The MUSA Arena in Cookstown was the venue once again for our nine schools who qualified for the Allianz Cumann na mBunscoil Girls Indoor Finals. The nine group winners saw a few schools who had both their girls and boys qualify for finals day together:
- St Teresa's PS Loughmacrory
- St Lawrence's PS Fintona
- St Mary's PS Dunamore
- St Oliver Plunkett PS Beragh
- St Patrick's PS Roan Eglish
- Gaelscoil Eoghain
- St Dympna's PS Dromore
- St Malachys PS Glencull
- St Patrick's PS Annaghmore
When the teams all present Mr Mickey Quinn made the draw and the schools were divided into two Groups.
Group A was made up from: St Oliver Plunkett PS Beragh, St Mary's PS Dunamore, St Teresa's PS Loughmacrory, St Patrick's PS Annaghmore and St Patrick's PS Roan Eglish.
Group B was made up of: St Lawrence's PS Fintona, Gaelscoil Eoghain, St Dympna's PS Dromore and St Malachys PS Glencull.
Group Stages
Our first group stage game was Beragh v Annaghmore. Annaghmore started the quicker of the two teams and gome great play from Siofra Kilpatrick and Isobel McCann in midfield saw them take all three points from the Beragh girls. For St Oliver Plunketts Amelia Harley and Simana Knapocova in midfield finished the game very strong and almost leveled the game up at the end but Annaghmore bravely saw the game out.
Up next was Gaelscoil Eoghain and Dromore. This was Gaelscoil Eoghain second day at the indoor finals with their boys also qualifying. The Dromore girls started very quickly playing some brilliant fast attacking football. Ellie Martin and Emma Collins had super games for the Dromore girls. They both had a number of great high catches and scores from tight angles. For Gaelscoil Eoghain Ciara McKeever had an excellent game with Scarlet McVey also catching the eye with some great pieces of individual skill but try as they may they couldn't close the gap.
Loughmacrory played Dunamore in our next game which was a great game between two strong teams. They both led the games at stages before Loughmacrory got the all important score to take the lead and take all 3 points. Brenda Marie Logue was a bundle of energy in the middle of the field. She had a great tournament for Loughmacrory and put in a great amount of hard running to make sure her team won. Dunamore were equally well served by Olivia Mulgrew, who throughout all their games showcased her skill and talent.
Glencull v Fintona gave us another exciting game. Fintona had a very athletic and mobile team full of tall powerful runners. Anna Colton in particular displayed all her talents with some great fielding, good ball carrying and some super finishing. The Glencull girls were not going to be beaten without a fight and they managed to reduce the gap with some fine scores from Aoibhinn Canavan and Kayla McGill who both caused the Fintona girls problems. But in the end Fintona were just too strong and they were able to hit the last few scores on the game and win their first three points.
Loughmacrory faced Roan after this game and they continued their impressive form. Orla Toner up front for Loughmacrory was a real handful and she hit some great scores despite great defending and pressure from Isla Daly who appeared to be everywhere for her team and worked non stop for her team. Eabha Mullan had a great game in the middle of the field and Mya McCann was able to hit a number of scores to give Roan hope but on the day Loughmacrory were just too strong. Toner and Logue added additional scores to ensure the Loughmacrory girls got another win.
Unbeaten Dromore met Glencull in their next game and the Glencull girls put on a great display With OLivia McGinley moved up front they looked more dangerous and hit a few great scores. Emma Maginness had a super game in defence for St Malachy's and despite being faced with Dromores brilliant forwards Ellen McCusker and Cait Garry she put up a brilliant defence. This was a an exciting and fact game going from one goal to to the opposite goal on every attack. Dromore were able to show how strong a squad they had in this game and the new girls brought in had a big impact keeping Dromore unbeaten and on top of their group.
Gaelscoil Eoghain faced the impressive St Lawrence's Fintona next. Ellen Rooney and Ciara McKeever continued their good form fir Gaelscoil Eoghain and stood out with some great pieces of skill and bravery. Dana McCarney showed well in this game for Fintona alongside the two Annas, Colton and Griffiths who were getting better in every game. There were a number of long range scores in the game especially for Fintona who shot at every opportunity.
Roan and Annaghmore saw the two black and white teams clash. Isla Daly hit a great score early in the half for Roan and she continued to cause trouble for Annaghmore the whole game. Mya McCann also increased he personal tally for the day adding on another few scores. Hollie O'Hagan and Eabha Mullan had super games with a great block late in the second half which was one of the stand out moments of the day.
