Newcastle West's Scoil Mhuire agus Íde's senior hurlers crowned All-Ireland champions

SCOIL Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West are celebrating this bank holiday weekend, as their U19 hurling team emerged victorious in the All-Ireland Colleges ‘C’ final, eventually seeing off Boyne Community School, Trim.

The five point win in Banagher was exactly what the team deserved. Coached by Tournafulla’s Jermiah Moloney and Patrickswell’s Kevin O’Brien, the west Limerick school led from the 15th minute to the final whistle.

Goals in either half from magic Monagea duo Conor Hough and Gavin Dorgan helped see off a gallant effort from the Trim school, who failed to throw in the towel. SMI combined the hard work with some top class skills to emerge with the Michael Cusack Cup – which was won by Scoil Pól, Kilfinnane, 12 months ago.

Despite playing with a strong breeze, the Limerick students were wasteful in the opening half. Registering nine wides, they would have been disappointed to only lead 1-5 to 0-4, after dominating much of the contest.

A 15th minute goal from Conor Hough propelled them into the lead and in spite of points from Cathal Barron and Shane Jordan, they held that advantage as the sides changed ends.

Hough and Dorgan were involved again for the 32nd minute goal which moved the gap out to six points. A sweeping team move eventually saw Dorgan finish to the net. A most pleasing goal saw them string together three accurate stick passes, all to hand, before the net rattled.

Seemingly with a mountain to climb, the Meath school rallied. Three of the next four points went their way but sub Cathal Kiely and Dorgan steadied the youngsters from west Limerick at the start of the final quarter.

Conceding a goal from a Joey Christie free entering the final ten minutes, SMI were not to be rocked. Vitally, the next point went their way, as Dorgan pulled a dropping sliotar from the sky on the 45.

The sides were trading scores late on as the likes of Odhran Kelleher, Patrick Cagney and Gavin Thompson weren’t to be denied in their bid for national silverware for their school.

The final three points helped them pull clear. First captain Diarmuid Lyons pulled the ball off the ground over for a point, then Hough brought his tally to 1-3 before wing-back Liam O’Connor sealed the famous victory with a point from in front of the huge west Limerick following.

The SMI effort came from seven different clubs and adds neatly to the Munster ‘C’ crown they won during February.

Scorers for Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West: Gavin Dorgan 1-5; Conor Hough 1-3; Diarmuid Mullaney, Cathal Kiely, Fionn Meehan, Diarmuid Lyons, Liam O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Boyne Community School, Trim:  Joey Christe 1-2 (1-0 free); Shane Jordan 0-4 (0-2 frees, 0-1 ’65); Leon Harris, Cathal Barron 0-2 each; Kosei Kirwan 0-1.

Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West: Darragh Tierney (Newcastle West); David Moloney (Knockaderry), Odhrán Kelleher (Kileedy), Eoghan Sheehan (St. Kieran’s); Liam O’Connor (Monagea), Patrick Cagney (Feohanagh/Castlemahon), Seán Long (St. Kieran’s); Gavin Thompson (St. Kieran’s), Diarmuid Lyons (Newcastle West) (Capt); Diarmuid Mullaney (Kileedy), Seán Lyons (Newcastle West), Gavin Dorgan (Monagea); Conor Hough (Monagea), Andrew Lyons (Newcastle West), Fionn Meehan (Feohanagh/Castlemahon).

Subs: Cathal Kiely (Monagea) for Meehan, Conor McMahon (St. Kieran’s) for S Lyons (both 45); Jack O’Sullivan (St. Kieran’s) for A Lyons (51).

Boyne Community School, Trim: Conor Cummins (Na Fianna); Aron Doherty (Rathmolyon), Darragh McLaughlin (Trim), Ed Dunne (Kildalkey); Kosei Kirwan (Rathmolyon), David Regan (Kiltale), Luca Taheny (Trim); Leon Harris (Trim), Dan Quinn (Kildalkey); Seán Howley (Rathmolyon) (Capt), Cathal Barron (Dunderry), Joey Christie (Rathmolyon); Robbie Johnson (Kilmessan), Alex Cole (Trim), Shane Jordan (Na Fianna).

Subs: Charlie O’Connor (Dunderry) for Doherty (37); Ruairí McCaffrey (Trim) for Kirwan (57).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Tipperary).