Gaelscoil’s collective strength proves decisive

Cumann na mBunscol Westmeath Division 3 football final: Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, an Mhuileann gCearr 4-9, Clonmellon NS 2-10

Following a close and very competitive affair, it was Mullingar’s Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn who took the spoils against a tenacious Clonmellon NS side, in the Division 3 football decider on Wednesday.

Trailing 2-9 to 4-6 with four minutes remaining, Clonmellon missed a scoring chance and with that went their chances of upsetting the odds, but the winners certainly had to survive a couple of scary moments in the closing stages.

Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn led throughout, establishing a seven-point advantage with eight minutes played courtesy of goals from Matthew Webb, Oisín Ó Muirí (who fisted home) and Leigh Ó Conaing. Christopher Monaghan’s wonderful pass set up Jamie McGuinness for a Clonmellon major on seven minutes, but they didn’t have the same collective strength as the winners.

At half-time it was 4-3 to 2-4 in Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn’s favour, with the fourth goal slapped home by Ó Conaing in the 16th minute. Cian Healy Cassidy’s strike after 14 minutes ensured Clonmellon NS remained very competitive and the Mullingar side was kept up to its task even with a useful lead.

In the second half, Scott Ó Faircheallaigh (37th minute) and Jake Mac Giolla Mhaoil (24th and 38th minutes) contributed some quality scores for the victors, with Oisín O Gáibhín strong at full back. Meanwhile, Christopher Monaghan’s classy point for Clonmellon at the start of the second half was another of the game’s highlights.

Afterwards, Daithí Ó Fiaich (treasurer of Westmeath Cumann na mBunscol) presented the cup to the winning captain, Oisín O Gaibhín.

Scorers – Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn: M Webb 1-3 (0-2f), L Ó Conaing 2-0, O Ó Muirí 1-1, S Ó Faircheallaigh agus J Mac Giolla Mhaoil 0-2 an ceann, C Mac Domhnaill 0-1. Clonmellon NS: J McGuinness 1-3 (0-3f), C H Casserly 1-0, C Monaghan 0-3 (2f), S Hendrick and C L Raleigh 0-2 each.

Foireann Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, an Mhuileann gCearr: Dillon Ó Briain, Eoin Mac Fhionnlaigh, Oisín Ó Gáibhín (capt.), Seán Ó Conaill, Luke Ó Ceallaigh, Scott Ó Faircheallaigh, John Mac Giolla Bhríde, Matthew Webb, Oisín Ó Muirí, Jake Mac Giolla Mhaoil, Leigh Ó Conaing, Liam Mac Giollarnath, Conor Mac Fhloinn, Zach Mac Giolla Bhríde, Ethan Seoige, Fionn Leadús, Adam Mac Comhaill, Hugh Mac Diarmada, Cian Mac Domhnaill, Emmet Ó Cearúlláin, Charlie Ó Buachain.

Clonmellon NS panel: Ciarán Mulvany (joint capt.), Eoin Doherty, Josh Mulvany, Jamie McGuinness (joint capt.), Jack McGuinness, Shane Hendrick, Cian Healy Casserly, Christopher Monaghan, Ben Malone, Luke Finnegan, Mark Lynch, Daelan Briody, Aaron Reilly, Shane Cox, Conor Leonard Raleigh, Jamie O’Growney, Marcus Mangan, Oisín McGuinness, Killian O’Reilly, Jamie Davis, Ciarán Muldoon, Evan Rooney, Liam Geraghty, Seán Farrell, Luka Malone, Peter McCarthy, Brian Smith.

Ref: JJ Brady (Milltownpass).

Player of the match: Matthew Webb (Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, an Mhuileann gCearr).