Principal to bring an army of Muredach’s fans to Dublin

The students who have been part of this mission to help St Muredach’s College win the biggest prize of all in schools’ basketball are part of a journey the likes the Ballina school has never seen since its doors opened in 1906.

High praise has been bestowed upon the players by principal Wayne Walsh, who has watched a special group, who have been role models on and off the court, flourish over the past two years as they now prepare for the biggest game in their young lives.

This Tuesday, January 21, they will play St Mary's of Portlaoise at the National Basketball Arena in the final of the All-Ireland Schools U19 'A' Cup Basketball Final.

“It's been fantastic. The boys are a credit to work with,” Mr Walsh told the Western People. “They're obviously fantastic role models for the other students in the school and Barry (Murphy) has obviously been fantastic. The chemistry between the lads and Barry obviously helps them to go that extra mile when they're competing. So I think their achievement is unprecedented and we might never see it again in our lifetime.

“I'm glad for them and they absolutely deserve to be there because they work so hard. It goes without saying they work quite hard when they're actually in lessons as well, so they've really managed to achieve the balance, which is great.” 

The pressures of young adults at this stage in their life are perhaps more heightened than ever in the social media age. As well as basketball, they have the demands of the everyday school students with exams and homework, Some excel also in other sports; Nathan Roddy also plays Gaelic football with his school, his club Ardnaree Sarsfields and was part of the Mayo U17 team’s Connacht title success last year while Brian Donoghue plays rugby with his school, Ballina RFC and Connacht. But it is something they take in their stride, says Wayne Walsh.

“Each and every one of them plays at least two sports. Markie Cunningham is obviously a specialist in basketball but he's a Leaving Cert student so he's balancing this too.

“I could go through every single one of them, they’re all balancing something that's on the side. The thing that's inspiring is they're level-headed, they really, really listen to what Barry is telling them. They're obviously benefiting immensely too from all the excellent experience they've got with the Ballina Braves. When the time comes, they apply themselves correctly. How they performed in that semi-final in the first quarter was just outstanding. They're a credit to themselves and a big thanks to their parents and family members who travel over and back to those games in Dublin and indeed to all the games. I'm delighted for them,” adds the principal.

And beyond the players on the court and their parents, it’s the work of the coaches, of other teachers, of the board of management and that of the sponsors as well, who play their part in this remarkable story.

“It's a massive effort, everybody's got their own parts to play, whether directly or indirectly, there's a lot of investment going into the lads in terms of time, in terms of coaching and in terms of financial with trying to get some sponsorship for the buses and jerseys and shooting tops. We want to thank Tile Superstores in particular for sponsoring their new shooting jerseys so that they can warm up,” says Mr Walsh.

“Essentially, before these big games I'll have a meeting with the lads and say, ‘Look, is there anything I can do to make your life easier, to help you?’ And they said they wanted to have the same sort of shooting tops as these professional types of teams, the type of teams they're coming up against now.” 

Although they beat Coláiste Eanna in the semi-final, who have been one of the dominant forces at this age group over the past three years, a big challenge lies ahead for St Muredach’s. But, like last year, Mr Walsh hopes the roar of the large support as part of the ‘Tallaght Takeover’ will push them over the line.

“We're under no illusions on the back of beating a team going for four-in-a-row in terms of All-Ireland ‘A’. Just because we've beaten them in the semi-finals doesn't mean that they're going to walk through the final. The final is going to be quite difficult and there'll only be a basket in it, I would imagine.

“The invite is there for every single student in the school to go and we're currently gathering numbers but there'll be approximately 200 students at least travelling on buses along with staff.

“The boys were fantastic when we went up there twice last year in finals and the supporters really helped kick the lads over the line.

“It's a massive team effort, the boys directly themselves on the court, Barry off the court, the supporters, the family members and the fans will all play a massive part. We're hoping it's going to be a positive occasion and, you know, regardless, we're extremely proud of the boys.

“There's been thousands and thousands of students on teams in Muredach’s over the last 118, 119 years. They're unbelievable, and there's not one big ego between them all. That must be said. They're very humble and hardworking, and so long as they keep that mentality, they'll go far.”