The ‘Magnificent Seven’ who made a South Mayo School immensely proud

It was a day so many of us had dreamed of seeing over the years and here it was coming true. The sight of the Sam Maguire Cup being carried by seven former pupils of St Colman’s College from entrance all along the avenue to the school was deeply emotional and a powerful testament to the spirit of the college and the county that had persevered down through the decades.

St Colman’s has been one of the great nurseries of Gaelic football since its launch back in 1945. After all that time, there was no denying the pride felt by staff and students on this momentous day when members of the All Ireland winning Mayo team brought it all back home.

A statement issued on behalf of St Colman’s captured the essence of communal pride that cascaded all around the county and in far foreign fields where Mayo people have made their homes. “Our students lined the avenue, cheered and clapped their heroes as they made their way up to the school and into the gym where we gathered, as a school community, to receive them with a tumultuous welcome.

“We had some lovely words of welcome from Acting Principal, Ms Suzanne Lohan, followed by GAA coordinator of St Colman’s, Mr Gareth Duggan, who both spoke of the historic nature of the success and the pride we all feel in the lads and their huge achievement.

“Mr Duggan also remembered some GAA stalwarts of St Colman’s who soldiered on the pitches for years, training future Mayo footballers but are no longer with us such as PJ McGrath, Tony Geraghty, Michael McDonnell, TJ Farragher and James O’Toole. How they would have loved to have been here for this day!

“Colm Boyle, representing the players and management, spoke so well and captured what it means to go on and represent your club and school to play for Mayo. He also heaped praise on the dedicated young men to his right who had achieved this historic feat. Eoin McGreal, Enda Hession, Stephen Coen, Darragh Beirne, Fenton Kelly, Colm Boyle and Conor Finn were all with us as students.

“Their involvement in St Colman’s ranges from Colm (Boyle) and Conor (Finn) who first walked in the doors here in 1999 and 2000 respectively right up to Darragh (Beirne), who left the school having been joint captain of the team that won our 7th Senior A Connacht title and also contested a Hogan Cup Final, in 2025.

“It actually goes even further back as the lads were joined by Kieran Kilkenny who himself was a student here, when we won an All Ireland Senior B title in 1996, and was instrumental in organising the day for us all.” All seven delivered brief addresses and thanked St Colman’s for those special years spent in the famed south Mayo school. Many memories came flooding back for them and they rambled back again to their Alma Mater in Castlegar and just off the old Knock Road.

The statement concluded: “Our current students, like all of us, have had their chests out and have been proud to be from Mayo since that historic day in Croke Park and will surely be inspired further seeing seven of our former students, who sat in the same seats as they do now, come back in triumph, having achieved greatness. It was a wonderful occasion for all who were lucky enough to attend and we will be eternally grateful to each of the lads for bringing Sam to us. Maigheó go deo. Coláiste Cholmáin abú.”

Gareth Duggan, on behalf of St Colman’s staff and students, said it was great to see seven men, Stephan Coen, Enda Hession, Eoin McGreal, Fenton Kelly, Darragh Beirne, Colm Boyle and Conor Finn, who once sat in these classrooms, bring the Sam Maguire back to Mayo.

“It was an extraordinary achievement and they are wonderful ambassadors for their clubs, their county and St Colman’s College. Their achievement should inspire every student here today. Whatever your own ambition may be, on the playing field, in the classroom or elsewhere, their journey shows what can be achieved through determination, teamwork and resilience.

“St Colman’s is by far the smallest school competing consistently at A level football. This only happens when we have people like these seven men standing here along with the help and time from coaches, teachers and support from school management. We are very lucky in St Colman’s to have over 1 ten teachers involved in coaching GAA in the school.

“On behalf of the entire St Colman’s community, I would like to congratulate our seven past pupils, the full Mayo panel, the management team and everyone involved in this historic victory. You have given the people of Mayo a day of unforgettable joy, and you have made everyone here in St Colman’s immensely proud. Mayo are All-Ireland champions and Sam Maguire is finally home!”