Early goals set up Coláiste Mhuire for win over Marist

Coláiste Mhuire 3, Marist College 1

Two early goals were crucial as Coláiste Mhuire defeated Marist College in the West Leinster Division 1 League final in Moate last Thursday.

These two teams clashed earlier in the competition and the game ended in a draw. Coláiste Mhuire made sure that wouldn’t happen again; they got out of the blocks in double quick time, scoring two goals in the first six minutes.

After the two early goals, the game was quite even with little between the sides in general play. Without the quickfire start from the Mullingar side, we could have had another close game.

Antonio Bertolo was the player to do all the early damage. Playing on the right side up front, Bertolo's pace and energy did the damage to the Marist's hopes.

For the first goal, Bertolo got in behind and his rasper of a shot rippled the net, giving Paddy Naughton no chance in the Marist goal.

Goal number two came about when Patrick Wallace combined with Bertolo, before the striker finished to the net, laying the platform for victory after just six minutes.

From then on the Athlone side got up to the tempo of the game, getting tighter and working that bit harder. They actually had the better of the possession stakes for the majority of the first half but they never threatened up front.

The Mullingar outfit could have extended their lead when good combination play by Bertolo, Oisin Keena and Wallace forced corners but nothing came of the set pieces.

The Marist came closest to scoring in the first half when Patrick Lawless’ free kick forced Cathal Donohue to deflect the ball out for a corner. At half-time, it was Coláiste Mhuire 2 Marist College 0.

The game swayed back and forth for most of the second half, with neither keeper busy and both defences on top. Bertolo went close to getting a hat-trick but was denied by a brilliant block from Marist substitute Darragh Donegan.

Oisin Keena, who was always involved in the build up play, tried his best from distance but his attempt didn’t test the Marist keeper.

Gradually the Marist grew more into the game. When they went three at the back, they seemed to get more joy in attack. They finally started to threaten the Mullingar goalmouth. Ruadhan O’Higgins, Aaron Casey and Finn Murphy Frawley combined only to see the latter’s attempt skim the post and go wide.

Then O’Higgins and Jake Digan combined only for the ball to go agonisingly wide. The Athlone based school was getting closer to opening their account.

Just when the Marist had looked like they could score and create a grandstand finish, that player Bertolo was again involved, and his cross was headed into the net by Wallace. With that goal, it was a case of game over.

The Marist did score a consolation goal before the end. O’Higgins did the spade work and substitute Bobby O’Brien scored.

Coláiste Mhuire were the better team overall; they were more threatening up front all game and, in Bertolo and Wallace, they had the strike force to take the trophy.

The Marist just never threatened enough up front. They got off to a slow start and were punished for some slack play early on. Having conceded those two early goals, they were left with a mountain to climb for the rest of the game.

Scorers - Coláiste Mhuire: A Bertolo 2, P Wallace 1.

Marist College: B O’Brien.

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar: Cathal Donohue, Sam Geoghegan, Jarlath Sweeney, Darragh Orme, Liam Doyle, Oisin Keena, Antonio Bertolo, Cian McDonnell, Patrick Wallace, Jack McNamee, Mark Mulvee. Sub used: Daniel Kiernan for Mulvee (47 mins).

Marist College, Athlone: Paddy Naughton, Cullen Grehan, Sean Norton, Cian Mannion, Luke Clarke, Eoin O’Shaughnessy, Aaron Casey, Patrick Lawless, Ruadhan O’Higgins, Jake Digan, Finn Murphy Frawley.

Subs used: Darragh Donegan for Clarke (24 mins), Bobby O’Brien for Norton (54).

Referee: David Nagle (Banagher United FC).