What a week for the boys and girls who represent Scoil Mhuire on the gaelic football pitch.
On Tuesday, the junior boys got back on the winning trail with an excellent performance against GSNP in Griffeen. Mr Kirwan has a full report on this game elsewhere on this website . Then on Wednesday. our girls’ team created history by becoming the first girls’ football team from Scoil Mhuire to reach a Croke Park final.
Not to be outdone, the senior boys followed suit on Thursday with a thrilling semi final victory to ensure that all roads will shortly lead to Croke Park.
Girls’ Football Semi-Final
Scoil Mhuire 1-8
Brackenstown 1-6
Brackenstown made the long journey from Swords on Wednesday 14th October and they certainly made the Lucan girls battle all the way. Despite having the vast majority of possession , we found it hard to get scores between the small posts in Lucan Sarsfields. Brackenstown kept in touch all the way and at half time the teams were tied at 0-4 apiece. Scoil Mhuire came charging out of the blocks in the second half and Shannon Byrne blasted a penalty to the net to open a bit of daylight between the teams. Back came Brackenstown with a goal of their own to set up a grandstand finish. It required some heroic defending from Faye Monaghan, Sarah Lovett and Niamh Mc Clelland to prevent certain scores. Anna Capcarrere also made a point-blank save to keep our opponents at bay. The final whistle brought scenes of unbridled joy as the girls realised they hade made history. Clodagh Mc Donnell was outstanding and others to shine were Bevin Kelleher, Shannon Byrne, Maria Furmaniak , Niamh Roche and Rosana Rotaru. A special mention to Ella Foster who crawled out of her sick bed to inspire her team and pick off some lovely scores.
Well done to Ms Ryan and Ms Lowry who will be paying their second visit to Croke Park in three years, with the girls’ football team following in the footsteps of our camogie team who reached a final two years ago.
Boys’Football Semi Final
Scoil Mhuire 7-7
St David’s Artane 6-8
Not a game for the faint hearted. Mr Egan described it as a “brilliant game” and “a joy to watch”. Not very enjoyable for the manager though as the Scoil Mhuire team and supporters experienced every conceivable emotion during the course of the game . At the final whistle the overriding feeling was relief and joy as we just held on to secure a thrilling victory against very worthy opponents.
The first half went by in the blink of an eye and at half time Scoil Mhuire held a four point lead and had wind advantage to come in the second half.
However a few early second half misses by the Lucan boys seemed to give confidence to St David’s and they gradually gained control of the game so that with three minutes remaining, we trailed by two points and looked set to repeat last year’s heart-breaking semi final defeat. Then up stepped man of the match Reece Lamphiere to smash home what proved to be the winning goal. Alex Hickey, another star player, added a point but then we had to hang on for dear life as St David’s launched one final attack which luckily for us went wide.
And so a first football final appearance for the boys since the end of our golden era in 1998. Mr Kirwan’s brother Michael , captained Scoil Mhuire that day, and the boys who featured that day are all now in their late twenties.
As well as the two boys already mentioned, other stars on a stellar day for Scoil Mhuire were Sami Clarke, Evan Colgan, Joey O Sullivan, Luke Cahill, Daniel Kane and Anthony Nkosi.
A special word to the squad members who did not get game time. Your support from the sideline made all the difference and everybody on the squad will get some game time in Croke Park, our field of dreams, dreams which now will be fulfilled.
And finally to our wonderful parents who roll up on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to ferry the boys and girls to their matches. The manager of St David’s , Shane Ryan, former Dublin footballer, said on Thursday that it seemed as if Scoil Mhuire was the home team, such was the level of support for Scoil Mhuire.
These victories on Wednesday and Thursday were a fitting reward for your dedication over the years. To be able to live out our dreams through our children is a wonderful thing. The vast majority of children will never have the experience of playing in Croke Park but on November 3rd , almost 50 children from Scoil Mhuire will do just that. Hundreds of children have represented the school over the years, and while they may not have medals and trophies to show for it, they have had the opportunity of wearing the school jersey with pride.
We will dedicate our two finals to all these children and to their parents for their efforts and their contribution over the years.
What a brilliant account of the match, I have never witnessed such a nail biting, breathtaking game ever!! The players were under pressure in the second half, but they never gave up.What a fantastic bunch of boys, they played their hearts out! Congratulations to you Mr Ellis and all your team menbers, you must be so proud!! Looking forward to Croker on the 2nd!