ALLIANZ Cumann na mBunscol
BOYS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL HEAT 1: Cookstown
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain held the first Heat of its annual Boys’ Indoor Football competition in Cookstown Leisure Centre on Tuesday 30 January. Nine schools competed in an action-packed day of tremendous football, providing thrills and spills aplenty. What a busy day it was…
Teams were drawn into two groups. Section ‘A’ featured 5 schools: St. Mary’s P.S. Stewartstown; St. Patrick’s P.S. Mullinahoe, Ardboe; Sacred Heart P.S. Rock; St. Mary’s P.S. Pomeroy and Holy Trinity P.S. Cookstown. These five school teams gave their all in a bid to qualify for the heat final but, despite playing great stuff, Stewartstown, Pomeroy and Rock didn’t quite make it on this occasion. Two schools were left to battle it out for a coveted semi-final berth: St. Patrick’s P.S. Mullinahoe, Ardboe, and H.T.P.S. Cookstown. It was the latter who topped the group recording 4 wins from 4, with Ardboe in second place after recording 3 wins. Semi’s guaranteed.
Section ‘B’ had 4 teams, comprising St. Joseph’s P.S. Killeenan; Gaelscoil Eoghain, An Chorra Chríochach; St. Mary’s P.S. Dunamore, and St. Joseph’s P.S. Galbally. Again, these teams displayed plenty of zest in battle. Honourable mentions to debutants Gaelscoil Eoghain (Maith sibh) and to Dunamore, but the team from Galbally eased through the group with a perfect 100% win-record and Killeenan joined them as group runners-up.
The scene was now set for our semi-finals and plenty of anticipation. However, what unfolded was two power-packed performances from the respective Section winners, Holy Trinity Cookstown and Joseph’s P.S. Galbally. Both schools registered 4-1 victories over gallant teams from Killeenan and Ardboe.
The final pitched former Tyrone Minor winning captain, Ryan Pickering, against former Championship winner, Sean Quinn, managing Cookstown and Galbally, respectively. Fittingly, this was a drama-packed affair between the still unbeaten two schools. Despite a last-gasp goal, it was heartache for Galbally, but they did themselves and their school proud on the day – well done, lads! Holy Trinity P.S. Cookstown, on the other hand with a tight 2-1 win, book themselves a place in the Tyrone Indoor Co. Final to be held in MUSA Indoor Arena on Thursday 1 March. We wish them well. Ádh mór oraibh!
A huge word of thanks goes to our referee Marty Devlin, Stewartstown, and Eddie Doris (Rúnaí Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain), Adrian Breen, Conall Lavery and Joe Canavan for their valued input in helping ensure the success of this heat. Finally, thanks to our special guests - county stars Kevin O’ Boyle and Mark Bradley - who made a welcome guest appearance.
Go raibh maith agaibh!
