Balbriggan school makes history 

HISTORY was made last week when Coláiste Ghlór na Mara, Balbriggan, won the first football trophy in the four-year history of the school.

The north county Dubliners defeated Grange Community College 5-15 to 7-5 to win the Dublin Schools First Year Football Final (Tom Quinlan Plate) at Parnell’s GAA Club, Coolock.

Coláiste Ghlór na Mara opened the scoring with the game’s first point but were soon on the back-foot as Grange began to settle down and open fire on the Glór na Mara goal. 

The boys from Balbriggan can thank the early exploits of goalkeeper Eoin O Raghallaigh for keeping them in the game at that stage.

Christian Ó Masún and Ruadhán Mac Canna were outstanding in defence for Coláiste Glór na Mara and gave their team a solid platform to build on for the remainder of the first half.  Ruairí Mac Giolla Chaillín and Eoin Ó Murchú worked tirelessly to foil any Grange attack.

Mikey De Grás and George Ó Carmada were the two main providers for Glór na Mara’s sharpshooters, setting up scores for Cormac Ó Cearráin and Callum MacCraith who both had their tails up from early in the game.

The shining light for Glór na Mara was, however, their captain, the outstanding Padraic Mac Eochaidh. He was excellent.  

Mac Eochaidh’s skill, determination and supreme fitness was too much for Grange. Working as part of a midfield trio, along with John Ó Cleirigh and John Ó Maoinigh, Mac Eochaidh ran at the heart of the Grange defence time and time again.

Glór na Mara led 3-10 to 2-4 at half-time. But this game was far from over. Something clicked with Grange at half-time. Glór na Mara had won every single one of their own kick outs in the first half. However, five minutes in to the second half, this had changed dramatically. Grange began a 15-minute spell that saw them fire in five goals which put them three points up with 10 minutes left.  The football was fast and ferocious and it seemed that Glór na Mara who had controlled the entire first half were unable to cope.

Christian Ó Masún and Ruadhán Mac Canna started to win dirty ball again and set up the dynamic duo of Cébhán Houshidri and Pádraig Mac Eochaidh.  They began to create chances and their energy and determination once again served as an inspiration to others.

Goalscorer Cormac Mac Cearáin was about to unleash another shot at the Grange goal when Callum Mac Craith improvised brilliantly and back-heeled the ball past the helpless Grange ‘keeper. It was met with a deafening roar from the sideline. 

Glór na Mara fought back to lead by three with two minutes left on the referee’s watch when Mac Craith won a free. 

This would be the insurance point, and it could only fall to one man, MacEochaidh. He calmly slotted over and put an end to a spirited Grange team’s challenge, a whirlwind second half and an excellent game of football.

•Coláiste Ghlór na Mara team: Eoin Ó Raghallaigh, Ruairí Mac Giolla Chaillín, Ruadhán Mac Canna, Eoin Ó Murchú, Christian Ó Masún, Cébhán Houshidari, Padraic MacEochaidh (captain and Man of the Match), John Ó Maoinigh, Mikey De Grás, John Ó Cléirigh, George Ó Carmada, Cormac Ó Cearráin, Callum Mac Craith. Subs: Sujah Lama, Leo Mac Stiofán,Caolán Ó Raghallaigh, Ryan Mac Giolla Pádraig, Cian Ó Ceallacháin.