Tallaght lads hold their nerve to win dramatic shoot-out
Jobstown Community College 1-1 Colaiste Muire, Ballymote AET
Jobstown won 8-7 on penalties
IRELAND captain Robbie Keane may not have gone to Jobstown Community College but manager Jim Halpin believes his history-making All-Ireland champs are right up there with Tallaght's most famous soccer export.
Recently crowned Leinster champs Jobstown CC capped the greatest year in their school's soccer history before the mid-term break by capturing the Umbro FAI Senior B Boys Schools Cup in Athlone.
After Morgan Burke's early strike had been cancelled out by a Gerry Brennan equaliser for Sligo side Coláiste Mhuire, the national final went to a penalty-shootout.
Bob Mazola fired home Jobstown's fifth successful penalty in the shootout to pave the way for goalkeeper Peter Ward to become the hero of the day by saving Colin McGill's effort.
Despite churning out Eircom League big names like Jim Crawford and Graham Gartland, Jobstown CC have never made a huge impact in soccer in the 20 years Halpin has overseen the sport in the school.
The rise to stardom of local lad Robbie Keane -- who attended St Aidan's Community College -- may have been the biggest news in the area in recent years, but Halpin insists his lads have given the community something to shout about again.
"It gives the whole area a lift, as it has done the whole school in the last week," said the Jobstown manager.
"We did not have local hero Robbie Keane at our school, he attended another close by, but these lads have certainly been treated like stars due to this success.
"I would say this is the biggest achievement in the school's history, because you don't get any bigger than being able to say you are an All-Ireland champion.
"Now these lads can leave school with two big medals -- a Leinster and an All-Ireland one -- and look back on it with a lot of pride."
The school's national success came just weeks after they captured the Leinster crown and while Halpin believes hard work and determination were the main ingredient, he hasn't ruled out a star or two being born out of the achievement.
"The glory we have got this year has been down to a real team effort, where nobody thought of themselves stars, but Michael Doyle in particular is a player with a big future.
"He is on the books of Shamrock Rovers and if he gets the lucky breaks he could do very very well for himself.
"I have been dealing with football in the school since 1988 and generations have come and gone since then and it is just great.
"I think the success is down to getting a bunch of fellas who are hard working and want to do it for one another.
"They are a close bunch and worked very hard for each other and basically they never gave up in some hard games we have come through this year."
Jobstown Community College Tallaght: Peter Ward, Bob Mazone, Stephen McGregor, Darren Doyle, Morgan Burke, Niall Forrester, Gary Byrne, Michael Doyle, James Nolan (captain), Lee Dillon, Gary Ryan.
- Gavin Earley