Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain held their eagerly awaited annual Girls’ 5-a-side Indoor Football Tyrone Final today, Tuesday 14th March, in Cookstown’s MUSA centre. Despite the poor weather conditions we experienced all nine schools from across the county made it to play in the Tyrone Final Day. The question on everyone’s lips was… Who will be crowned Tyrone Champions 2023?
The footballing prowess on show was undeniable. These girls were to give us a Tyrone Final Day to live long in the memory.
The format of the day’s play was a two-section, even though the snow fall in the morning cast doubt on what teams would battle on the pitch, the elements were no match for these 9 schools. Schools that stop at nothing to let their children enjoy their games.
A high quality competition saw 9 teams who had qualified from their regional heats play each other. There was never much between the teams. Indeed, all of them played their hearts out for the cause. St Joseph's Killeenan, St Malachy's PS Glencull, Tummery, St. Mary's Cabragh, St Scire's P.S.Trillick, St John’s Kingsisland, St. Dympna's PS Dromore, St Mary's Dunamore and St Patrick’s Eskra were the teams who would do battle in Cookstown.
With St Scire’s Trillick topping section one under the watchful eye of Mr Gallagher. After ten games St Malachy's PS Glencull, Tummery, St. Mary's Cabragh had an identical win record meaning they had to work out goal difference to decide who the second place team would be from this section. Mr Morrow’s girls had ascore difference of +2 meaning they would go through. A firm handshake between Mr Mc Crystal and Mr Canavan from Tummery and St Malachy’s respectively signalled both teams had had their day bowing out a galant joint third, proud to be in the top 9 in the county.
Group two saw St John’s Kingsisland, St. Dympna's PS Dromore, St Mary's Dunamore and St Patrick’s Eskra fight for semi final places. After 6 pulsating games, it was the girls from Eskra and Dunamore who prevailed, thus securing a top 4 slot in the county and a coveted place in the semi finals.
So a set of semis was set up. Eskra played Trillick in what was a match for the ages. Mr Meenagh’s girls proved the better team with great scores in front of the goals. The other semi saw Dunamore topple a galant Cabra team. Mr Morrow was very proud of the effort shown from his girls who can be proud they are in the top four in the county.
The stage was set for Eskra to play Dunamore. Both first timers in the county final. An incredible game of football ensued. Both teams expended every ounce of energy in a huge effort the land this highly sought-after trophy. The match ebbed one way and then the other but eventually Eskra’s goalkeeping prowess saw them come out on top. The Eskra girls were worthy title holders. Gold County medals are just reward for their unyielding efforts!
The Dunamore girls, meanwhile, can be very proud of finishing in the top 2 out of 72 primary schools in Tyrone. Maith sibh!
As for the victorious team, Master Meenagh, Mrs Mc Callan and their triumphant Eskra girls can now bask in the glory of this tremendous accomplishment. The title of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Girls’ Indoor Football Champions 2023 is well deserved.
Next up for them is a tilt at the Ulster Championship title in the next fortnight.
Everyone associated with Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain certainly wishes them well in their quest for further glory.
Ádh mór oraibh!