Beragh next met a Dunamore team who were improving every game. Orlaith Mallon and Olivia Mulgrew got Dunamore of to a great start but with Zoe McNamee Amelia Harley and Orla Teague playing well for Beragh they put up a great fight to limit Dunamores chances. However Dunamore were very patient and when the chance of a goal would go they calmly took their points to ensure victory.
Gaelscoil Eoghain played Glencull in their last group stage games. Glencull got off to a great start with goals from Olivia McGinley but Gaelscoil Eoghain responded well with Ellen Rooney having a very good game. The Glencull girls seemed to have saved their best performance for this last game and with Kayla McGill and Aoibhinn Canavan in midfield they won a lot of possession despite the best efforts of Ciara McKeever who impressed all day for the Cookstown girls.
After the final group stage games we had two unbeaten teams topping their groups. In Section A Loughmacrory came out as winners with Dunamore runners up. In Group B Dromore emerged as winners with Fintona runners up. Our Semi final stage was set.
Semi Final 1
Loughmacrory v Fintona
This was one of the tightest games of the day with very little between the two teams. From the opening minute it was score for score. Both teams were able to get their key players on the ball and converted almost every chance they created. With Brenda Marie Teague continuing to show well for Loughmacrory and Anna Colton doing the same for Fintona it looked like we would have a draw and need extra time but Loughmacrory got the final score to leave it 5-5 to 5-4. The Fintona girls were disappointed not to reach the final but they should be very proud with the quality of performance and effort they showed on the day. They look like a real quality team that will be difficult to beat in our outdoor competitions this year.
Semi Final 2
Dromore v Dunamore
In our second semi final two of the teams who impressed all day met for the first time. Dromore once again got off to a great start, with Ellie Martin and Cait Garry winning ball and showing all their skills and vision. OLivia Mulgrew who played well in every game battled bravely to take the game to Dromore but their strength and quality carried them through. Even when Aine Tracy and Orlaith Mallon greated chanced Aoife McMahon in goals was able to somehow make a save to deny the gaol. The Dromore girls had improved in every game they played, but in the semi final they showed a great a great strength in depth. The subs who came in picked out some brilliant kick pases to spread the play and switch wings quickly. As a team they always looked like they had time on the ball. Ellen McCusker and Emma Collins caught the eye with some great finishing and very unselfish play in the last few minutes. The Dunamore girls put up a great spirited display and made Dromore work hard for every score. They will hope to learn from this blitz like last years team and go on to defend their crown from the outdoor girls county final last year.
Final
Dromore v Loughmacrory
The girls competition this year was of a very high standard. The quality and level of skill shown was very impressive. We had teams who didn't qualify through from their groups who in previous years may even have been good enough to go on and win it. Like in the boys group the two top scoring teams from the group stages met for the first time in the final.
Both teams deserve so much credit for the quality of football they produced on the day not just in the final but in every game prior to it. It was a great game to watch. Right from the throw up Dromore were on the attack and scored immediately. Loughmacrory responded well and replied with a score of their own. The Dromore girls then went on a scoring blitz with three scores in a row. Loughmacrory tried everything to get back in front but Dromore seemed to have players everywhere and were putting great pressure on the ball carrier. Unfortunately for Loughmacrory Brenda Marie Logue, who was having a great game had to go off with a knock. In truth it was very difficult to pick out one player for the Dromore team as they had such a strong squad and were able to rotate players regularly in every game. Dromore proved to be too difficult to break down despite the Loughmacrory girls giving it everything. FRom round one in the day it was clear that St Dympna's were going to be very difficult to beat. They have a team filled with very skillful and hard working girls. Their quality, teamwork and understanding was very impressive.
The Loughmacrory girls, can be very proud of finishing in the top 2 out of 72 primary schools in Tyrone this year. Mrs Elaine Donnelly their teacher was very proud of the effort, skills and attitude the girls showed in every game they played in.
As for the winning team their teacher Mr Ciaran McLoughlan, was also very proud of the display their girls put on, not just in the final but over the full course of finals day football.
Many thanks go to our referee on the day Marty Coyle, aided Mr Grimley, who also praised the girls and coaches present for their exemplary sporting conduct. We would also like to thank Mr Mickey Quinn from Tyrone and Ulster Cumann na mBunscoil for organising the day and running all the games so smoothly, and MUSA for the use of this excellent facility.
The title of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Girls’ Indoor Football Champions 2024 is now St Dympna's Dromore. They will go on now to represent Tyrone in the Ulster Indoor Championship on Wednesday 20th of March in the Meadowbank Sports Arena Magherafelt. Everyone associated with Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain wish them well and hope they can reproduce the same levels of skill and commitment they showed today to help them claim an Ulster Girls Indoor Title!
Ádh mór oraibh!
