'These boys are a credit to the area they represent' - Scoil Mhuire manager Carr

Scoil Mhuire Buncrana manager Paddy Carr said his school side are a credit to everyone they represent following their tremendous 2-0 victory over Belvedere College in the Dr Tony O’Neill All-Ireland final at the Showgrounds. 

It’s a historic day for the school which sees them capture their first All-Ireland A final at boys’ level with two second-half goals from Shaunie Bradley and a Conor Graham goal seeing the Inishowen school to victory. 

“The boys have been immense all year but today again, they battled hard as a team, they were fantastic from start to finish and I’m just delighted they won it,” said Carr. 

“They can hold their heads high, they created history by being the first team from the school to have won this All-Ireland trophy, or any All-Ireland at boys' level. We’ve been successful down through the years with the girls' teams, but this is a first for the lads, it’s just a great day.” 

With a strong wind playing its part in the game, Carr knew it was important to stay level with Belvedere College until half-time, with the opposition choosing to shoot with the wind in their favour.  

But Carr admitted he had total faith in his back four to keep the long ball from the Dublin school from causing any danger. 

“It was quite even up until half-time, neither team was creating too many chances, but having said that, our back four were really solid and have been all year,” Carr added.  

“We had our homework done on these lads, we knew their men up top were dangerous but our back four were comfortable throughout and were never fazed by the opposition. 

“I think we were solid all across the field. Normally you have some nerves before these finals, but our lads just went out and gave their all really. 

“We played against the wind in the first half, so Old Belvedere kept using the wind to their advantage by playing the ball into the channels, but we knew if we could stay with them until half time we’d be in a good position because they wouldn’t be able to play the long ball as much against the wind in the second half.” 

And their plan worked wonders, with the Donegal school starting the second period of the game the better of the two sides, with Scoil Mhuire eventually slotting home two goals on the 65th and 73rd minute to see them home and dry. 

“I think we started really well in the second half, which gave us a massive boost. We knew we were the better team, so it was just about capitalising on our opportunities and trying to get the first goal.  

“In fairness to Old Belvedere, they did play nice football, but they just weren’t as effective against the wind, so we just tried to stay calm on the ball and not try and give the opposition any time in possession. 

“When we scored the second goal, it was really about staying composed because when you have 20 minutes left in the game, the next goal is so crucial, because if it went 2-1, then anything can happen, heads can change and momentum can change, but I was still confident with our defense that we would see the game out.” 

Carr also adds that his players may have taken a lot of hurt from losing their All-Ireland GAA final last month into today’s game, with the players adamant that they were not going to lose two finals on the bounce. 

“For the boys themselves, it’s a great way for them to finish their time in school. I think it’s more joyous because we finally got over that line and created history. We had so many hard luck stories in this school, so thankfully we have a happy story to take home to Buncrana,” Carr proclaimed. 

“Even recently, the boys lost an All-Ireland final in GAA, and I say they didn’t want to lose a second in the space of a month, so I presume they carried that hurt with them into today’s game and I’m just so proud of them. They’re a real credit to all the people they represent.”