St Colman’s College manager says players have ‘a bright future’ after Hogan Cup final defeat

FOR Eoghan Collins and the rest of the St Colman’s contingent, this one will sting for a while.

Prior to the match the travelling support from the West was full of noise and provided a carnival-like atmosphere in Croke Park. However, an hour later, when boys in red jerseys were strewn across the pitch at the final whistle, there was a clawing sense of emptiness.

There’s no doubt that St Pat’s, Maghera were the better side on the day, and if they put even some of their 13 wides away, they would've been out of sight, a point which was acknowledged by Collins following the game in the bowels of the stadium.

“We just didn’t perform on the day,” Eoghan Collins, St Colman’s joint-manager, stated. “We were probably lucky to be only four down at half-time. We kicked some stupid ball inside. We weren’t winning it, and then it was just counter-attack football.

“We had planned for trying to stop that, but in a big game with young fellas, it just didn’t work out like that.”

READ MORE: GALLERY: St Colman’s College supporters cheer on Mayo school in Hogan Cup final

Despite the lack of spark there was a sliding doors moment with six minutes to go. The gap was six between the sides as Darragh Beirne wound up a rasping effort on goal. However, Jack McCloy showed his pedigree with a fine diving save.

In the opinion of Collins, such a moment might have given his struggling side a real boost.

“There was one chance for Darragh when were six down and we could’ve brought it back to three. We could’ve pressed that kick-out, and in fairness, we were winning a lot of their kickouts.”

“That moment could have put the cat amongst the pigeons, as it were, but that’s just ifs and buts.”

Beirne was the one of few shining lights throughout the clash for Colman’s, notching all of his side’s points, and came in for particular praise from his manager, as well as Rio Mortimer.

“The two lads are real leaders and serious boys, they stood up and took the fight to them. You have to be proud of the way they carried themselves, they kept going to the bitter end, but unfortunately just weren’t good enough on the day.”

Even with the bitter taste of defeat still raw, Ballyhaunis clubman Collins was able to look to the future. He’s walked a long and winding inter-county path with Clare in football and Mayo in hurling.

In his view, there is no doubt that this won’t be the last time we’ll see his students at this level.

“They’ll learn from it and take these days forward. It’s disappointing to lose an All-Ireland final. It’s disappointing to lose up here but I think they’ll develop as footballers.

“You’ll see a lot of these lads play club football this year. You’ll probably see Darragh (Beirne) and Rio (Mortimer) featuring over the next couple of weeks with the U-20s.

“There’s a bright future from these lads, and hopefully they’ll drive on as footballers and go on to represent their clubs and county with distinction in the years to come.”