Geoghegan and Slevin goals crucial in fine Coláiste Mhuire victory

Coláiste Mhuire 2-7, St Pat’s, Navan 1-6

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar, produced a great start to a big week as they captured the North Leinster second-year ‘A’ football final, defeating St Pat’s, Navan, at Dunganny on Tuesday.

It finished 2-7 to 1-6 in the Mullingar side’s favour following goals from Sam Geoghegan and substitute Paidí Slevin. Geoghegan’s first-half finish was stunning, while Slevin showed composure to slot home a low strike after the break.

St Pat’s had three first-half goal chances, but ‘keeper Iarlaith Sweeney was superb for the Mullingar side, producing two crucial saves at point-blank range, while their defence scrambled really well to avert further threat.

At half-time, in bright wintry conditions, Coláiste Mhuire led by 1-4 to 0-3 and they were forced to work really hard for that advantage. A terrific goal by Sam Geoghegan after 25 minutes proved crucial in that regard, the centre-forward joining the end of a great move involving Oisín Keena and Oisín Coyne before crashing the ball to the roof of the net. Earlier, they relied on three Ben Loughlin frees to fend off a strong St Pat’s side, for whom corner-forward Eoin Hosie and wing-forward Thomas Kelly kicked points.

James Nea at full-back and wing-forward Harry Brennan both made crucial defensive blocks for the Mullingar side, while a fine save from ‘keeper Iarlaith Sweeney denied St Pat’s full-forward Liam Fallon. Ciaran Norris converted a St Pat’s free, however, to give the home side some reward for their efforts and leave the game delicately poised.

St Pat’s had another decent goal chance in the 23rd minute when centre-forward Mossie Gillic was through, but once more Sweeney produced a great save. Geoghegan’s goal soon followed at the other end, giving Coláiste Mhuire clear momentum and renewed confidence.

Midfielder Patrick Wallace made a great break and, when he was clearly pushed in the back, the ball spilled out for a ‘45’ off a St Pat’s defender. The resulting kick was superbly slotted between the posts by corner-forward Oisín Coyne, ensuring a four-point cushion at the interval.

The second half saw the Navan school produce a fightback as substitute Harry Smith set up full-forward Liam Fallon for an early point. Fallon followed that with a sharp turn and finish to leave it 1-4 to 0-5 after five minutes. Clearly, the Coláiste full-back line was under pressure to curb Fallon’s threat.

Coláiste Mhuire turned the game again with a superb piece of quick thinking. Midfielder Fionn Bradley was fouled after Geoghegan’s pass and he quickly spotted substitute Paidí Slevin making a break, with Slevin keeping his composure impressively to slot home a low shot to the bottom corner of the net.

As the match entered its final quarter, Oisín Keena linked up with Ben Loughlin, whose strength and accuracy impressed as he made it 2-5 to 0-5 in Coláiste Mhuire’s favour. However, the home side found an instant response, wing-forward Luke Gaffney playing the ball inside where Ciaran Norris linked up with wing-back Daragh McCoy, whose powerful shot beat Sweeney for the only time in the contest.

The next score was crucial and it went to the visitors. Ben Loughlin, having been fouled, showed his class to convert a tricky free from 30 metres and open up a four-point lead with seven minutes remaining. St Pat’s were under pressure and were down to 14 men at this stage. Geoghegan played a one-two with Loughlin before getting Coláiste Mhuire’s final score.

In added time, St Pat’s converted a free through Liam Fallon and went in search of a goal with a probing ball across the danger area from McCoy. However, Sweeney marshalled his area and James Nea started a counter-attack.

Oisín Coyne, Oisín Keena and Sam Geoghegan combined in the final attack, the latter’s effort flashing wide of goal. It mattered little as Coláiste Mhuire were soon celebrating a fantastic victory.

Team captains James Nea and Ben Loughlin accepted the trophy from Padraig Burke, on behalf of Leinster Post Primary Schools, and the celebrations began.

Scorers - Coláiste Mhuire: B Loughlin 0-5 (4f), S Geoghegan 1-1, P Slevin 1-0, O Coyne 0-1 (‘45’).

St Pat’s: D McCoy 1-0, L Fallon 0-3 (1f), E Hosie, T Kelly and C Norris (free) 0-1 each.

Coláiste Mhuire: Iarlaith Sweeney; Jack Cahill, James Nea, Liam O’Domhnaill; Liam Doyle, Conor Walters, Michael Long; Patrick Wallace, Fionn Bradley; Darragh Orme, Sam Geoghegan, Harry Brennan; Oisín Coyne, Oisín Keena, Ben Loughlin. Sub: Paidí Slevin for Long.

St Pat’s: Cian Reeves; Fionn Tobin, Adam Fallon, Hugh Corbett; Daragh McCory, Evan McKeever, Paddy O’Sullivan; Alex Brady, Cathal Rodgers; Luke Gaffney, Mossie Gillic, Thomas Kelly; Ciaran Norris, Liam Fallon, Eoghan Hosie. Subs: Harry Smith for Rodgers, Cormac McCann for Kelly (inj.), Morgan Martin for Gaffney, Daniel Holland for O’Sullivan.

Referee: Eamon O’Connor (Offaly).