Healy on song for Belmullet men
Bank of Ireland FAI Schools John Murphy National Cup Semi Final
(Senior ‘B’ competition for small schools)
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet 4-0 Nagle Community College, Mahon
James Deane (42), Justin Healy (67, 72), Darrach O’Muirithe (84)
OUR LADY’S SECONDARY SCHOOL, BELMULLET sought revenge over arch rivals Nagle Community College, Mahon in Athlone IT last Friday (January 29) to advance to this year’s Bank of Ireland FAI Schools John Murphy Cup Final this season.
Both semi-finalists have a phenomenal record in this competition. The Belmullet School have featured in four John Murphy Cup Finals in recent years, winning 2 from 4 encounters. The Mayo side won back in 1998 and 2005. But they suffered heartache last season at the hands of Munster kingpins St. Peter’s CS, Passage West, losing out 3-4 in extra time. Previously Our Lady’s had lost out to Nagle CC 2-4 in 2013. Our Lady’s were 2-0 up inside the first 30 minutes courtesy of fellow students Tommy Conroy and Garry Boylan that year but they let the two goal cushion slip, losing 2-4. The Mahon side took the National honours in 2013 and 2011.
The path to this year’s National Cup stage was rocky for both camps as some surprises were encountered at Provincial level.
SMI, Newcastlewest gave the Nagle lads a fright in the Munster decider which saw the Corkian’s 2-0 down inside the first quarter. Geasley’s crew fought back in the second period to score a hat-trick of goals late on to clinch the Munster crown.
Similarly Our Lady’s had a difficult meeting in their Connacht Cup Final with a five goal thriller in Milebush Park, Castlebar which saw Harry Reilly’s side capture the win with a highly entertaining 3-2 victory over an impressive Scoil Muire agus Padraig of Swinford
This game only came to life shortly before the interval as Our Lady’s student James Deane scored at the far post following a snappy delivery into the danger zone from a well placed set piece. A melee in the six yard box saw the centre back toe-poke the ball into Struthers goal.
Justin Healy doubled Belmullet’s goal tally midway through the second half with a splendid effort on target. The youngster bagged his second of the afternoon and Our Lady’s third five minutes later with a peach of a shot from distance.
Mahon had no response to the onslaught of goals and their title ambitions were led to rest when Darrach O’Muirithe popped up six minutes from time to record a sensational goal to ensure some breathing space for Reilly’s contingency.
Belmullet will now face newcomers Gaelcholáiste na Mara of Arklow in this year’s decider. The Final is scheduled for this Wednesday, February 10.
OUR LADY’S SECONDARY SCHOOL, BELMULLET: Patrick McHale, Michael McManamon, Kieran Conway, James Deane, Joe Mason, Eoghan McGrath, Marty Boylan, Ryan O’Donughue, Colin Barrett, Darrach O’Muirithe, Justin Healy
Subs: Seán Heston, Adam Carrabine, Daithi O’Donughue, Niall Walsh, Padraic Ruddy, Shea O’Donughue, Matthew Dooley
Teachers: Harry Reilly,Robin Turner
NAGLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, MAHON: Aaron Struthers, Ross O’Callaghan, Jack Walsh, Dean McCarthy, Michael Morris, Keelyn Cotter, Cameron O’Regan, Aaron Quilligan, Stephen O’Leary, Jordan O’Regan (Captain), Aaron Aherne
Subs: Tony Pardy, Kenneth Carr, Aleksander Gaup, Daniel Djomo, Pablo Rivero
Teacher: Seán Geasley
Referee: Brian James (Athlone)
