Williams excels in impressive win for Coláiste Mhuire side

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar 5-28, Coláiste Eoin 0-10

By Gerry Buckley

A tour de force by Lough Lene Gaels corner forward Conor Williams was the main talking point as a hugely impressive Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar Second Year outfit claimed the Leinster ‘B’ hurling title by overwhelming Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan in ideal conditions for hurling in Ballinteer last Tuesday afternoon.

The Irish-speaking Dublin school is noted for its prowess at both hurling and football, but they had no answer to the all-round excellence of their opponents in green jerseys, who led from start to finish and scored a range of really top-class goals and points.

The winners, under the tutelage of Micheál Lawler and Ciarán Farrell, led by 1-5 to 0-0 after 12 minutes. The goal was scored by the aforementioned Williams from a dipping free in the fifth minute, with the points shared between the latter (two, one from a '65'), Stephen McWade (also two), and Cian Matthews (one). Coláiste Eoin’s most consistent player on the day, Tom Ó hAllmhuráin opened his side’s account from a 13th-minute free – the award seemed soft.

The Mullingar boys added another 1-2 to their tally (a McWade goal, either side of points from the same player from open play, and Williams from a ‘65’) before sub Harry Mac Eoghain converted a long-range free at the other end. Coláiste Mhuire were on fire and they quickly pounced for a further 1-5 without reply. The goal was a deft flick by Zak Bates, while the white flags came courtesy of Williams (three, including a free), Matthews, and Rhys Brady. Ó hAllmhuráin slotted over a great point in the 29th minute, but his side still trailed by 3-12 to 0-3 at the interval.

Ó hAllmhuráin completed his points’ hat-trick shortly after play resumed. However, the Mullingar lads took over again and rattled over nine more unanswered points by the 39th minute from the sticks of Williams (five, including one free), Matthews, McWade (two), and Shane Murray. Ó hAllmhuráin (a free) and sub Ryan McNamee traded points, as did Ethan de Bheirlinn (only the losers’ second score from play) and Williams (a free), Williams (from play) and Seán de Búrca. Coláiste Mhuire now led by 3-24 to 0-7 midway through the second moiety.

There was no let-up from a well-drilled outfit in the final quarter, during which they outscored the boys in the multi-coloured jerseys by 2-4 (the goals from McNamee and Williams, and the points from a Williams free, and from play by Hugo Corroon, Aidan Doyle, and Seán Coyne) to 0-3 (all from Ó hAllmhuráin, including one free).

After the game, on behalf of the Leinster Post Primary Schools Council, Jim Murphy presented the cup to Coláiste Mhuire’s captain and vice-captain respectively, Aidan Doyle and Conor Williams.

Scorers – Coláiste Mhuire: C Williams 2-14 (1-4f, 0-2‘65’), S McWade 1-5, R McNamee 1-1, Z Bates 1-0, C Matthews 0-3, R Brady, A Doyle, S Murray, H Corroon, S Coyne 0-1 each.

Coláiste Eoin: T Ó hAllmhuráin 0-7 (4f), H Mac Eoghain (f), E de Bheirlinn, S de Búrca 0-1 each.

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Connor Cassidy; Oisín Gavin, Tomás Brennan, Calum McHugh; Fionn Kelly, MJ Long, Oisín Scally; Rhys Brady, Ciarán Casserly; Zak Bates, Cian Matthews, Aidan Doyle; Stephen McWade, Shane Murray, Conor Williams. Subs used: Ryan McNamee for Murray (39), Cathal Flanagan for Kelly (43), Shane O’Mara for McHugh (50), Hugo Corroon for Williams (inj., 51), Conor Williams for McWade (53), Seán Coyne for Williams (54).

Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan: Tom Ó Buachalla; Dara Ó Sé, Donncha Ó Cléirigh, Jayden Ó Biadha; Ossie Mac Giolla Chainnigh, Paul Ó Fearghail, Vincent Tóibín; Seán de Búrca, Ethan de Bheirlinn; Evan Ó Caithnaidh, Tom Ó hAllmhuráin, Culann Ó Murchú; Scott Mac Donnchaidh, Micheál Townsend, Rory Ó Dubhchóin. Subs used: Harry Mac Eoghain for Ó Murchú (inj., 15), Oisín Ó Conghaíle for Mac Giolla Chainnigh (h-t), Aidan Ó Mórdha for Mac Eoghain (39).

Ref: Eddie Leonard (Wicklow).