U16B Coláiste Muire boys team come from 25 points down to beat St Flannan’s College in final

There was much joy and jubilation on the Great Island of Cobh in recent days. 

Justifiably so you may say, the U16B Coláiste Muire boys team beat St Flannan’s College, Ennis in the All-Ireland Basketball final.

However, this was not just a win, it was a triumph against all the odds a win where team spirit, heart, courage and composure won out against extraordinary odds.

Led by joint-captains Aidan Carney and Ciarán Clancy, the 14 young players displayed great valour when they made an incredible comeback from a 25-point deficit to beat the County Clare boys by two points.

Regarded as the underdogs by some, Coláiste Muire were playing from a pool of 720 students, while St. Flannan’s College from 1,280.

A spectacular large-scale projection on the wall of Belvelly Castle celebrating the All-Ireland triumph, captures the high spirits that abounds.

With the odds stacked up against them they held their own against St Flannan’s in the second and third quarter. 

“Aidan and I kept drilling it into the team that the game wasn’t over yet,” says Ciarán Clancy. 

Recipient of the Most Valuable Player of the match award, Ciarán played brilliant defence in all four quarters and secured crucial turnovers. 

“He is the heartbeat of a team,” claims coach Barra O’Connell. 

“Every great team needs a player like Ciarán. He gives 110%.” 

It was in the final quarter that Aidan Carney “caught fire” as and scored 27 points. 

“We couldn’t have done it without the crowd,” Aidan says. 

“They cheered us on when we were down and they cheered us on when we were up.” 

“It was extraordinary,” says sports enthusiast and PE teacher Aisling O’Callaghan. 

“It was the greatest comeback that I have ever seen in sports and proves how character building sports can be. 

"Sport is unpredictable and can unite everyone.” 

But what of the coach of the day, Mr Barra O’Connell? 

His belief in the team was strong. 

“I never thought we were underdogs. We had a plan.” 

His unphased approach to the 6’ 6”, Irish international player on the opposition, inspired confidence. 

Second year student Jacob Mosiewicz, marked him out of the game for the last two quarters. What a courageous achievement for the 14 year old!

Despite his success, Barra remains low key, acknowledging the help he received.

“I didn’t intend to be a basketball coach, I don’t claim to be a great basketball coach but I have experience up to a certain level of what it takes to win. 

"I played with Ballincollig and won an U14 and two U18 All-Irelands.

"My Mom was a basketball coach, so I guess basketball is in the family.

“In reality some of our players are coached by the club in Cobh, Neptune and Demons, where there is amazing work going on.” 

Yet despite the different clubs, there is unity. 

“As a core group they have played together for two years,” Barra explains.

Local pride and support is tangible. 

Sponsored by “Mimmos” restaurant, the team have the best elite gear that money can buy and provide any equipment needed to help improve their game.

The players commitment is real. 

“You wouldn’t get many kids turning up at half seven on a Wednesday morning. There are some guys who never missed a training. 

"They just get on with it and play hard. There is a bond there,” says Mr O'Connell. 

Everyone trains together. 

“The U19’s train with the U16’s and that brings them on."

Like every All-Ireland win, it is a community and entire squad effort. 

In the face of adversity, team spirit and connection bought the lads to victory. 

“The coaching by Mr. O’Connell and student Joe O’Connell was excellent and clearly played a huge role in guiding the team through such a challenging game,” says Mr O’ Brien, Principal of Coláiste Muire. 

“To come back from 25 points down and turn it into a two-point victory is a truly outstanding achievement. 

"I am particularly proud of the team character,” says the School Principal. 

“It showed remarkable resilience, belief and determination from the entire squad.”