Where there’s a Will, there’s a way

Coláiste Mhuire reached the Bro Bosco Cup final for the second year running as they overcame Naas CBS, 2-16 to 0-14, at Gracefield GAA grounds in Offaly today.

Manager Dean McNicholas said it was a proud day for the Mullingar college and when asked about the outstanding performance from attacking ace Will Scahill, he said Coláiste Mhuire are fortunate to have such quality in their ranks.

“He's excellent. I think everyone knows about him in the country. We're blessed to have him here, and we're blessed to have him next year also,” he remarked.

Shandonagh star Scahill scored his side’s first goal and continued to impress in the second half with some superb two-pointers from both open play and set play in a personal haul of 1-11. The second goal, a deft finish with the left boot, came from talented wing-forward Stephen McWade, Scahill's club colleague.

Midfielder Criostóir Ormsby also excelled in a terrific second half performance from the defending champions.

“We really got control of midfield and that probably gave us the platform to go forward,” observed McNichoals.

“I think a lot of lads really stood up. The two boys (Ormsby and Rory O’Brien) were brilliant. And then, even more impressive, I thought, was the lads under the break. They didn't win every ball clean in the air, but it was, I suppose, the hunger from the lads around there to get underneath the breaking ball. With the new rules, it's a huge platform to have.”

Coláiste Mhuire now have their second Bro Bosco Cup final in two years to look forward to - last year was their first Leinster senior football success in 42 years.

“There’s a great buzz about the place, and at school. I suppose it's just the younger lads looking up to these lads and it's all about momentum. Naas have had it for years; they've won five titles (and been in six finals) so we didn't underestimate today,” remarked McNicholas.

Coláiste Mhuire will meet Marist College, Athlone in an all-Westmeath decider on February 7, the venue for which has yet to be confirmed (Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, looks most likely).

Before that, up to 12 dual players, including the aforementioned Scahill, are involved in the senior ‘A’ hurling semi-final against Kilkenny CBS next Wednesday.

“No-one's getting ahead of themselves, I suppose. Look, when you're on the crest of a wave, it's always important to keep going. And momentum is so important in the sport, as we know. You can get into a habit of winning. We seem to have just had that at the moment,” said McNicholas.

Coláiste Mhuire and Marist College met two years ago in the Leinster junior final which needed penalty kicks before the Mullingar side prevailed.

McNicholas feels his side will need to improve on their first half display.

“The two goals were tucked away very well at important times as well, but we were probably disappointed not to have a couple of other scorers on the board. We had 13 shots, only five of which were converted, and we dropped three or four into the ‘keeper's hands. So, we could have been a few more points ahead at half-time,” he noted.

Injuries have been difficult to manage this far, but McNicholas and his management team will be hoping that everyone comes through the next week unscathed.

“We had very few injuries last year, whereas this year has been challenging: a lot of lads with different injuries and niggles. Across the last couple of months, we've had five different lads in boots with ankle injuries and so on. There have been different challenges this year. But the experience from last year definitely stands to us,” he added.