Great Year for St: Mary’s College, Galway
History was made in the Connacht School’s "A" soccer last month, when St Mary's College, Galway added the U15's Connacht title to their, already impressive trophy cabinet having previously captured the 1st Year, U14's, U16's and Senior titles this year:
No Connacht College ever achieved this feat of a clean sweep since the inception of the Connacht Branch of FAI Schools, several decades ago:
Last month, the men in red and black put six goals past Summerhill College Sligo, in the Connacht U15 decider: This game staged in the splendid Milebush Park in Mayo:
Captained by Barry McEntee, the side had a strong rearguard, notably Shane Gallagher, Evan Browne and Eoin Walsh, who played superbly all season:
The scorers in this decider were James Casserly, Shane Maughan (3) and Tony Warde (2):
In the Connacht Semi Final St Mary's defeated local rivals St Joseph's College (also known as the bish) by 4 - 2 after extra time in a close but excellent tie:
Prior to that Mary's defeated a good St Enda's side 1 - 2 in the Connacht Quarter Final:
Back in March St Mary's won their first Connacht title, the coveted Connacht Senior "A" Cup Final defeating Summerhill College, Sligo in the decider:
Next up the school’s U16 side won their title defeating local rivals St: Joseph’s College on penalties after a scoreless draw in NUI Galway's grounds:
Once more Mary's got the rub of the green at U14 level when a 2 /2 draw failed to separate themselves and "the bish": Mary's eventually won this epic encounter on spot kicks:
The first years, after a fortunate semi final win, drew 1 - 1 in the Connacht Final, in Terryland Park, only to emerge victorious in yet another penalty shoot/out:
Mary's had won 4 out of 4 Connacht titles (last achieved by St Mary's in 1994)
PATH TO SUCCESS FOR ALL SECTIONS
1st Year
Group Stages
Mary's 3/0 Calasanctius (Oranmore)
Mary's 3/0 St Clare’s (Manorhamilton)
Mary's 1/0 Rice College (Westport)
Quarter Final
Mary's 4/2 Aloysius (Athlone )
Semi Final
Mary's 1/0 St: Joseph’s College, Galway
Connacht Final
Mary's 1/1 Presentation College (Headford) AET St: Mary’s won on penalties
U14
Group Stages
Mary's 7/0 Gortnor Abbey (Crossmolina)
Mary's 6/3 St Patrick’s (Tuam)
Mary's 3/1 St Muredach's (Ballina)
Quarter Final
Mary's 5/0 Rice College (Westport)
Semi Final
Mary's 3/0 Presentation College (Headford)
Connacht Final
Mary's 2/2 St Joseph's College (Galway) AET St: Mary’s won on penalties
U15
Quarter Final
Mary's 4/2 St Enda's (Galway)
Semi Final
Mary's 4/3 St: Joseph’s (Galway) AET
Connacht Final
Mary's 6/0 Summerhill (Sligo)
U16
Group Stages
Mary's 7/2 Scoil Mhuire & Padraigh (Swinford)
Mary's 3/3 Presentation College (Headford)
Mary's 3/0 St Aloysius (Athlone)
Quarter Final
Mary's 3/0 Kiltimagh Community School
Semi Final
Mary's 5/0 Presentation (Athenry)
Connacht Final
Mary's 0/0 St Joseph’s College (Galway) AET St: Mary’s won on penalties
Senior
Group Stages
Mary's 5/0 Gortnor Abbey
Mary's 7/0 St Pauls (Oughterard)
Mary's 1/1 Presentation College (Headford) AET St: Mary’s won on penalties
Quarter Final
Mary's 3/2 St Muredach's (Ballina)
Semi Final
Mary's 2/1 S't Joseph's College (Galway)
Connacht Final
Mary's 3/2 Summerhill (Sligo)
Report by Martin Horgan (St: Mary's College)
Photograph by Tom Broderick
The photo is of the captains of the various St: Mary's teams and their coaches
Back (L/R) Richie Bell, Heather Barrett, Martin Horgan, Mike Murphy, Enda Casserley, Ronan Faherty, Paul Concannon, Henry Lavelle, Ger Curran and Sean DePaor:
Front (L/R) Dan McArdel (1st Year), Barry McEntee (U15), Mike Elwood (Senior), Myles Upton (U14) and David Wynne (U16):