The Official Ulster Colleges GAA Website - Sponsored by BT
Thu 10th Mar 2011
St. Patrick's College, Bearnageeha has reached its first ever BT Nolan Cup Final following a 2-9 to 0-5 win over defending champions, St. Joseph's Convent, Donaghmore - a rare Antrim win over a Tyrone side.
Ciaran Largey & Liam Campbell were the men who netted the all important goals to kill off a determined Donaghmore challenge.
It is a remarkable achievement for the North Belfast college. The local community has a proud GAA tradition that is served by just three vibrant clubs - Ard Eoin CLG, Na Piarsaigh CLG & Naomh Éanna CLG.
Whilst the majority of Bearnageeha's squad is drawn from these three, it should also be noted that a third of St. Patrick's squad do not play for any club.
In a school of 780 boys, this a common feature of many of the GAA teams in the College. Indeed, it makes the achievement of the BT Nolan Cup squad all the more admirable when the quality and pedigree of some the schools & colleges in the competition is taken into consideration.
In its 14 year involvement with Coláistí Uladh, Coláiste Phádraig has achieved success in the BT Bro. Murphy Cup (Year 8), BT Mallon Cup (Year 9) and BT Ennis Cup (Year 10). However, it has never made any breakthrough at senior school level until now. Indeed, the current Nolan squad is backboned by many of the 2007 BT Mallon Cup winners.
With the final against Aquinas Grammar due to take place somewhere in Belfast (hopefully Casement Park!) on Wednesday, the senior footballers on the Antrim Road are looking forward to sampling even a little bit of the limelight enjoyed by the 'big guns' on the 17th and will do their best to have their own St. Patrick's day a little earlier than the rest!
Submitted by: Carl McCabe
