The much anticipated Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tír Eoghain Boys Indoor Finals took place today at the MUSA Sports Complex in Cookstown, bringing together the winners from our 9 heats from all across the county.
As expected the day was filled with excitement and intense competition as schools battled for the coveted title of Tír Eoghain Indoor Champions 2025. As with our Girls Day yesterday the event was organized and run by Mickey Quinn, whose efforts ensured that everything ran smoothly throughout the day.
The school representing the 9 sections were:
Roan PS Eglish
St. Colmcille's Carrickmore
St. John’s PS Kingsisland
St. Joseph's PS Galbally
St. Lawrence's PS Fintona
St. Mary’s PS Stewartstown
St. Mary's PS Ballygawley
St. Oliver Plunkett PS Beragh
St. Teresa's PS Loughmacrory
The teams were split into two Sections, with a group of 4 and a group of 5.
Section 1- was made up of; Roan PS Eglish, St. Joseph's PS Galbally, St. Lawrence's PS Fintona, St. Mary's PS Ballygawley and St. Teresa's PS Loughmacrory.
Section 2- was made up of the remaining schools; St. Colmcille's Carrickmore, St. John’s PS Kingsisland, St. Mary’s PS Stewartstown, St. Oliver Plunkett PS Beragh.
The format saw each team playing in a round-robin format within their respective groups. This ensured that each team had multiple opportunities to showcase their skills and qualify for the knockout stages.
Group Games
Our first game of the day was St. Lawrence's PS Fintona v St. Mary's PS Ballygawley. This was a close game with Fintona taking the lead early through good play from Enda Gallen and Oisin O’Hanlon who both had a great tournament. St Mary’s responded well with Eoghain McCann playing well for the Ballygawley boys. Fintona however were not going to be beaten and in the closing stages broke the deadlock with two well taken goals to get the first points of the day on the board.
Game 2 paired Loughmacrory and Roan in the tightest of games. Loughmacrory took an early lead with very well taken gaols from Shea Cullen and Daithí Slane who had excellent games. Roan started slowly but as the game went on they warmed to the task. A well taken goal from Keelan Jordan got them back into the game and gave them belief. Loughmacrory were well organised and defended bravely but in the final seconds got caught on the break with Roan's Jordan scoring the goal that gave them victory.
Game 3 saw close neighbours Carrickmore and Beragh clash. The St. Oliver Plunkett men started well with Daithi Farley and Daniel Conroy catching the eye with their play. St. Colmcille's grew into the game and played fast attacking football. Cillian Gormley was excellent in defence and Ryan McCullagh was able to get the scores up front to give them their first win of the day.
Game 4 saw Stewartstown and Kingsisland play their first game. Jake McElhatton and Eoghain Cunningham were excellent for the St. Mary’s PS boys and it took some great play from Fionn McShane to give Kingsisland the lead. Twins Alfie and Finn McGlinchey battled hard for Stewartstown closing the gap but Louis O’Neill was there to make sure Kingsisland increased their lead and take the victory.
In Game 5 Loughmacrory and Fintona play their second game of the day. Shea Cullen continued his good run of form and opened the scoring with a brilliant attack. Charlie Gallagher was causing lots of problems for the Fintona boys and set up Daithi Slane for a brilliant score. Fintona had Pascal McCarney to thank for a good equalising score but they could not stop the Loughmacrory boys from taking their first win.
In Game 6 Stewartstown had their second game of the day against Beragh. This was a tight game that saw both teams trade scores with Jake McElhatton and Daithi Farley going score for score. Nicolas Eva was excellent and did everything to ensure St. Oliver Plunkett PS Beragh took the two points.
Game 7 was a super contest between Carrickmore and Kingsisland. It was a super game with two teams who gave it everything. Kingsisland started brightly with Jonathan Blair continuing to showcase his ability and sharp finishing. Some of his goals today were unstoppable. Carrickmore had it all to do but with Shea O’Hanlon, Jamie Penrose and Cillian Gormley up for the fight they clawed back the lead and came out on top of this titanic battle.
Game 8 had Roan and Fintona clash in an end to end game. Fintona started quickly with Enda Gallen giving them the edge. Roan fought back with Flynn Hasson and Jody Jarvis winning their 1:1 battles and were able to get the scores to give Roan the win.
