College Sport: Sacred Heart's hard work sweeps up all silverware

Sacred Heart First XI footballers proudly show off their spoils with captain Niko Kirwan (centre) and coach Danny Hay (back, far right).

A heady and potent mix of talent, fitness, luck and a strong work ethic helped the Sacred Heart College First XI football side through to an unprecedented sweep of the four major schools trophies.

Coached by Danny Hay and led by Niko Kirwan, Sacred Heart dropped just one game all season, to close rivals Westlake in the premier league.

They won the Beswick Trophy for the premier league for just the second time in the school's First XI history, while also safely locked away in the cabinet are the Patrick Dunn Cup (played for among the Catholic schools), the Alex Harvey Cup (after beating St Kentigern), the Knockout Cup and the nationals trophy, won for the first time since 2011 and just the second ever by SHC.

MAGS under Kevin Fallon won all four major trophies in 2008, but did not hold all four at once.

Hay has seen football grow exponentially at Sacred Heart since he arrived in 2007 - he worked with a talented and successful group that included Tim Payne and Stephen Carmichael in 2011 - but says the class of 2014 is the hardest-working team he has coached.

"They roll their sleeves up for each other and have a fantastic team culture," says the former All White, who tasted schools success as a player with Kelston Boys' High from 1991-92.

Training kicked off on February 3, and didn't let up until Sacred Heart clinched the Knockout Cup on September 13.

One of the keys was that Sacred Heart were able to win games when not playing their best. A prime example of that was the Knockout Cup final, when the team was slightly dejected with their performance, despite winning the silverware.

But Hay looks back with pride on some of the best wins, such as the 7-0 hiding of MAGS, or the 2-0 win over St Kentigern in the semifinals of the nationals, the 3-1 win over Westlake in the final of the nationals, or the slick 4-2 win over St Kentigern to annex the Alex Harvey Cup and put them in prime position to win the premier league.

Defence played a big part in their strategy.

"That's something I take a huge amount of pride in. In any league in the world, the winners will be close to the best defensive team. We defend with structure and the front three do their share as well," says Hay.

The result was just 14 goals conceded in 24 games. They rode Lady Luck on occasion to get out of tight spots, and came from behind to win games six or seven times, not to mention winning their nationals quarter-final 4-2 over Palmerston North Boys' High in extra time when down to 10 men.

Standout individuals included skipper Niko Kirwan.

"He'll be a big loss [leaving school next year] as he's been an absolute warrior for us, dominating the middle of the park and off second phase. But there were also the likes of Jamie Woodlock, a year 11, who was in the front three, and [striker] Dylan Bull was outstanding," says Hay. Bull was the leading scorer, while Connor Probert also scored his share. In goal, keeper Michael Woud showed his bravery and skill many times.

In 2007, Sacred Heart was playing in the A2 (third tier) grade of Auckland schools football.

It shows how far they have come under Hay and reaping the benefits of the SHC sports institute.

The First XI squad
Niko Kirwan (c), Dylan Bull, Connor Probert, Dylan de Jong, Frank Clarke, Dominic Blake, Jamie Woodlock, Michael Woud, Lucas Imrie, John Murphy, Conrad Benefield, Luke Kenchington, Will Hooper, Josh Torrens, Griffin Hall, Jordin Draper, David Bell, William Gillingham, Alex Grieve, Dale Phillips. Manager: Allan Johnson.