St Colman's Claremorris advanced to Hogan Cup Final. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Masita Hogan Cup Semi-Final
St Colman's, Claremorris 4-4 Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar 1-7
By Kevin Egan at Pádraig Pearses, Roscommon
1977 Hogan Cup champions St. Colman’s of Claremorris are back in the showpiece event for Post Primary Schools football, after their ability to convert their goal chances made all the difference in an otherwise evenly-contested battle with Coláiste Mhuire of Mullingar, played at Pádraig Pearses GAA club in South Roscommon.
There was a carnival atmosphere at the home of the Roscommon senior champions for this tie, with almost 1500 supporters travelling to take in a contest between two schools whose glory days were two decades ago, until they made momentous breakthroughs in their respective provincial finals earlier this month.
A heavy rain shower at the very start of the game, coming immediately after Craig Cassidy opened the scoring with a fine point on the run for St. Colman’s, didn’t help the two teams settle into their normal game. Coláiste Mhuire arguably played their best football during this opening quarter however, managing the conditions, controlling possession and drawing level through Darragh Smith, despite the wind rendering pointless any shot from more than 25 metres out.
0-2 to 0-2 midway through the half, even with the wind not quite as severe, was still a very strong position for the Leinster champions, before they were rocked by the concession of the game’s first goal.
Nathan Gill provided a superb finish with his left foot after an interchange with passes with Ronan Kelly, but once again Coláiste Mhuire took over and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession up until half-time, with Michael Weir tacking on the only remaining score of the opening period.
The wind continued to be a factor but throughout the second half, it was St. Colman’s ability to work the ball in behind the defence and finish off close-range chances that made all the difference. The Mayo school scored five times in the second half hour, all from no further than 20 metres out, and crucially, three of those scores drew green flags to force Coláiste Mhuire to chase the game.
Tom Hession was first off the mark when he made an incisive looping run in behind, then stepped inside the goalkeeper to sidefoot the ball into an empty net.
Perhaps the game’s decisive swing moment was at the other end of the field in reply, when Westmeath minor star Will Scahill also got through on goal, but after fumbling his first touch, he had to try a ground shot on goal, crashing his effort from 13 metres out off the crossbar.
Conor Heffernan gathered the rebound, but couldn’t guide his shot past Evan Campbell and onto the target, in no small part because of the sharp reflexes of the Claremorris goalkeeper.
Coláiste Mhuire did hit back with the next two points, but the value of the bounce of the ball was in evidence when Seán O’Connell had a shot parried by Adam Buckley, only for it to fall perfectly for Darragh Beirne’s simple finish.
Beirne turned provider for the fourth goal, cleverly flicking the ball into the path of Dara Flanagan, and while Will Scahill replied in kind for Coláiste Mhuire, the gap never dropped below four points and St. Colman’s defence was able to hold firm, securing their passage through to a final clash against either Mercy Mounthawk, or St. Pat’s of Maghera.
Scorers for St. Colman’s, Claremorris: Darragh Beirne 1-2 (0-2f), Nathan Gill 1-0, Tom Hession 1-0, Dara Flanagan 1-0, Craig Cassidy 0-1, David Hurley 0-1.
Scorers for Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Will Scahill 1-4 (0-4f), Darragh Smith 0-1, Michael Weir 0-1, Matthew Thornton 0-1.
St Colman's Claremorris (Claremorris unless stated): Evan Campbell; Rio Mortimer, Nathan Gill (Garrymore), Mark Noonan; David Hurley, Dara Flanagan (Eastern Gaels), Tom Hession (Eastern Gaels); Craig Cassidy, C Tierney (Garrymore); Adam Gallagher (Garrymore), Ronan Kelly (Davitts), Dylan Burke (Davitts); Seán O’Connell, Darragh Beirne, Ciarán Treacy (Davitts).
Subs: Ben Sheridan (Hollymount/Carramore) for Gallagher (46), Jack Comer for Burke (60)
Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar (Mullingar Shamrocks unless stated): Adam Buckley; Ben Sheerin, Ty Masterson, Conor Daly (The Downs); Darragh Smith (The Downs), Michael Weir (St. Loman’s), Ben McNamee; Eoin Conlon (Shandonagh), Donnacha Maguire; Oisín O’Hara (St. Loman’s), Matthew Thornton (Multyfarnham), Michael Moloney (The Downs); Seán Byrne (St. Loman’s), Conor Heffernan, Will Scahill (Shandonagh).
Subs: Adam Glynn for Masterson (19), Paul Keating for Moloney (51), Masterson for McNamee (56), James Murtagh for Weir (60).
Referee: Dermot Lyons (Roscommon).