Game 9 had Loughmacrory and Galbally come up against one and other for the first time. Galbally started brightly and Loughmacrory had their brilliant keeper to thank for making a series of super saves. However strong Galbally pressure eventually lead to their first goal. Padraig McCrory showed us that he was able to finish of either foot and gave Galbally a lead they held on to until the final whistle. Charlie Gallagher gave Loughmacrory some hope of a comeback setting up a score for Shea Cullen after a great turn over, but Galbally were able to see the game out.
Game 10 saw the two top goalscoring teams meet as Galbally came up against Roan. The game was very tight and there was nothing between the two teams. Galbally had chances but Flynn Hasson and Jody Jarvis were proving impossible to get past. The game went score for score with Brian Mullan looking like he had done enough for Galbally to win but Roan got the final score to come out on top by the smallest of margins.
Game 11 had Beragh play Kingsisland. Daniel Conroy and Daithí Farley were super once again for their team but Kingsisland continued their impressive form with Danny O’Neills and Jonathan Blair doing enough to get the win and another 2 points.
The penultimate game had St Mary’s Ballygawley meet the inform Roan boys. Harry and Oliver Tierney impressed in the opening meetings for the Ballygawley men ably backed by Eoghan McCann. Roan played very fast direct football and after missing a few chances found their shooting boots to eventually take the lead. Sam Mackin did the damage getting the important scores to give Roan another win.
The final game would help decide who would made the semifinals. Galbally played the boys from Fintona. After being beaten by Roan the Galbally men were in determined mood to make sure they went back to winning ways. Fintona used theis size and speed to their advantage and gave a great account of themselves, but a very hungry Galbally team did enough to win the game with both teams showing immense skill and determination.
Semi-Finals
This sent us up for our two Semi-Finals. In Semi Final 1 we had; Roan v Kingsisland In Semi- Final 2 it was; Carrickmore v Galbally The first semifinal was played at a frenetic pace, with both teams trying to get the ball up to their danger men quickly. Roan took the lead with Flynn Hasson but Kingsisland grew into the game and Jonathan Blair converted the half chances that came his way. The game stayed tight into the last few minutes but Kingsisland were able to hit the last 2 scores to make them the first team into our final. Roan can look back with some pride on the performances they put in the football they played on the day was excellent.
After watching Kingsisland book their place in the final Carrickmore and Galbally we out with the hope of meeting them in the final. This was a very competitive game with both sets of boys putting their bodies on the line. There were brilliant blocks and last minute tackles being put in by both sets of players. Shea O’Hanlons and Ryan McCullagh were excellent but Galbally put in their best performances of the day with Padraig McCrory showing he had bravery to match his ability as he led Galbally to a hard earned win over a Carrickmore team gave everything they could to try and get the victory they so desperately wanted. On the final whistle it was the Galbally men who were in front and through to the final.
Indoor County Final
After a day of brilliant football we were left with a mouthwatering final - St. John’s PS Kingsisland against St. Joseph's PS Galbally. Both teams had played some great football all day and faced one more challenge to be crowned County Champions. It was a game that lived up to its billing. Both teams gave it everything with defence’s coming out on top in the opening stages. As tired legs began to show gaps opened up and both teams were able to pick off scores. It was honestly impossible to pick out individuals for either team in the final as they were all fantastic and gave everything they had. After the referee blew his final whistle history was made as Kingsisland, for the first time, became our Tyrone Cuman na mBunscol indoor County champions 2025. 🏆
Their victory means they will now represent Tír Eoghain at the Ulster Championship next week, where they will face the county champions from all over the province in the prestigious competition held at Meadowbank, Magherafelt. This is a fantastic achievement for the team and a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the competition.
Mr O’Neills and Mr McGarrity have every right to be delighted with not only the result but the attitude, behaviour and commitment their pupils put in today. It was a wonderful showcase of the talent within Tír Eoghain's primary schools and highlighted the importance of grassroots Gaelic football in nurturing young players.
As Kingsisland prepare for the Ulster Final, they can take great pride in their performance today, knowing that they have made history. We wish them and the Girls from Pomeroy good luck next week. ⚪️🔴
Check out our video and pictures from Boys Finals Day 2025. 👇
