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Thu 1st Apr 2010
Cathal Murray admits that it was difficult to contain his emotions after he guided
St Colman’s College to the BT MacRory Cup title on St Patrick’s Day.
“The MacRory final 2010 was all about the boys who played in it and the work they
had done to get the College there.”
“But there was also the 12 year gap since the last win – the longest gap in the
school’s history, and, on a personal level, the disappointment that I felt as a
player in 1987.”
Cathal attended the College from 1980-87, captaining the Corn na nÓg success of 1984 as well as helping them to win several other provincial titles, and a Hogan Cup.
Ray Morgan and Pete McGrath were his mentors for many of those successes.
“Ray and Pete were meticulous in their preparations. Everything about them was
workmanlike and they concentrated on all the basics and on team work and roles
within the team. It really was a great learning environment for a young
footballer.”
“Then you had the tradition of the school being involved on the big match days.”
“My first final was to see Greg Blaney lift the MacRory in 1981. He was a Down
senior at the time. That was a huge thing for me and the rest of the First Years.”
“Then I remember the College losing a two semi-finals in 1982 and 1983. Declan
(Mussen, his co-manager this year) would have played in those games, and he still
carries the hurt of those two defeats.”
Cathal never got his hands on a MacRory medal – but he did win a Hogan.
“For a few years during the mid 1980s, winning the Rannafast Cup qualified for the
Hogan and we won the 1986 Hogan. Benny Tierney and James McCartan were the first and last names on the team-sheet,” he recalled
The following March cross-town rivals Abbey denied Cathal MacRory glory in the final
in Lurgan.
“There was real heartache that day. I was one of the boys pulling off the school
jersey for the last time without getting the medal I really wanted. That was one of
the worst feelings I ever had in my life.”
Cathal left St Colman’s in the summer of ’87, and continued his collection of medals
– a Sigerson with St Mary’s, All-Ireland minor and Senior with Down, and a county
club championship with Clonduff.
His teaching career took him to St Louis Kilkeel.
“It was a small school and success wasn’t expected. I remember John Clarke being
part of our first success in the Br Ennis Cup title, before an exceptional group
came along that took us on a wonderful adventure through some great games – the
MacLarnon, All-Ireland B and then the MacRory.”
Omagh CBS beat them in the 2005 final after a replay. However Cathal was not there for St Louis’ defeat inthe following year’s final by Abbey.
At the end of that roller-coaster 2005 season, Cathal moved across south Down to
take up a teaching post vacated by Ray Morgan in his alma mater.
He well remembers being invited to lunch during the first week by Canon Francis
Brown, President of the College, where a former President Canon Liam
Stevenson was also present.
“I walked through the door and Canon Stevenson reached out his hand and said
“Welcome home, Cathal.”
“It was hard to leave St Louis, but Canon Stevenson’s words convinced me that I had
made the right move.”
As a former pupil and now coach, Cathal was well aware of the expectation in the
school.
“There is a huge tradition in St Colman’s. The photographs of winning teams along
the walls in the College play a huge part in forming the dreams of all young
footballers.”
This year’s team will join the 17 other winning MacRory formations on that wall –
but not until after their involvement in the Hogan Cup is complete.
The school has 6 Hogan titles to date and face St Gerald’s Castlebar in this
Saturday’s semi-final in Longford.
“Someone from the media asked me just as I came into the corridor of Casement Park after the MacRory final, if there was a Hogan in this team, and my reaction was –
Why not?”
“We have played good football all year. We set out to win a MacRory, but many of
the MacRory winners of the last few years have gone on to collect the Hogan.”
“I think the standard of football has been quite high this year and that we are
well-prepared for the next step.”
Submitted by: Seamus McAleenan
