Roscommon school ready to ‘have a go’ as they bid to reach All-Ireland final

It has been quite the year for Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown.

The East Roscommon school have seen both their senior men’s and ladies’ football teams progress through to Connacht finals. Although the men’s side saw their hopes of provincial glory ended by Roscommon CBS, their journey to the final was remarkable.

The school’s ladies footballers captured the Connacht Senior C title with a thrilling 3-8 to 0-12 triumph over Ursuline College in mid-January.

Scoil Mhuire manager John Compton states that there has been an enjoyable atmosphere within the school due to both teams’ success.

“They are all in the one class and there is a lot of communication between the two groups. It is very good-natured. I would be teaching a lot of those kids, so I’m delighted. The men’s team acquitted themselves well. They have quite a young team.

“There is a great atmosphere around the school. One pushes on the other as well. Hopefully, we can take one more step and get all the way to the All-Ireland final, which would be brilliant.

“It is all about the development of each player. It is a fantastic experience for the girls, regardless of the outcome,” he noted.

A goal-hungry Coláiste Muire, Ennis, will provide the opposition in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe this afternoon (Friday) (throw in 2 p.m.). The Clare school won their Munster final by a point, defeating St. Mary’s, Macroom, after extra time.

By the time this Friday’s game comes around, the Ennis school will have gone 16 days without a competitive fixture as opposed to a 60-day wait for Scoil Mhuire.

That provides a challenge for the Connacht champions, as does managing the players’ workload with the start of the intercounty season around the corner.

“It is a big issue (managing the workload). Most of the girls are training four nights a week. Then you are trying to do your own bits on top of that. You are conscious that girls are trying to do their best by you and everyone else. The worry is if they aren’t forthcoming about injuries because they want to play, then you risk something more serious. It is the little soft tissue injuries that are a worry.

“Trying to keep the lines of communication open is important. We are lucky that the county (minor) manager Aidan Main has been brilliant to deal with. He lets me know when players are carrying a knock and what the problems are. You can watch for that then. The club managers are also excellent.

“Everybody is in that position. The biggest issue of the whole lot is that schools are so busy that you are trying to arrange challenge games with other schools and there is so much going on.

“You are ringing lovely people from different schools and they are trying to facilitate us, but you have mocks, orals, projects with the new Leaving Cert after coming in. You are so acutely aware of kids missing time alongside you missing time, so that is where there is a real pressure,” Compton stated.

Scoil Mhuire face a tricky test as they aim to go one step better than in 2023 when they lost at this stage of the competition to Cavan’s Virginia College.

Ashling Carlos, Denise Duffy, Eimear Flynn, Erica Jordan, Fiona Jones, Gaby Compton, Georgia Gerrity, Holly Rogers, Jessica Lee, Nicole McGinley, Sarah Gunn and Sarah Keane were all involved in that semi-final in ’23 as they aim to go one step better this time around.

With the school aiming to reach the All-Ireland Senior C final for the first time since 2010, Compton wants his side to seize the moment.

“Semi-finals can be a little bit more nerve-wracking than finals because you just want to get into the final and experience all that goes with getting there. I am a long time taking teams and if you knew the formula it would be great.

“On the day we will keep things very simple. The girls will go to their first three classes. We will try and keep things very normal and not get there too early.

“We always encourage them not to be afraid to make mistakes. If you are not trying to make things happen you are hiding on the pitch, so they are never given out to for making mistakes. Don’t sit back and let the game pass you by. If there is a shot on take it. If it goes wide then we go again. That is what we try and encourage them to do, to have a go. We want them to enjoy the game,” he concluded.