Heroes return to Coláiste Mhuire after historic success

It was an evening of jubilation at Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar, on Saturday as the senior footballers were afforded a homecoming celebration. A Garda escort brought the new Leinster champions from the Mullingar Park Hotel through the town and team captain Matthew Thornton led his colleagues to waiting supporters in the school yard.

A gripping extra-time victory in Tullamore saw Coláiste Mhuire overcome a formidable opponent in Ardscoil na Tríonóide, Athy by 3-10 to 1-13. This landmark win, their second ever title and first in 42 years, was met with heartfelt speeches from school leadership and the three management team members.

Principal Keith Quinn opened the proceedings by paying tribute to the players, management, and supporters. “This is a very historic day for us here in Coláiste Mhuire. We're 42 years waiting for this title to be brought back here to Mullingar soil, and it is fantastic that it's this group of men here that have been able to do it, and do it in such great style,” he said. “Not just today, but throughout the entire season; and the season is now not over yet, as we well know. So we look forward to the next day out that we're going to have, and particularly with our supporters. Our hardcore supporters certainly played a huge part in the victory.”

Deputy Principal Niall O’Brien, who has been at Coláiste Mhuire for over 30 years, was MC for the event and he invited team captain Matthew Thornton to share his thoughts on leading the team to victory. “I was glad, just the support, it was unbelievable, and the commitment from the boys this year has been unbelievable. So we had no doubt this morning; we sat here in a meeting and there was no nerves, no nothing; it was jokes, we all fit in together and thanks to the three boys, because they made it happen, so I'm delighted,” he said.

Asked what was said at half-time, he replied: “There was no shouting at all. We were all quiet; there were some words said, but we were calm. That was the position we needed to be in. We were a bit behind in the first half, and although we went down by four points in the second half, in fairness to the boys, they never gave up and we got a few rewards in the end.”

Quizzed on the feeling in the camp heading into extra-time, he joked: “A lot of cramp, I'd say. Thanks to the boys for that, but I know we were delighted with Ben Sheerin. I don't know if he scored any points at all this year, but he scored the one that matters, so that's the main thing. And you know what, the red card was probably beneficial to us for sure. We got a black card and a red card there at the end, so it was an even match for a few minutes. Coach Dean McNicholas praised the team spirit.

“We dug it out in the end with the goal from Paul Keating; that goes to show the panel. I’ve always said to the boys, it was the 15 to 30 that made this thing happen this year. Without 15 to 30 there, an average of 26 lads are training, it's unbelievable. You can't do these training games and matches without the boys there, not starting; it's hard to turn up to training at 7am if you're not getting a jersey or minutes. Fair play to the boys; thank you,” he said.

“I’m just so proud of every single one of the players; they’re an absolute credit to their families. They made an awful lot of people proud today, including the three of us. I’m just absolutely delighted to be up here to be honest with you.”

Niall O’Brien asked about the All-Ireland semi-final against Claremorris in two weeks’ time, and the fact that Coláiste Mhuire are one of the top four schools in the country.

“Yeah, and one game away from Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day, all these things. We’ll enjoy it tonight and tomorrow, but it’s back to business on Monday,” replied McNicholas.

Brian Murtagh provided an insight into the team’s battle-worn journey.

“Scores weren’t coming easy for us, definitely not, but we were getting the shots off and that’s what we’ve said all year. We back the lads to keep taking the shots. Even though the lads were missing shots, we knew in the second half we had the aid of a bit of a breeze. You might not have noticed it from the stand, but there was definitely a breeze going down in the second half, and we knew if we were still getting the same amount of shots off, we’d put them over the bar.

“It’s only the second time all year that we’ve went behind and we definitely never went four points behind, but it’s something we have accounted for. If setbacks were going to happen, we had to be prepared for that and not panic. When there were five minutes to go and we were still in the game, [we knew] opportunities would open up and we’d get the scores. Thankfully Ben Sheerin scored the point. He was marking one of their main men and he kept him absolutely quiet. But it’s not just Ben, any one of the lads could have stood up in that situation and kicked the ball over the bar.”

Matthew Kearney praised the wonderful commitment of the players. “These lads attended 61 training sessions, many early mornings, and their defeats in previous years only served to drive them on. A lot of these lads who are in Leaving Cert now, we had them when they were only in TY, and that wasn’t successful; we endured a lot of defeats. The mantra this year was one game at a time, and that didn’t change today either. Even at full time, there was a real belief in the dressing room that there was only going to be one winner at the end of the day because we’ve been looking at these lads 61 times this year - early mornings, late evenings, whatever is asked of them, and they’re unbelievable. They deserve all the credit and everything that comes along with it,” he said. Dean McNicholas acknowledged the families and the clubs of the players.

“I just want to say thanks a million for your support throughout the year. When I went looking for the video that we could put together yesterday, the one common thing throughout every parent was the early morning session. There’s no doubt there were a couple of maybe rows the night before, but thanks a million for bringing the lads in. It’s your support that has these lads up here today on the pedestal.

“And in relation to the clubs, we have nine clubs represented here today, which is an unbelievable achievement. We only get to see the lads for four or five months of the year, so what we can do is realistically limited. It’s the work of the clubs here in Mullingar and the wider area that has really produced the standard of player over here.”

Matt Kearney concluded: “These lads have given us so much joy this year. One of the boys already alluded to the pride we have in looking at you, seeing what you can do and showing it on such a big provincial stage. Lads, you deserve every bit of credit that you get.”

The ceremony also featured a special segment recognising the Man of The Match award, sponsored by Mattie Murray (Murray and Son Bus Hire). Announcing the winner, Niall O’Brien said victory was about a big collective effort.

“I’d love if there were 15, 18, 20 men of the match awards here, because to a man, they worked their socks off from start to finish. They took hits, they were brave, they went down, so while one person gets this, I would suggest that it’s one the entire 15, 20 lads should take. Scores don’t come easy, and when we need one, this man is always on hand to do it. I think today he got 2-6. Remarkable, remarkable player, remarkable talent – Will Scahill.”

The evening concluded with chief supporter Zak Bates paying tribute to the players and leading his colleagues in a rousing song, wrapping up a celebration that epitomised the character and determination of the team. With the Br Bosco Cup now firmly in their grasp, Coláiste Mhuire can look ahead with renewed vigour to future challenges.