Brennan goal helps impressive Mullingar side sweep to victory

Coláiste 4-10, Coláiste Choilm 3-3

The bigger more physical Coláiste Mhuire were crowned Br Hubert cup champions when they powered over local side Coláiste Choilm at O’Connor Park, Tullamore last Tuesday.

The Mullingar side carried on from the fine form they showed when overcoming Ardee CS in the semi-final to win this title in pretty convincing fashion. It means Coláiste Mhuire has added yet another Leinster title to their ranks, already making for a great sporting year for the Mullingar nursery ahead of first and second year Leinster hurling semi-finals. They laid the platform for victory in the first half here and were 10 points clear at the break.

On one of the biggest sporting occasions for the young first year footballers from both schools, the heavens opened just before throw-in and did its best to destroy the conditions for both teams. But credit to both teams, the skill levels and score taking was exceptional, especially considering the wet ball and surface.

Tullamore had the better of the opening exchanges and Sam Heffernan kicked the opening score, the young Tullamore club player found the range from some 40m off his left foot. It took Mullingar time to settle and get into the Tullamore half, but once they did they nestled there and constantly attacked the Tullamore goal.

Mullingar’s Michael Brennan, for such a young player, made a mockery of the wet conditions, kicking a monster 45' to open their account. They didn’t look back. Cathal Kilmurray kicked the first score from play in the eighth minute. Brennan scored his second before the first goal arrived. Josh Scahill had the simplest of tasks to tap over a 21m free but his casual kick hit the crossbar and deflected off a Tullamore arm and into the net. Tristan Duncan added a score and the Millmore Gaels player had a goal-bound attempt saved by Oisín Rigney. It was all Mullingar and they were well in the ascendancy, leading by 1-4 to 0-2 in the 15th minute.

As the weather cleared up and the skies brightened in the second quarter, Mullingar piled on the pressure and Peadar Baird scored their second goal. Moments later Jamie Leech, a player with a stylish left foot, kicked a brace of excellent frees from distance and Coláiste Mullingar led by 2-6 to 0-2 at half-time.

Coláiste Choilm got the perfect start to the second half when their best player on the day, Jayden Daly beat Tom McCaul from close range for a badly needed Tullamore goal. But then Brennan again drew gasps from the stand, thumping a dead ball from some 35m over the bar. Brennan’s midfield partner Oliver Keane got his name on the scoresheet before Duncan scored their third goal: Scahill had moved further out the field and his vision and ability stood out all game. Scahill went for a score, but the ball dropped short and Duncan was first to react, tapping it past Rigney in the Tullamore goal.

Mullingar’s outstanding midfielder Brennan then went on a run before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the roof of Rigney’s net. That fourth goal was a blow to many for Tullamore and a goal to wrap up a deserving win. Tullamore to their credit kept battling away and they scored two consolation goals.

The first came from a penalty, Conall Minnock dispatched the spot kick past McCaul and substitute Evan Doran scored their third goal.

Tullamore battled to the end, but they were guilty of going for goals when they simply weren't on and routine tap over frees were available.

They could have closed the gap in the closing minutes of the game but Daly’s free kick was casual and hit the crossbar. Midfielder Minnock went for goal from another free, blazing his attempt erratically wide. They were trying to force scores and it was understandable as they were nine points adrift at that stage.

Both teams put on an entertaining game of football, there were some outstanding skills on display, especially free taking by Brennan and Leech. Mullingar were the bigger, more physical side and they used it to their full extent.

Scorers - Coláiste Mhuire: M Brennan 1-3 (2f; 1 ‘45’), T Duncan 1-1, J Scahill 1-1 (1-0f), P Baird 1-0, J Leech 0-2, C Kilmurray, O Keane and L Fitzsimons 0-1 each.

Coláiste Choilm: C Minnock 1-0, E Doran 1-1, J Daly 1-0, E Byrne 0-1, S Heffernan 0-1f.

Coláiste Mhuire: Tom McCaul, Aaron Wallace, Shay Leavy, Seán O’Connell, killian Raleigh, Scott Farrelly, Tom Leech, Michael Brennan, Oliver Keane, Jamie Leech, Luke Fitzsimons, Tristan Duncan, Cathal Kilmurray, Josh Scahill, Peadar Baird. Subs: Conor Glynn for Leech (40), Darragh Daly for Kilmurray (53), Ciaran McGrath for Baird (53), Seán Higgins for Wallace (56).

Coláiste Choilm: Oisin Rigney, Darragh Staunton, Jake Conlon, Harry Dunne, Fionn Daly Kane, Patrick ÓG. Moore, Fionnan Connolly, Conall Minnock, Aaron Mangan, Tomas Cassidy, Keith O’Rourke, Sam Heffernan, Billy Heffernan, Jayden Daly, Eoin Byrne. Subs used: Tim Cunningham for Kane (16), Evan Doran for Cassidy (26) Farragh Galvin, Daniel Conway, David O’Shea, Jack Brennan, Rory Farrell, Tom Lynch and Seán Finlay Scanlon.

Referee: Jamie McDonald (Laois).