McWade’s frees crucial in hard-earned win for champions

Coláiste Mhuire 0-16, St Joseph's SS 1-6

By Gerry Buckley

Bro Bosco Cup holders Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar were given a stern test by fellow-Westmeath school St Joseph’s, Rochfortbridge – the champions as recently as Covid-interrupted 2020 – before emerging as worthy winners in drizzly but otherwise ideal conditions for football in Dovida Lakepoint Park last Monday week (December 1).

In truth, this was an unconvincing win for the team jointly-managed by Dean McNicholas, Brian Murtagh, Matthew Kearney and Ciaran Farrell. Unlike a year ago, this talented side has failed to sparkle to date with ongoing injury concerns for their marquee forward Will Scahill a major worry ahead of guaranteed tough knockout fixture(s). The young Shandonagh maestro was again forced off after less than a quarter of an hour at the home of St Loman’s, Mullingar, and it needed a second half tour de force from placed balls from his clubmate Stephen McWade to drag the local side over the line.

Kian Campell was impressive between the sticks for the losers in the early stages, in particular when he pulled off a fine save from Conor Cleary after the latter had played an eye-catching one-two with Criostóir Ormsby. A neat point from centre half back Michael Moloney appeared to have been followed by a trademark goal from Scahill in the fifth minute, but the ‘score’ was disallowed for a foul further out the pitch after the referee consulted his umpires.

In the eighth minute, Campbell saved superbly from Moloney at the expense of an unconverted ‘45’. Jack Duignan soon equalised at the end of a great St Joseph’s move. Paul Keating replicated this for Coláiste Mhuire and a tidy point from Cleary left the holders ahead by 0-3 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter.

Cian McKeogh was wide with a spectacular goal attempt for the team managed by Alan Giles and Eoghan Kevlihan. Inspirational captain Mikey Weir opened his account in style before Campbell came forward to score what proved to be the only two-pointer of the contest from a delightful 21st-minute free taken from the ground. Adam Buckley then pulled off a brave save from Duignan against the run of play. The boys in their changed strip of navy and green were wasteful, but a brace from McWade – open play and a free – still had them ahead by 0-6 to 0-3 at the interval.

A Joshua Kelleghan free some 80 seconds after the resumption of play kept the sky blue and navy-clad team well in contention. Buckley mishit a Coláiste Mhuire ‘45’ before Dean Kelly found the net with aplomb after a great piece of fielding in the 40th minute, to put the ‘Bridge boys ahead for the first time (1-4 to 0-6). Indeed, an improvised flick from the same player some two minutes later almost resulted in a second green flag. This let-off seemed to spur the champions into action, with McWade taking centre stage to slot over two tricky frees to restore his side’s lead by the end of the third quarter.

Weir doubled his tally in the 49th minute, but Cormac McKeogh cancelled this out in fine style to leave the gap at the bare minimum (0-9 to 1-5). However, the champions showed their mettle with a strong finishing burst. Three more McWade frees and one each from play by impressive sub Padraig Monaghan and Weir gave them some badly-needed breathing space. Kelly wrapped up St Joseph’s total from a free, with Monaghan (open play) and McWade (an excellent free conversion) closing the scoring with injury-time points at the other end.

Coláiste Mhuire now enter an open draw early this week for the Leinster quarter-finals, with the fixture scheduled for the week before Christmas. On this evidence, improvement will be needed if they are to hold on to the cup they won so memorably earlier this year.

Scorers – Coláiste Mhuire: S McWade 0-8 (7f), M Weir 0-3, P Monaghan 0-2, M Moloney, P Keating, C Cleary 0-1 each.

St Joseph’s: D Kelly 1-1 (0-1f), K Campbell 0-2 (2ptf), J Duignan, Cormac McKeogh, J Kelleghan (f) 0-1 each.

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Adam Buckley; Ben Sheerin, Ty Masterson, Sean Byrne; Eoin Donohue, Michael Moloney, Paul Keating; Criostóir Ormsby, Rory O’Brien; Mikey Weir, Stephen McWade, Conor Cleary; Will Scahill, Eoin Meehan, Kian Loughlin.

Subs used: Aaron Connaire for Scahill (inj., 14), Ronan Byrne for Meehan (40), Padraig Monaghan for Connaire (51).

St Joseph’s, Rochfortbridge: Kian Campbell; Tomas Donoghue, Oisín McCauley, Darragh Weblin; Cian McKeogh, Eoghan Daly, Tom Shaw; Cormac McKeogh, Cian Fleming; Sean Corrigan, Joshua Kelleghan, Sean Speller; Jack Carroll, Dean Kelly, Jack Duignan.

Subs used: Oisín Ó Muirí for Shaw (24), Alex Eighan for Donoghue (inj., 51).

Ref: Niall Ward (Garrycastle).