'Truth be told, we never thought we would get here': Dark days no more for Colaiste Mhuire
The Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar panel celebrate with the Hogan Cup. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
When they boombox burst into life in the winning Coláiste Mhuire dressing-room, Florence + The Machine's Dog Days are Over was the first song the players belted out.
Change 'dog' to 'dark' and you'd have had a fitting musical summary of the Mullingar school's first-ever Hogan Cup success because they've known the dark days.
"Truth be told, we never thought we would get here, this wasn't on our cards," acknowledged manager Dean McNicholas. "I think for three or four years on the trot, we didn't win a game in the Championship. Then last year came about."
They won just a second ever Leinster Senior A title last season, retained it in 2026 and here they are now, the first Westmeath school since Carmelite College, Moate in 1981 to take the Hogan Cup.
And yet when Gearóid White, last year's Kerry minor captain, fisted Tralee CBS ahead with the regulation 60 minutes up, things appeared to be headed in a different direction.
Given his profile and talent, White would have been a fitting matchwinner, the latest in a long recent line of Kerry stars to inspire All-Ireland success at Croke Park.
But having coughed up a six-point half-time lead, and all momentum with it, the Westmeath side dug remarkably deep to, firstly, level the game through Finn Higgins and then win it through Will Scahill.
"I suppose it goes to show what hard work and dedication does for young lads," said McNicholas. "They're after going up against Kerry footballers and proving they're every bit as good as them. They're after beating the Ulster champions.
"Five of the last six All-Ireland winners came from Ulster. We knew what was in that dressing-room and I'm just delighted they were able to show it today."
Michael Moloney, one of Mullingar's three first-half goalscorers, finished with 1-2, the same as Scahill, and was man of the match. Moloney was interviewed afterwards and said something similar about things 'just clicking' since last year.
McNicholas namechecked defender Ben Sheerin for his man-marking job on Nick Lacey, who still scored three points.
"I thought Ty Masterson did a really good job on Ronan Carroll as well," he said. "And I thought we curbed the influence of Gearóid White because that lad is as good as there is across the country. Mikey Weir did a savage job but that's what we expect of our captain, I'm not surprised."
Yet Tralee were probably the better team overall, bouncing back from the horror concession of 1-4 in the opening five minutes to control the majority of the game.
Máirtín McKivergan was immense in hauling them back after that slow start, scoring four points including a monster two-pointer.
Their problem was that they kept conceding goals with Scahill, Cleary and Moloney finding the net at opportune times to keep Coláiste Mhuire always just out of arm's reach and leading 3-6 to 0-9 at half time.
That was the pattern for most of the second half too, Tralee inching closer and closer and Mullingar responding with timely points to retain their lead.
Still, when White eventually nudged Tralee into the lead, fisting over at the Hill 16 End, they appeared to have timed their run to perfection. Mullingar looked to be out on their feet with fatigue as well.
"The second last score they got in the game, to equalise, that was a right sucker punch," said joint Tralee CBS manager Marc O Se. "We felt we were pushing on at that stage and it was the first time we'd gone ahead. To let that one over the bar, that was the one that cost us really."
Tralee were attempting to become the first Kerry team to win the competition since St Brendan's, Killarney claimed back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017.
"I think sometimes you have to lose one to win one, maybe," shrugged O Se. "But the boys definitely will know that there was a game there for the taking. But look, it just didn't happen."
Right at the death, in the game's very last play, McKivergan had a free from over 55 metres. A two-pointer would have won it for Tralee but it sailed well wide. As far as percentages go, it was a one in 20 shot at best.
"He was against the odds there really," maintained O Se. "No, we're very proud of the lads. It's a huge learning curve for them but these guys are great footballers. They'll be back."
W Scahill, M Moloney (1-2 each); C Cleary (1-0); P Keating (0-3); S McWade, K Loughlin, M Weir, F Higgins (0-1 each).
M McKivergan (1 tpf), R Carroll (0-4, 3 frees); C McKenna (1-0); N Lacey (0-3); G White, E O'Flaherty (0-2); T O'Connor (0-1).
A Buckley; B Sheerin, T Masterson, E Donohue; M Weir, S Byrne, M Moloney; C Ormsby, R O'Brien; P Keating, K Loughlin, C Cleary; W Scahill, F Higgins, S McWade.
S Hayes for McWade (46); P Monaghan for Cleary (61).
O Lata; M Enright, E Moriarty, S Turner; F Ryan, E O'Flaherty, M Corridan; M McKivergan, C McKenna; T O'Connor, G White, T Quilter; R Hurley, R Carroll, N Lacey.
C Hurley for O'Connor (45); D Murphy for R Hurley (48).
B Cawley (Kildare).
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