Late Scahill strike points the way to historic victory

Coláiste Mhuire 3-11, Tralee CBS 1-16

The poet Seamus Heaney wrote of the longed-for tidal wave of justice. At Croke Park on St Patrick's Day, Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar, wrote their own history by capturing their first ever Hogan Cup football title.

They did so in typically resilient style, finding something extra at the end of a pulsating final to grab the final two points of the match and claim the prestigious All-Ireland senior 'A' football title for the first time.

Over 4,000 Coláiste Mhuire supporters turned up, outnumbering their Tralee counterparts and while the small number of fans were lost in the vastness of the great stadium, it still lent to a fantastic atmosphere.

The Mullingar side, appearing in the school's first ever final, got a dream start to lead by 1-4 to nil after five minutes, Will Scahill’s powerful finish finding the net in the third minute. Coláiste Mhuire could have had two further goals such was their early dominance.

A wonder goal by Conor Cleary after 15 minutes meant Coláiste Mhuire led by 2-5 to 0-4 at the end of the first quarter, while a superbly crafted third major just before the interval ensured Coláiste Mhuire of a six-point lead at the break (3-6 to 0-9). Wing-hack Michael Moloney fisted home from close-range after Finn Higgins’ fisted ball across the face of goal.

Tralee CBS were appearing in their second final having previously contested in 2007. There was a renewed urgency about them after the break and they got the opening two points, including a superb score from Ronan Carroll at centre-forward. Eoin Donohue’s vital interception on Carroll’s pass prevented a Tralee goal in the fourth minute.

In the 40th minute, midfielder Cian McKenna tucked away an excellent goal as Tralee CBS assumed complete control; they scored 1-5 to Coláiste Mhuire’s 0-2, drawing level in what seemed like ominous fashion, with 13 minutes remaining.

It remained 3-8 to 1-14 until the 54th minute when Nick Lacey, the deft Tralee CBS corner-forward, put his side in front for the first time with a quality point. Moloney equalised as Coláiste Mhuire showed resolve, but Gearóid White fisted over after a 60-metre run.

However, late points by Finn Higgins and Will Scahill put Coláiste Mhuire ahead two minutes into added time and in dramatic fashion, Tralee CBS had a late, late free from 60 metres that drifted wide. Midfielder Máirtín McKivergan, who nailed a two-point free in the first half, just failed to keep the shot on target.

The final whistle moments later brought a release of sheer joy and elation as the Mullingar side celebrated a historic success.

The management team of Dean McNicholas, Brian Murtagh and Matthew Kearney hailed their players' collective resolve and never say die attitude, traits that came the fore not just in Croke Park, but throughout this historic campaign.

Later that evening, hundreds of supporters turned out in Mullingar to greet the newly crowned All-Ireland champions, acknowledging the enormity of their achievement. Coláiste Mhuire Principal Keith Quinn and Deputy Principal, Niall O'Brien, led the tributes to the players and management team.

Michael Moloney, who scored 1-2 from wing-back in a wonderful display that earned him the official Man of The Match award, was lost for words after the final whistle.

"It’s unbelievable; I can’t believe it; I’m speechless. Those last few minutes were just (incredible). I don’t know what to say - we have worked so hard for this for the past two years. This is where we always wanted to be and now we’ve done it. I can’t speak!" he said.

"In extra-time against Abbey CBS (Newry) and again today, we showed the unreal grit that we have between our teeth. Just the character that we have. That has been instilled by our three managers, Kearney, Murtagh, McNicholas - for two years they have been working towards this. We hadn’t won a school’s game in a couple of years and then something just clicked. It’s all about hard work and it has paid off today."

Coláiste Mhuire were seven points ahead midway through the first half and led by six at the break, but Tralee CBS came storming back to take the lead in the final minute of normal time and set up a pulsating finish. Two late scores from Finn Higgins and Will Scahill secured an incredible victory.

“We have been doing it all year - we could have been out of Leinster in the quarter-final, but for the width of the post against St Pat’s (Navan). I suppose, it’s just that we never panic. In training we are always working on scenarios where we are one or two points down with a minute to go. We stay calm. And that showed today with Will (Scahill) getting that final point,” remarked Moloney.

“It’s the composure that we have as a team - that showed today.”

On the enormity of it all, Moloney admitted the significance of a first ever All-Ireland victory hadn’t yet sunk in, but said there will be great celebrations in the coming weeks.

“It means everything: this kind of success isn’t usual for Mullingar or Westmeath. Before last year’s Leinster success, the previous Leinster title was won back in the 1980s. This is historic and we are definitely going to celebrate it,” he added.

Scorers - Coláiste Mhuire: M Moloney 1-2, W Scahill 1-2, P Keating 0-3, C Cleary 1-0, K Loughlin, F Higgins, S McWade, M Weir 0-1 each. Tralee CBS: M McKivergan 0-4 (1tp free), R Carroll 0-4 (3f), N Lacey 0-3, C McKenna 1-0, G White and E O’Flaherty 0-2 each, T O’Connor 0-1.

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Adam Buckley; Ben Sheerin, Ty Masterson, Eoin Donohue; Michael Weir (Capt.), Seán Byrne, Michael Moloney; Críostóir Ormsby, Rory O’Brien; Paul Keating, Kian Loughlin, Conor Cleary; Will Scahill, Finn Higgins, Stephen McWade. Subs: Seán Hayes for McWade (46), Padraig Monaghan for Cleary (60+1).

Tralee CBS: Olivier Lata; Michael Enright, Eoin Moriarty, Stephen Turner; Fionnán Ryan, Eoin O’Flaherty, Mikey Corridon; Máirtín McKivergan, Cian McKenna; Tadhg O’Connor, Ronan Carroll, Tom Quilter; Ryan Hurley, Gearóid White, Nick Lacey. Subs: Cillian Hurley for O’Connor (44), Darragh Murphy for Hurley (48).

Ref: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).