Mourne School Claim Success

In the wake of their MacRory Final defeat, the players their families and teachers gathered in the Canal Court Hotel for a celebration. Principal Sean Rogers told the gathering that this was a celebration, even without the MacRory Cup. “We celebrate the achievements of the players and their coaches Cathal Murray and Steven McVeigh, who have toiled over the year to prepare themselves to compete at this level. Well, they did more than just compete, they reached the final at their first attempt, showing great spirit and commitment along the way”, said a proud Principal in his first year as principal of St. Louis. He reminisced back to his own days as a coach at the school, playing at Ulster Colleges ‘C’ Grade, “It is unbelievable to think of how far we have come in so short a time, it fills me with great pride”, he continued.

Assistant coach Steven McVeigh, stepped up to the platform and told the gathering that he could only speak from the heart. He praised the players for their enthusiasm and commitment, “although we teachers are there to teach, sometimes it’s the students who teach us, you players have taught me a lot about the spirit of the Mourne people”, he told an emotional gathering. He concluded by paying tribute to his colleague Cathal Murray, “Cathal has developed some fine individual talents over the years and built a fine team that he and the school can be very proud of, no doubt Down will benefit for his work”. He added, “It would be a fitting tribute to your school and your team mates if some of you boys go on and play for Down, perhaps earning an All-Ireland, just remember which school you went to”

An emotional Cathal Murray stood up and thanked the players for their efforts, not only now but over the past seven years, “I’ve watched you boys grow into fine young men with great talents and without doubt, great times ahead of you. It was a huge honour when you referred to me as a father figure at half time in the drawn game and I can’t fault the effort you put into this adventure. You have a right to feel proud and you have made me feel very proud”. Cathal thanked the clubs for their help and had a special word for the mothers, “I think we have trained about 80 or so times this year, so I apologise to all the mothers, that a lot of kit to be washed”. Cathal thanked the school Principal Sean Rogers and his colleagues for all their help and wished the players well with their future endeavours, both academic and on the gaelic fields.

Down County chairman Jerry Quinn spoke of the excitement the St. Louis boys had generated all over the county, and stated that the Down Minor, Under 21 and Senior selectors are delighted to have a new talent pool to pick from. He paid particular tribute to Cathal Murray and Steven McVeigh, but spoke of his delight at Cathal’s achievements as he had watched his Clonduff club-mate develop as a player and a coach from his early days at the club.

St. Louis captain James Colgan, rose to speak with great confidence and maturity that has been a hallmark of his role as captain this year. He thanked his coaches for all their efforts this year, “We are better people for the encouragement and coaching you have given us.” He spoke directly to his “Band of Brothers” as he thanked his fellow players for all their efforts during the year. He continued by thanking the huge support for the vital role they played and to Principal Sean Rogers for all his help and encouragement. Eager not forget anyone, he thanked Bus driver Calvin Aitken for all his patience and help over the years.

It might not have been the fairy tale ending people might have wished for, but it was the end of a fantastic journey that has brought so much joy and pride to all involved and many beyond.