Mayo school welcomes back 7 All-Ireland champions on memorable day

There was a memorable homecoming at St Colman’s College earlier this month when the Sam Maguire Cup was brought to the school by seven former students who were involved in Mayo’s historic All-Ireland triumph on July 26th.

Students lined the avenue to welcome Eoin McGreal, Enda Hession, Stephen Coen, Darragh Beirne, Fenton Kelly, Colm Finn and Conor Finn as they carried Sam Maguire towards their old school. The celebrations continued in the gym, where the seven received a rousing reception from the assembled school community.

Acting principal Suzanne Lohan welcomed the players back to St Colman’s, while the school’s GAA Coordinator, Gareth Duggan, spoke about the historic nature of Mayo’s achievement and the particular pride felt within the college at the role played by so many former students.

Mr Duggan also remembered some of the great St Colman’s GAA stalwarts who were not there to witness the occasion, including PJ McGrath, Tony Geraghty, Michael McDonnell, TJ Farragher and James O’Toole. All had given years to coaching and developing young footballers at the school, including future Mayo players.

Colm Boyle, representing the Mayo players and management, spoke about what it means for a young footballer to progress from representing school and club to pulling on the Mayo jersey. He also praised the seven former St Colman’s students and the dedication which had helped them reach the highest level.

The connections between the seven players and the college span more than a quarter of a century. Colm and Conor Finn first entered St Colman’s in 1999 and 2000 respectively, while Darragh Beirne was among the most recent to leave. Darragh was joint captain of the St Colman’s team which won the college’s seventh Connacht Senior 'A' title and reached the Hogan Cup Final in 2025.

The links with Mayo’s success went back even further. Former student Kieran Kilkenny, who won an All-Ireland Senior B title with St Colman’s in 1996, also attended and played an important part in organising the visit.

All of the returning players spoke during the celebrations and answered questions submitted by current students. They recalled their own time at St Colman’s and the part the school had played in both their football and personal development. Their message to the current generation was also about much more than football. They encouraged students to work hard and listen to their teachers and coaches, while stressing the importance of honesty, perseverance and resilience both on and off the field.

A recurring theme was that sporting success rarely exists in isolation. The students heard that the dedication required to succeed in sport can also be reflected in how people approach their education, careers and personal lives.

The school also acknowledged the continuing contribution of its former players long after they had left St Colman’s. Members of the group have returned over the years to take training and gym sessions, speak to students, offer advice and support school teams. For the current generation of students, the visit provided a particularly tangible connection with Mayo’s All-Ireland success. The seven players being celebrated had once walked the same corridors, sat in the same classrooms and represented the same school. The sight of them returning with the Sam Maguire Cup provided a reminder of just how far that journey can lead.

St Colman’s described the seven as wonderful ambassadors for the college and expressed its pride not only in their achievement on the football field but in the men they have become since leaving school.