Hail the All-Ireland Champions – Mount Sion CBS

The celebrations continued long after the final whistle sounded at O’Kennedy Park in New Ross, which saw Mount Sion CBS claim a famed Niall McInerney All-Ireland Senior D hurling final success with a thrilling extra-time win over Scoil Aireagail of Ballyhale. Pushing themselves to depths that seemed unlikely in the final stages of the final, Sion showed their sheer will to win in abundance to force extra-time before powering to a famed success in what was described as a tremendous success for the school.

What a match, what a team, what a day, what a school, read the Facebook post that accompanied captain Bradley Penkert lifting the cup, where the school dedicated the win to all who helped along the way – parents, coaches, staff, supporters and players.

After securing All-Ireland minor final success over Clare last June, a number of these players brought that fight and spirit for their school as Penkert, Tommy Kennedy, and Jack Teat joined a small group to win two National titles in under a year.

But there was something special in this one for Mount Sion. They may not be chasing the dream of Harty Cups as numerous teams in their school’s history have done in the past, but this was their mission and their dream accomplished. Like the minor hurlers after their thrilling win did, Mount Sion stopped on the bridge named famously after their school’s founder, Edmund Rice, to celebrate winning the title, and they brought the club back to the Mount Sion GAA field where many of them hurl with the famed club.

But it was the joy they brought to their faces as they marched through the school grounds last Monday that stirred great emotions as they celebrated a great triumph.

In a post, the school said: “A memory we will treasure forever. Our All-Ireland-winning team and coaches are being led through the school grounds by 3rd-year student Marc Mbanda on the bagpipes.

It is very special to see the bakehouse, monastery and chapel in the background, along with all the students and staff from the campus.” But it was that treasured moment when the school community welcomed home the victorious All-Ireland winning hurling team to the Primary School Hall, where they were greeted with an incredible reception.

It was nearly 20 years since a Mount Sion hurling team of minor age or above had brought a cup back to Mount Sion, which was special in its own right where the players were introduced to the crowd through a rousing rendition of the “Mount Sion Song”.

It was a special moment as Br. Peadar Gleeson spoke passionately about what this success means to the people of Mount Sion, and his words of wisdom and sage advice struck a chord with all there to hear him. There was one final twist at the homecoming, thanks to the team’s centre forward, Jack Teat, as his request that the week before Easter be homework-free was readily granted by Ms Burke, the primary school principal.

This was one of those moments that will forever be etched into the annals of the history of Mount Sion CBS and Mount Sion GAA. Well done, one and all.