Bates goal ensures super victory for Mullingar school

In dramatic circumstances, Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar captured the Leinster Colleges first year football title for the second successive year when defeated Wexford's Good Counsel, at Éire Óg, Carlow today.

With time ticking away, Good Counsel led by two points and looked to be totally in control. They had gone in front with about ten minutes remaining when substitute, Fionn Murphy, ran at the Coláiste Mhuire defence and his rocket found the roof of the net. It was the kind of score to knock the stuffing out of a side and Westmeath woe was added to when Padraic Hayden raised another white flag for their rivals.

There didn’t seem to be any way back. Good Counsel looked to be in total control, but Coláiste Mhuire refused to buckle in the face of adversity.

The Mullingar side sensed the game wasn’t quite over yet: they attacked from deep, delivered a ball into none other than a defender turned attacker and when Zak Bates turned his man he was clear on goal.

He held his head and his beautifully placed shot slid past the diving Elliott Barrett in the Good Counsel goal. The eventual winners were ahead by a point. Against the elements, Good Counsel hit back but were unable to get a decisive shot on goal. At the other end, the impressive Stephen McWade knocked over a point. Only a goal would save the New Ross side but they were unable to even manufacture a chance.

Coláiste Mhuire scorers: H Corroon 1-0, Z Bates 1-0, S McWade 0-2, C Williams and T Weir 0-1 each.

Coláiste Mhuire team: Ben Thornton (Multyfarnham); Zak Bates (Multyfarnham), Cathal Keena (Ballynacargy), Adam Doyle (The Downs); Tom Weir (St Lomans), David Reilly (Shandonagh), Ryan Scott (Clonard); Tomas Brennan (Shandonagh), Fionn Carey (Shandonagh); Hugo Corroon (Shamrocks), Stephen McWade (Shandonagh), Martin Joseph Long (St Lomans); Cian Matthews (St Lomans), Louis Dillon (Milmore Gaels), Conor Williams (0-1, St Michaels). Sub: Luke Tully for Long (h-time).