ALLIANZ Cumann na mBunscol
BOYS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL HEAT 4: OMAGH
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain held Heat 4 of its annual Boys’ Indoor Football competition in Omagh’s Station Centre on Friday 2 February. Seven schools competed in another action-packed day of tremendous football, providing thrills and spills aplenty.
Teachers helped draw the teams into two groups of 4 and 3, respectively. Section ‘A’ featured St. Dympna’s P.S. Dromore; Holy Family P.S. Omagh; St. Colmcille’s P.S. Carrickmore and St. Mary’s P.S. Strabane. The lads from Strabane and Holy Family P.S. fought valiantly but they just missed out on progression despite their worthy efforts. Instead, Carrickmore topped the section on scoring difference from Dromore. Both of these unbeaten schools deservedly secured a semi-final place.
Section ‘B’ comprised St. Catherine’s P.S. Strabane; Our Lady of Lourdes P.S. Greencastle and St. Conor’s P.S. Omagh. The latter topped the section with a perfect 2 wins from 2, and they were joined in the semi-finals by group runners-up: Greencastle. St. Catherine’s P.S. played very well, but just came up short on the day.
The scene was now set for the semi-finals. The Runners-Up from each Section (St. Dympna’s P.S. Dromore and Our Lady of Lourdes P.S. Greencastle) had it all to do against the Section winners. Indeed, both schools deserve enormous credit for their battling qualities. However, they came up against two top sides in the form of Carrickmore and Omagh St. Conor’s who would, ultimately, progress to the Heat final in impressive fashion.
Therefore, our final saw the last two unbeaten teams lock horns. It was always going to be a nerve-filled occasion, and so it proved. The hitherto undefeated Carmen lads, managed by Master Mark Donnelly, gave their all, but a two-goal salvo from St. Conor’s P.S. Omagh saw them emerge victorious on a narrow 2-1 scoreline. It was heartache for the gallant St. Colmcille’s, but jubilation for Omagh and their mentors: Masters Liam Grugan and Paul Logue. They now advance to the Tyrone Finals next month, to be held in Cookstown’s M.U.S.A. Indoor Arena on 1 March. We wish them well. Ádh mór oraibh!
Finally, thanks to Stephen McNamee for his expert officiating as referee, and to Pat McGivern and Eddie Doris (Allianz Cumann na mBunscol, Thír Eoghain) for co-ordinating this great event. Our thanks, also, to the staff from the Station Centre for their hospitality over the past few days.
Go raibh maith agaibh!
