Kiernan delighted with victory in a “crazy” final

ColáisTe Mhuire, Mullingar manager David Kiernan was thrilled with his side’s victory over Knockbeg College in the second year ‘A’ football final and reflected on a truly amazing game at the end of extra-time.

Coláiste Mhuire were forced to play with 13 men on two separate occasions as players picked up black cards and second yellow cards: it was difficult to keep pace with it all, but it was that kind of dramatic day in the Kildare GAA centre of excellence.

“You’d want a rule book with you to see who’s allowed back on and when, with added time and extra-time (thrown into the mix). But that’s the way it was: it was as crazy a game as you are ever going to see; as crazy a game as I’ve ever been involved in. That’s the way it goes and we’re delighted to be on the right side of it,” beamed Kiernan as his players celebrated an outstanding victory.

The winning manager paid tribute to their Carlow opponents who pushed them all the way in an epic game.

“Knockbeg tested us in every way and it took that much time to decide who was the better team and there wasn’t that much in it at the end. It’s great to come out on top. We are absolutely delighted to win,” he declared.

Looking back on the match, he felt his side hadn’t shown their true potential in the opening half, but they grew into the game and were rewarded for their perseverance.

“We didn’t play well in the first half at all and we felt that, in the second half, we knew we were playing well and thought, too early maybe, that we had it won. We let it slip; they came back, and we didn’t help ourselves, discipline-wise,” he observed.

“But in extra-time we rallied again and again. We told them at half-time in extra-time, ‘it’s now or never; we need two goals’. And I think they scored 2-1. So, it’s very hard to fault them; no matter what went wrong they corrected it. We are very proud of the players, but it’s all down to them and their fighting spirit. They didn’t let it go and that’s why they are champions.”

Kiernan felt his players not only showed skill and craft at times, but had the right attitude to grind out a victory.

The focus was always on getting an edge and players and management were trying everything to achieve this. Eventually it came together, he felt.

“There is huge character in the squad, anyone can see that. But it doesn’t always happen; it doesn’t always click and I suppose we were trying (too) hard to make it click. And the players are like that also. But they are a hard-working group, that’s what I always say,” he noted.

“At the start of every year, we know we have the talent, and we see the boys putting in the work. So when these things come off, as much as it’s a surprise to everyone, it’s a little less of a surprise to us because we know what the players are capable of, work rate and talent wise.”

For extra-time, Kiernan and his management team decided to push Conor Williams back into a more conventional full forward role and the decision paid dividends as he grabbed two priceless goals.

“We felt he is a player who knows what to do in front of goal and we hadn’t too many options, but he was a good one.

“Players were cramping up so we said we’d put him in full forward and put some of the kickers further out the field. And it worked,” he remarked.

“There’s not too many players capable of taking a goal like that (Williams’ first one) on the half volley.”

Coláiste Mhuire join a long list of traditionally strong schools to have won this prestigious competition and take home the Blackthorn Cup. They will naturally hope it leads to success at senior level in future years.