Bright start proves half the work for Colaiste Na Mi
GAVIN BYRNE
Meath side Colaiste Na Mi's were obliged to navigate extra-time to earn their passage through to the Leinster semi-final on Thursday, with a 5-2 victory over west Leinster champions Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa of Clara.
Their victory gave credence to that old saying: "A good start is half the work."
Played on the astro at Moate Business School, the long bus trip didn’t seem to faze North East champions CNM, who couldn’t have hoped for a better start when Conor Hannigan turned in Carlos Vazquez del Rio’s cross inside two minutes to open up an early lead.
This was cancelled out ten minutes later however, when Clara levelled after a mix-up in the CNM defence. The second half followed the same trend as the first.
Alan Istrati’s free-kick from out wide deceived everyone in the box and managed to sneak into the far corner, before the Offaly boys battled back with a quick breakaway goal of their own to force extra-time after it ended 2-2 on 80 minutes.
Composure was key to CNM’s success in the additional 20 minutes which followed. Team captain Liam Herbert, who led by example throughout, made no mistake in heading home Hannigan’s cross after a great turnover by Alex Quigley in midfield to edge the Meath men in front once more.
This time CNM managed to not only hold onto their lead, but add to it, when Brandon O’Callaghan’s powerful strike from Killian McCarrick’s fine run and cross found the net to somewhat ease the tension. A hard-fought win was capped off when Seán O’Connell’s thunderous 30-yard free-kick proved too strong for the ‘keeper to handle, and found it’s way to the net for CNM’s fifth.
CNM were made to work for this win against a solid Clara side, and qualify for the school’s second ever Leinster semi-final, with Kilkenny opposition Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown standing in the way of a final berth.
Colaiste Na Mi - Tyler Farrell, Max Curtis, Alex Quigley, Alan Istrati, Seán O’Connell, Kyle Connolly, Carlos Vazquez del Rio, Killian McCarrick, Conor Hannigan, Liam Herbert, Jonathan Rice. Subs - Jan Weselowski, Brandon O’Callaghan, Muddasser Khan, Jack Clynes.