Coffey in line for switch to Marist College team

Ian Coffey could be set for a dramatic debut for Marist College in this Friday"s Leinster Colleges Senior Football "A" Championship clash against St Mel"s, Longford. The 18-year-old Ballykeeran native recently switched school from nearby Athlone Community College and could dramatically feature for Marist College, where he"s now repeating his Leaving Cert, when they face St Mel"s at Killoe on Friday (throw-in: 1pm). Coffey, who also featured for Athlone Town last season, captained Athlone CC to a first ever Leinster Colleges SF "A" Championship last year and was earmarked to lead their quest to retain the title this year. Athlone CC began the defence of the championship with a first round win over Coláiste na Trionoide, Athy, but Coffey didn"t feature in that fixture. Leinster Council officials this week confirmed Coffey remains eligible to represent Marist College, as the former Westmeath minor star hasn"t already played for Athlone CC in this year"s competition. At the time of going to print, Marist College had not made a formal request to Leinster Council to allow Coffey to feature against St Mel"s on Friday. However, it"s expected such an approach will be officially made by Marist College in the coming days and it seems increasingly likely Coffey could debut for the Marist later this week. Ironically, Eamonn Donohoe, who currently plays for Athlone CC, transferred in the opposite direction late last year. Before Christmas, Coffey led Athlone CC to the final of the North Leinster Schools Senior Football A League final where they were defeated by St Joseph"s, Rochfortbridge. Having lost to Patrician, Newbridge in the opening round of the Leinster Colleges SF "A" Championship, the Marist received a bye in the first round of the qualifiers. St Mel"s had an emphatic win over Moyne CS to set up the clash with the Marist and will be rated as favourites to advance. However, Coffey"s inclusion would provide a significant boost to the Athlone school for Friday"s clash.