CPC Gaelic team praised

The Senior Boys Gaelic Football Team from Cross and Passion College were praised at the College's annual Prize Presentations for providing ‘a glorious sporting year’ on the football field.



They clinched the Kildare, south Leinster and Leinster Colleges treble in quite stunning fashion, playing some breathtaking football along the way.

There were emphatic wins over close rivals St Joseph's Acadamy in the Kildare decider, as well as against Presentation Bray in the South Leinster decider.

However, the team had their finest hour in what turned out to be a battle royal in Navan in the Leinster decider when, with just over ten minutes remaining, they managed to turn an eight-point deficit into a two-point win.

"This was a match worthy of any stage and will live long in the hearts and minds of anyone lucky enough to witness it," coach and team manager Murt Dunne said at the prize-giving, where the trophies were presented by current County Senior player and past pupil Michael Conway.

"If ever there was an advert for what schools football is all about, then this was it. It truly was a game for the purists -- honest, hard hitting, open football, scores from everywhere, goals aplenty and skills to burn."

Murt said that most of all for himself, and probably for them too, this was the realisation amongst 20 young men from the neighbouring rural villages of Kilcullen, St Laurence's country and Suncroft, that they could unite themselves as a team in the primrose and blue of the Cross and Passion, and be victorious at the highest level.

“No matter where you go in the future, you can look back on those ten minutes and realise that you can actually do things that you think at the time are impossible,” he said. "For me, this was an utter privilege and one which I'll never forget. To the school, its staff and its students, and especially the boys who brought glory and village pride to the area, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for all their efforts in making this school and this team a success this year.

"To the supporters, parents and clubs of Kilcullen, St Laurence's and Suncroft, I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation for all the help given to us here at the school in terms of pitches, jerseys, support and sponsorship. Without your generous support this would all have not been possible, either."

Murt called on the GAA County Board to continue to develop and maintain a strong connection with schools football. "I believe that a thriving schools scene lays a solid foundation for future senior county successes," he said.

"It is of paramount importance that the long-term vision of Kildare GAA should centre on the injection and sustained input of GAA resources into second level schools in Kildare for the future betterment of our counties senior football team. From what I have witnessed this year already, the quality players are well and truly there."

The CPC Senior Boys panel were Franny Short, Daniel Fisher, Eoin Clifford, Shane O’Connor, Dwane O’Connor, Barry Comerford, Ronan Toft, David Hickey (Captain), John Browne, James Fahy, Paul Bell, Fionn Dowling, Shay Pembroke, Padraig Fogarty, Shane Molloy, Barry Jacob, Christy Walsh, Ronan Kiely, Sean Moore
Kelvin Kelly and Ross Clarke.

Murt Dunne is a teacher at CPC and a former County player. His club is Sarsfields.

(This piece was published on the Kilcullen Page of last week's Kildare Nationalist.)