SMI Newcastle West's senior hurlers standing on the brink of history

SCOIL Mhuire agus Ide (SMI), Newcastle West are sixty minutes away from All-Ireland final success. The west Limerick school take on Boyne Community school in the All-Ireland Senior ‘C’ post-primary hurling final in St Rynagh's GAA club in Offaly on Friday afternoon at 1pm.

Jeremiah Moroney, of Tournafulla, and Kevin O'Brien, of Patrickswell, make up the management team of the Newcastle West.

“The school is buzzing, it's great. The school has never been in a position like this before in the entire history of the school, we've never been to an All-Ireland final. Everyone is very much looking forward to the occasion,” said team manager Jeremiah Moroney.

Moroney said there was always talent within this group.

“The talent was always there, but in terms of winning things, the group hadn't set the world alight in terms of collecting silverware. There was always a really talented group of players there. It was nice to get over the line and put a cup on the table in the Munster Championship.”

The West Limerick native remembers a time when the school were unable to field a team.

“I'm in the school 12 years and I've never had a team to win a Munster championship at any grade up until this year. When I first started teaching in SMI, we actually pulled out of Munster at ‘D’ level, we actually couldn't field a team.”
Moroney feels the clubs in West Limerick have played a big role in the school's success.

“You've seen how far the school has come this year. We have 42 players on the panel and all of them are chomping at the bit to try and get minutes on the field. We've seven feeder clubs, Tournafulla, Killeedy, Newcastle West, St Kieran's, Feohanagh-Castlemahon, Monagea and Knockaderry. They're delivering into us some exceptionally good hurlers and it's up to us to try and bring them on.”

SMI recorded victories over Coláiste Iosaef, Kilmallock and Scoil Ruain Killenaule in the group stages of the Munster championship. Despite losing their final group to Glanmire, SMI had done enough to reach the knockout stages.

Victories over ASNM Tramore, Presentation Ballingarry and Clonkaility College saw them into the Munster final.
SMI defeated St Mary's Newport 0-10 to 1-5 in the Munster decider.

The Munster champions comprehensively got past St Patrick's, of Armagh, 3-24 to 1-6 in the All-Ireland semi-final.

“We were extremely fortunate to get out of the group in Munster. Kilmallock did us a favour in the group. Since then, we never really looked back. They've really driven on since the group stages.

“In GAA, anything can happen on the day especially when it comes to schools hurling. There's a lot left to the unknown. That also brings an enjoyment factor with a lot of off the cuff hurling,” added Jeremiah Moroney.