Powerful second half display gives Coláiste Mhuire victory
Bro Bosco Cup final: Coláiste Mhuire 3-16, Marist College 2-13
Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar have retained the Bro Bosco Cup following an impressive second half display that secured a six-point victory over Marist College, Athlone, at TEG Cusack Park.
At half-time it was Marist College who led by a point, 1-4 to 0-6, and they looked the better side at that stage, with James McHugh and Sean Whittaker most prominent, Darragh Lough also causing problems for the Coláiste Mhuire defence.
However, Coláiste Mhuire dominated primary possession in the second half and Críostóir Ormsby led the charge from midfield, while Sean Byrne and Michael Moloney were immense in the half-back line as they scored 3-10. Will Scahill’s goal on 46 minutes was the catalyst, while Conor Cleary and substitute Eoin Meehan both added majors.
Afterwards, Michael Weir accepted the cup from Paddy Scales, Chairman of Leinster Post Primary Schools.
The winning captain hailed the contribution of the management team - Dean McNicholas, Brian Murtagh and Mathew Kearney - while he praised the collective resolve of Coláiste Mhuire, which shone through when Marist College applied serious pressure in the first half.
James McHugh produced an outstanding display for Marist College, who were bidding for a first Bro Bosco Cup title, and his 2-8 haul (including two two-pointer frees and a stunning two-pointer from play) was worthy of winning any match. But it was the stranglehold which Coláiste Mhuire held in the midfield sector that proved the difference and their half-backline really impressed, contributing six points between them: Michael Weir, Sean Byrne and Michael Moloney were certainly a formidable triumvirate on the day.
And Man of The Match Ormsby was a tower of strength in the engine room as Coláiste Mhuire won their third title at this level, their second in succession.
Coláiste Mhuire now play the Ulster champions in the All-Ireland semi-final: Abbey CBS of Newry and St Pat’s of Dungannon are the finalists in that seriously competitive province.
Dean McNichoals said: "We are really looking forward to producing a better performance this year. Last year there was a bit of sickness in the camp and it had an impact, but we have that experience under our belt now and it will stand to us."
Matthew Kearney remarked: "Primary possession is now crucial in Gaelic football and our guys got on top at midfield and in the half-back line in the second half. That ultimately was the difference."
Brian Murtagh praised the quality of Marist College and the skill levels shown by James McHugh and Sean Whittaker at different stages. "We needed those goals to give us the breathing space at the end," he noted.
Kevin Fagan of Marist College, while proud of his side's effort, praised the quality of the Coláiste Mhuire midfield in the second half and felt that was the key factor in their success.
Scorers - Coláiste Mhuire: W Scahill 1-2 (0-2f), R O'Brien 0-4 (1tp), C Cleary 1-1, E Meehan 1-1, M Weir, S Byrne and M Moloney 0-2 each, C Ormsby and F Higgins 0-1 each. Marist College: J McHugh 2-8 (2 2ptf; 1 tp; 2f), D Murray 0-2 (1tp), D Glennon, S Whittaker and D Lough 0-1 each.
Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Adam Buckley; Seamus O’Brien, Ty Masterson, Eoin Donohue; Michael Weir (capt), Sean Byrne, Michael Moloney; Críostóir Ormsby, Padraig Monaghan; Paul Keating, Rory O’Brien, Conor Cleary; Will Scahill, Finn Higgins, Kian Loughlin. Subs: James Flynn for Sheerin (inj., 48), Sean Hayes for Monaghan (52), Eoin Meehan for Keating (inj., 56), Ronan Byrne for S Byrne (58) Stephen McWade for Higgins (60+1).
Marist College, Athlone: Zac Mullally; Tadgh Fallon, Jacob Bourke, Sean Keegan; Diarmuid O’Higgins, Sean McDonnell, Darragh Murray; Adam Smyth (JC), Donal Dawson; William Geraghty, Darragh Glennon, Cian Duffy; Sean Whitaker, James McHugh, Daragh Lough. Subs: John Timlin for Lough (inj., 40), Daire Burke for Geraghty (44), Gary Staunton for Keegan (55), Andrew Cotton for Duffy (58), Rory McMickan for Smyth (60+3).
Referee: Marius Stones (Offaly).