St: Mary's College, Galway excel in soccer

4 titles captured by Connacht School

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

 

 

Marys College Galway

 

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):