As the dust settles, the reality of school may have hit home for some St. Kieran’s College students after another All-Ireland final victory.
While Dublin was awash with green over St. Patrick’s weekend, Croke Park was painted black and white.
Much like Ballyhale Shamrocks did in the club All-Ireland series, St. Kieran’s came away from the 2022 campaign without the coveted title.
Shamrocks righted that wrong earlier this year and St. Kieran’s were not going to miss the opportunity to do the same.
See also: 8 Ballyhale Shamrocks players named to AIB GAA Club Hurling Team of the Year
One man who experienced the heartbreak and elation between both camps is a young star who was named in the club hurling team of the year, Killian Corcoran.
Speaking to Scoreline, Corcoran outlined the desire within the school to capture the Croke Cup.
“It has been 2019 since we last won it. My brother Daragh Corcoran, Dean Mason, and Eoin Cody were on that team.
“We want to win it every year, but things have not happened in the last few years. Last year we came up against Ard Scoil Ris, we lost so we knew this year we were not going to leave it behind.
“I am delighted, it is my second All-Ireland in three months, so I cannot complain.”
He continued: “They are always behind me in Ballyhale. Siobhan & John Kennedy are always posting on Instagram supporting me. I get texts from management, TJ (Reid), and Colin (Fennelly), they all wish me the best of luck every time.”
What an unbelievable goal. Donagh Murphy of @MLRangers in the All-Ireland schools final for @KieransCollege 🔲pic.twitter.com/fTZo4zLQJb
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) March 20, 2023
See also: St. Kieran’s College beat Presentation Athenry to win 24th All-Ireland senior hurling title
One of the goalscorers on the day, along with Anthony Wall & Ted Dunne, was Carlow and Mount Leinster Rangers star Donagh Murphy.
Speaking to KCLR’s Brendan Hennessy after the game, it was evident how much the victory meant to the classy forward.
“It is brilliant after the hurt from last year. The performances we put in all year and then to lose in the final was devastating. This year we really put our head down. I am just delighted we ground it out,” Murphy said.
“It is hard to put into words.”
Listen back to the full interview along with the thoughts of manager Brian Dowling on Scoreline Extra below:
