Counsel's rise now complete

"And the meek shall inherit . . ." If not exactly a giant-slaying act of biblical proportions, Good Counsel's progression to All-Ireland colleges senior football champions would be a feel-good story for even the most cynical observer.

Six years ago, Counsel made the breakthrough at national level when winning the B title. Yesterday, at Croke Park, the New Ross school, winners of the Leinster title three times this decade, won the one that really matters - the Hogan Cup - and, for good measure, they did so in some degree of style against the competition's masters, St Jarlath's of Tuam, who have more titles at this level than any other team.

Good Counsel's willingness to stick to a gameplan, and a work ethic that was exemplary, led to an historic victory - and left Jarlath's with no complaints. On the day, the better team won, and Counsel's eventual four-point winning margin bore adequate testimony to their superiority.

A heavy shower shortly after the throw-in made the early combat a mite tentative, and as a number of players insisted on bouncing the ball on the greasy surface (and more often than not lost it) there was some mayhem. However, things settled down and thereafter both sides provided a lively encounter that included some well-taken scores and, particularly towards the end, a number of good blocks.

In an attempt to negate the influence of big midfielders Ronan Loftus and Enda Trench for St Jarlath's, Counsel brought back corner-forward Shane Cullen to act as a third midfielder. It was a ploy that worked well. Not only did it crowd this area of the field, but Cullen's workrate enabled him to help out his attack.

Still, Jarlath's eased into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes. Declan Newell, with his pace and his trickery on the ball, hinted at the problems he could cause to the Counsel defence if allowed any space and the full-forward line moved well into space. The best move of the early exchanges saw Michael Webb gallop forward from defence to get on to a Cian O'Brien pass to point.

By the 14th minute, though, Counsel had drawn level - courtesy of points from Thomas Ely and Edward Galavan - and it was nip and tuck until the decisive moment of the first half, right at its death.

A move that originated deep in their own half from a free awarded for a pick-up off the ground finished with midfield partners Eric Bradley and Galavan playing a neat one-two and Galavan blasting home his side's goal. It gave Counsel a 1-6 to 0-5 interval lead. Counsel were never to be headed again, but Jarlath's refused to simply fade away. In the 40th minute, Alan O'Donovan first-timed the ball to the net after Loftus's 65 was broken down amid a sea of arms in the square - but Michael Phelan calmed Counsel nerves when sensibly taking a point minutes later rather than risking a shot at goal and the possibility of a morale-boosting save from John O'Hara.

When Jarlath's did mount strong pressure, the Counsel defence - in which Ciaran Hyland pulled off two tremendous blocks and goalkeeper David Kehoe also bravely saved from Derry O'Brien - held firm, and any anxiety in the Wexford camp was shelved when Phelan and the impressive Philip Doyle finished the scoring with points from frees.

The absence of adult linesmen, in both the A hurling and football matches, was unacceptable for All-Ireland finals and, indeed, the students who undertook "line duty" came under pressure on occasions to change their decisions from team officials on the sideline.

In what was an otherwise well-organised programme at Croke Park, this area warrants a review.