Eye-catching victory for impressive Coláiste Mhuire side
Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar 1-11, Naas CBS 1-2
Mullingar’s Coláiste Mhuire produced an impressive display to record an emphatic victory over Naas CBS, in the Br Bosco Cup, at Springfield, Mullingar on Tuesday and qualify for the preliminary quarter-final.
Inspired by Will Scahill, Coláiste Mhuire answered every question that was posed and in the end came away with a nine-point win to top their group with three victories. Just watching them, how well coached and organised they are, it’s easy to appreciate why many observers feel they can have a long run in this prestigious competition.
At half-time they led by 0-7 to 0-2 having played against the breeze: Scahill’s pace was always a threat and Naas were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes when Oisín O’Neill picked up a black card for stopping the corner forward’s run. Five unanswered points ensured Coláiste Mhuire established a strong position by the end of the opening quarter and they never relinquished their grip.
Naas enjoyed huge chunks of possession, but couldn’t find a way to break down a well structured Mullingar defence and that was the story of the game. The key moment arrived when the Kildare school scored a goal through Evan Lenehan in the 54th minute to throw themselves a lifeline and almost instantly, the Mullingar side replied when Scahill raced through and found the net.
For good measure, strong midfielder Eoin Conlon added a late point from play, completing a fine victory. The result ensures Coláiste Mhuire qualify as group winners, facing Malahide CS or St Fintan's HS Sutton, while Naas CBS, who have won three Br Bosco titles in succession, have to recover and win their final game against Ard Scoil Rís to get through.
Scorers - Coláiste Mhuire: W Scahill 1-3 (0-2f), M Thornton (2f) and C Heffernan 0-2 each, D Smith, M Weir, O O’Hara and E Conlon 0-1 each.
Naas CBS: E Lenehan 1-0, E Cowser and L Kenny 0-1 each.
Coláiste Mhuire: Adam Buckley; Ben Sheerin, Adam Glynn, Conor Daly; Ben McNamee, Michael Weir, Darragh Smith; Eoin Conlon, Donnacha Maguire; Oisín O’Hara, Matthew Thornton, Conor Heffernan; Will Scahill, Eoin Meehan, Sean Byrne. Subs: Peadar Glennon for O’Hara (48), Paul Keating for Heffernan (52), Finn Higgins for Scahill (59).
Naas CBS: Gavin Farrell; Oisin O'Neill, Matthew O'Connor, Conor Breen; Aran Martin, Rob Murray, Liam Kenny; Cian McKevitt, Dara Cooke; Niall McAndrew, Sean Tully, Aidan McGrane; Evan Lenehan, Euan Cowser, Tom Boran. Subs: Jack Courtney for McGrane (HT), Ben McDonnell for Boran (36), Aaron Grainger, Oisin Loughran and Eli Dhlos for McAndrew, O’Connor and Tully (48).
Ref: Niall Ward (Garrycastle).