THERE were scenes of great excitement in Claughaun on Saturday when the Patrician Academy footballers were crowned All-Ireland senior C champions.

Elaine O’Regan has been teaching in the Mallow school for the past 12 years. This is her first year as principal and she was thrilled with the All-Ireland success.

“It means everything to the school and the community. These are a fantastic bunch of boys and I would like to pay tribute to their coaches Derek and Eoin for their dedication.

“It has put the Academy on the map.”

A delighted team captain Kieran Twomey paid tribute to all the panel who worked so hard. 

“I couldn’t wish for a better last year in school to captain this bunch to All-Ireland glory is a dream come true. We had a serious panel of players. I knew when Derek and Eoin got on board this year we would have a very good chance.

“Most of the team will be overage next year but we still have a number of younger players coming through.”

Selector Derek O’Brien was thrilled with the success.

“It was the culmination of a number of years. We were in the Cork Colleges Senior A FC this year and we won that title. We also won the Munster and are now All Ireland champions.

“We had a lot of high power players in our team. It means everything to the school.

“Thirteen of the panel of 24 will be underage next year. We still have a Munster U15 hurling final and a Senior B Cork Colleges final that involves a number of these lads today.”

Eoin Carroll, another selector, paid tribute to the contribution of all involved.

“Over the campaign we played 10 games in Cork, Munster and the All Ireland series.

“We won all 10 games. Our total scoring from the 10 games was 32 goals and 139 points while we conceded a total of 19 goals and 84 points.

“Today was the first major test. All-Ireland finals are never easily won as we found out today. At the start of the campaign, we targeted Munster and hoped to do well in the Simcox Cup Cork Colleges.”

Pat Heffernan one of the backroom mentors has been involved with teams since coming there as a teacher 15 years ago. Pat came from St Flannan’s where there was great GAA heritage.

“To get to an All-Ireland final and to be part of it is special and to win was extra special. The Academy school had been badly burnt in 2016 and the school was moved all over the town. To be back in the school is great. To win this All-Ireland today is huge.”