“It’s a crazy achievement” - Kevin Muldoon on reaching MacRory Cup semi-final

When the fat was in the fire in Convoy in the MacRory Cup quarter-final, Kevin Muldoon was central to the two big plays which ensured Donegal Town school, Abbey VS, are into the last four of the MacRory Cup after they defeated St Colman’s of Newry by 1-7 to 1-5.

The school won the MacLarnon and All-Ireland Paddy Drummond Cups last year and have done themselves proud in stepping up to the top level of college football.

“It’s a crazy achievement. Especially for an Abbey team like us who have never been in the MacRory before. It’s a super achievement. We’re making history in the school, the first time ever making it.

“You couldn’t ask for anything more,” was the reaction of the influential Muldoon after the game.

The game might not have been high in quality at times but there was a very exciting finish and the Donegal Town boys set their stall out very early, going four points ahead and keeping St. Colman’s scoreless.

“I think the first 10, 15 minutes that we had was probably the best football we have played yet (in the competition). We just kept going at them and used our speed.

“And then they got control of the game. I don’t know what happened, we might have lost a bit of energy, but they just controlled the ball, but they didn’t use it too well.”

With both sides racking up a good number of wides, Muldoon agreed that the scoreline could have been higher at half-time and he was thankful that the Abbey ‘keeper Lewis McCaughan made a great stop a few minutes before the break.

“It was an outstanding save because I think we were four points ahead at the time and it gave us a boost going into half-time. Lewis saved us and we were calmer then for the second half.”

The second half was close until another big turning point when Conor McCahill hit the first goal of the contest.

“It was a great run up the field. Big Tiarnan (McBride) did well to hold it and send Conor McCahill. It was a great finish by Conor, as he always does.”

But when St Colman’s hit back and cut the lead to just one point when they got their goal, it didn’t look good for the Donegal school. It seemed as if all the momentum was with the Newry boys.

But up stepped Muldoon to win the kick-out and set up the next score for Abbey VS.

“I think that stopped their momentum, getting that ball. That’s all I had in my mind, getting the next score. It was great handwork and footwork with Oisin (Doherty) to Tomás (Carr) and he finished it well.”

What a year it has been for the talented Muldoon, who spent most of the last year in the Sligo Rovers Academy. He has now won Donegal U-21 as well as Donegal and Ulster minor medals.  He has now helped his school into the last four of the MacRory Cup.

“It’s crazy this. We are just a really lucky side who have been playing from when we were weans. That’s just the chemistry and it works well, really well.

“It was a tight game, but we are happy to get over the line,” said Muldoon, who said they could sit back now and get a look at their semi-final opponents.