went on to have a great second half in and around midfield, had a ‘goal’ disallowed less than three minutes after play resumed, after an ambitious point attempt from Scahill seconds earlier had drifted wide. Murphy doubled his haul in style and Farrell completed his points’ hat-trick from a mark to put the boys in black and red four clear with 36 minutes on the clock.

However, the lads in the green jerseys side responded in great fashion by scoring four points without reply by the midpoint of the second half, via two Scahill frees (the first coming after Michael Moloney’s flicked attempt for a goal had been saved), Thornton from play (thereby ending Scahill’s scoring monopoly), and a great free from Scahill.

The scoring rate dropped in a tense fourth quarter, with Kelly slotting over a free for the losers approaching the end of normal time. In the first minute of a minimum of three minutes’ added-time announced, the red-carding of Darragh Farrell for a dangerous challenge on Scahill was a major blow to Athy. They almost held on, but Moloney picked out corner back Ben Sheerin who calmly equalised. The scoreboard read, Coláiste Mhuire 2-7 Ardscoil na Trionóide 1-10, at the end of the regular hour-plus.

Now a man up, Coláiste Mhuire looked the more likely winners, but the sides were still tied seven minutes into the first period of extra-time, both teams adding just a point to their totals – Scahill (his first from play) and Kelly (his fifth free at the other end). Sean Byrne nudged Coláiste Mhuire ahead before the game’s decisive moment arrived when a point attempt from Oisín O’Hara dropped short and Keating flicked the ball volleyball-style past Groarke for a tonic goal. This left the Mullingar boys ahead by 3-9 to 1-11 at the break.

A black card for the influential Michael Moloney evened up the numbers early in the second period. This gave the Athy lads real hope and a point apiece from the returned Sam Lynch and another Kelly free left just two points between the sides. Fittingly, however, a fabulous run by Scahill teed up Byrne for a fisted insurance point with time almost up.

Scorers –

Coláiste Mhuire: W Scahill 2-6 (0-5f), P Keating 1-0, S Byrne 0-2, B Sheerin, M Thornton 0-1 each.

Ardscoil na Trionóide: R Kelly 0-6 (6f), C Moran 1-1, D Farrell 0-3 (1m), R Murphy 0-2, S Lynch 0-1.

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Adam Buckley; Ben Sheerin, Ty Masterson, Conor Daly; Darragh Smith, Mikey Weir, Michael Moloney; Eoin Conlon, Donnacha Maguire; Conor Heffernan, Matthew Thornton, Oisín O’Hara; Will Scahill, Eoin Meehan, Seán Byrne. Subs used: Ben McNamee for Meehan (inj., 26), Paul Keating for Heffernan (59), Adam Glynn for Smith (inj., 60+3), James Murtagh for Sheerin (e/t, h-t), Conor Heffernan for Thornton (e/t, 20)

Ardscoil na Trionóide, Athy: Oisín Groarke; Daniel Henry, Mark Grufferty, Liam Byrne; Cameron Pedreschi, James Donnelly, Calum Keaveny; Eoin Johnson, Robbie Murphy; Ronan Kelly, Colm Moran, Sam Lynch; Harry Grainger, Darragh Farrell, Páidí Kelly. Subs used: Eoin Coffey for Grufferty (41), Seán Rowan for Grainger (47), Niall Hickey for Lynch (57), Roán Brennan for Keaveny (60+3), Sam Lynch for Murphy (e/t, 12), Calum Keaveny for P Kelly (e/t, 16), Cian O’Rourke for Byrne (e/t, 19).

Ref: Eamon O’Connor (Offaly).