St. Malachy's make strides
February 01, 2010Hogan Stand takes a look at how this success was achieved by a school that is more commonly associated with Gaelic football rather than the small ball code. We also speak to coach Mark Devlin who gives us an insight into Gaelic games within the school.
St Malachy's crowning glory on the GAA pitch came way back in 1970 when the college lifted the McRory Cup, their one and only success in the
competition. An interesting fact about that win is that on the team that day was a certain Martin O'Neill, manager of Premiership football club Aston Villa.
Since then success has been at a minimum and they have gone through many barren spells on the GAA front. However, St Malachy's has certainly made its mark in other sports as All-Ireland titles in basketball and athletics are common place.
Last year the school celebrated its 175th anniversary and it was fitting that in the same year they would lift their first hurling title. The main driving force of Gaelic games in the school for many years now has been Alec McGoran, who along with Noel McGuckian and Francie Toner looks after the various football teams in the school.
In recent years, there has been a huge drive made to improve the standard of hurling and football in St Malachy's and that work has certainly begun to pay off. Nonetheless, it was only since Mark joined the school last September that the hurling really started to take off and success has been immediate.
"There has been a lot of work done in improving the GAA within the school over the years. The main reason for this is Alec McGoran, who has worked hard to ensure that the games are available to the students," said Mark. "Not since the 1970 McRory Cup win has the school been able to compete at a high level and it certainly went through many barren years, but hopefully there are brighter days ahead."
Mark revealed that as soon as he was approached to take over the hurling in the all boys' school that caters for 1050 boys in the diocese, he jumped at the chance. "I was delighted to be asked. The school had no real hurling coach and I've been involved in that side of the game since I was 18 at Rathmore Grammar. Last year, the lads were beaten by a point in the final, so we knew that we had a good chance this year. The majority of the lads play with the local St Enda's club, which meant that most of them were familiar with each other. We have a panel of about 30 and I have to say that they are a great bunch of lads to be involved with. They would do anything that you ask of them; We trained at the school as would the St.Enda's club, as the school is floodlit and has a 3G pitch."
The final was played on Friday, December 11th and despite having to travel to Armagh to play the decider, the Belfast boys were certainly not overawed by the occasion. St Malachy's took control early in the game with Eoin Conlon dominating midfield and their defence marking tight. Although Keady opened the scoring with a point from play, St Malachy's responded with 2-6 without reply, including goals from Anton Lidster and Conor McEvoy. Keady rallied for two points before the break but in the second half goals from Kevin McKenna, Pauric McNaughton and Dean Gaffney brought them right back into contention, cutting St Malachy's lead to two points, 2-8 to 3-3, with five minutes left on the clock. However the Belfast boys seized the initiative, when Conor McEvoy crashed home a great solo effort which was followed soon after by another from Killian Jennings goal won the cup for St Malachy's on a scoreline of 4-8 to 3-3.
"We played very well in the first half and built up a decent lead, but we always knew that Keady would come back as they are a fine side. Thankfully, the lads held on at the end. It was a huge relief when the final whistle went."
For the first time in many years, the school have entered a senior hurling team, which means that they have teams at most grades now, something that was never achieved before.
"There is still a lot of work to do, but we're happy with the direction that it is heading. The main aim will be to ensure that there are teams for all years in the school. I'm enjoying the role as it gives me the opportunity to give something back to the game," concluded the O'Donovan Rossa clubman.
For the record the St Malachy's squad that lined out in the final was as follows: Aidan Bannon, Kurtis Maguire, Ben Rice, Rian McCreight, Matt Magennis, Cormac Crummey, Ronan O'Fril, Eoin Conlon 0-4, Ryan Straney, Anton Lidster 1-0, Conor McEvoy 2-0, Edward O'Connor, Killian Jennings 1-0, Ruairi Donaghy 0-2, Manus Mullan 0-2.
Subs used: Eoghan Maguire, Pascal Clarke, Pearse Fitzsimmons, Colm Magennis. Tweet
