ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL
BOYS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL Tyrone Final 2018
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain held their eagerly awaited annual Boys’ 5-a-side Indoor Football Final today, Friday 9 March, in Cookstown’s magnificent MUSA Indoor Arena. Six schools from across the county had each won their respective heats, paving the way for their Tyrone Final appearance. The big question needing answered was… Who would be crowned Tyrone Champions 2018?
The format of the day’s play was based on two sections (A & B) of three teams.
Section ‘A’ featured St. Brigid’s P.S. Altamuskin; St. Scire’s P.S. Trillick and Holy Trinity P.S. Cookstown. A high-quality section saw these teams play each other.
There was never much between the teams. Indeed, all of them played their hearts out. Ms McNulty saw her brave Altamuskin lads narrowly miss out on a semi-final berth by one point despite playing some tremendous football. Instead, Trillick qualified as Section ‘A’ Winners, with Cookstown also making the semi-finals as Section runners-up.
Section ‘B’ pitched St. Patrick’s P.S. Roan; St. Conor’s P.S. Omagh and Tummery P.S. Dromore in a high calibre group. Another closely-fought Section underlined the tightness of these groups. A gallant Tummery P.S. team, led by Master Meenagh, experienced a similar fate to Altamuskin, when they were narrowly denied a semi-final place. As the group ended, Omagh qualified as Section Runners-Up along with table-toppers, Roan.
A thrilling 5th place play-off between Tummery and Altamuskin P.S. was keenly contested by two talented teams. After an epic game of football, a cracking 2:3 to 1:06 draw meant fifth spot was shared. Great credit to both schools for being amongst the top 5 boys’ teams in Co. Tyrone this year. This is particularly remarkable when you consider the combined enrolment of these schools is less than 100!
Our semi-finalists now prepared to do battle. In the first semi, the lads from St. Conor’s P.S. just couldn’t find their stride despite their best efforts. In the end, Trillick reached the Final with 4 points to spare. In the other semi, both teams registered three scores apiece, but it was the Cookstown lads who narrowly prevailed over a hitherto undefeated Roan side (mentored by Master Grimley) on a 1:02 to 0:03 scoreline.
Before this final took place, the 3rd place play-off between Omagh and Roan saw a terrific game of football unfold. However, Roan’s narrow semi-final loss seemed to knock their confidence a little as a resurgent St. Conor’s Omagh (mentored by Masters Grugan and Logue) secure third place and silver county medals on a scoreline of 3:04 to 1:01. These two teams deserve huge credit and will, no doubt, be back in the mix again next year.
The scene was now set for our Tyrone Final between Cookstown and Trillick. Both of our finalists wanted to land the coveted County trophy. An incredible game of football ensued. The standard of goalkeeping, blocks and interceptions was of a high order. The match ebbed one way and then the other. However, by the narrowest of margins, a 2:01 to 1:02 victory for the talented boys from St. Scire’s P.S. Trillick proved just about enough to deprive Master Pickering’s battling Cookstown team on the day. It takes two teams to make a great final, and these wonderful players from Holy Trinity should be immensely proud of their endeavours. A county gold medal was just reward for their incredible efforts.
As for the victorious team, Masters King and Gallagher - and their triumphant Trillick P.S. lads - can now bask in the glory of this tremendous accomplishment. The title of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Boys’ Indoor Football Champions 2018 is thoroughly well deserved – considering they finished with a perfect win record. Precious boxed gold medals and memories will forever be cherished.
Next up for St. Scire’s is a tilt at the Boys’ Ulster Championship title next month, 17 April.
There is absolutely no reason why Trillick can’t go on and capture a Tyrone and Ulster double. After all, St. Teresa’s P.S. Loughmacrory did it as a back-to-back triumph in 2016 and 2017! Everyone associated with Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone certainly wishes them well in their quest for further glory. Ádh mór oraibh!
We were delighted that rising Tyrone star, DD Mulgrew, kindly accepted our invitation to present the medals and trophy today. Go raibh maith agat! A word of thanks to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Coaching and Games officer, Niall McQuaid, and Eddie Doris (Rúnaí & PRO) for organising this very successful competition. Ulster Officers Mickey Quinn and Pat McGivern also provided invaluable assistance throughout. Thanks, also, to Stevie McNamee, Sean McCartan, Brian McGinn and Marty Devlin for their expert refereeing throughout the various heats.
Finally, our appreciation goes to the friendly, efficient staff at MUSA.
Bring on Ulster!!!
