Allianz Ireland Cumann na mBunscol CnmB Tír Eoghain held the Coalisland/Clonoe heat of the annual 5-a-side Boys’ Indoor Gaelic Football for Tyrone primary schools today in Clonoe Community Centre.
A total of 6 local schools competed for the honour of winning this heat. The format of the day’s play saw the teams being drawn into two sections.
Section ‘A’ comprised of 3 teams – St. Brigid’s Brocagh, St John’s Kingsisland and St Patrick’s Annaghmore. Master Paul O’Neill’s Brocagh team gave their best on the day and put on some good displays, doing themselves proud in the process. Kingsisland won both of their games, defeating Annaghmore 4-2 and Brocagh 5-1, playing some exciting attacking football in the process and made it through to the Semi-finals. They were followed by Master Hanna’s Annaghmfinishys after they finished in second place.
Section ‘B’ saw Gaelscoil Uí Néill, Primate Dixon and Laghey PS drawn together.
Primate Dixon defeated Laghey in a tight match before they played out an entertaining draw against Gaelscoil Uí Néill.
Gaelscoil Uí Néill then defeated Laghey to force a play-off to decide who would win Group B. Primate Dixon came through by a single goal to top the group as winners.
Our First semi-final was a goal fest for Kingsisland, getting the early goals and sending the Gaelscoil Uí Néill lads home earlier than expected. The Gaelscoil Uí Néill boys had played a speedy attacking brand of football with Naoise Woods dominant, but things just went the way for their opponents in this local parish derby with Kingsisland finishing 6-2 winners.
In contrast, our second semi-final was a cagey affair in what was another local derby. The honours went to Primate Dixon, defeating Annaghmore by the narrowest of margins after extra time.
The Final pitched Primate Dixon against Kingsisland.
Some excellent finishing by Harry McVeigh and Cillian Rea saw the Primate Dixon boys race into an early lead. Both teams gave it everything to get the upper hand in a physical but fair game of football. After a gruelling display of attacking football, the teams could not be separated with the game finishing 5 goals each.
Into extra-time the Coalisland boys raced into another early 2 goal lead. To their credit the Kingsisland boys knuckled down and the diminutive Jonathan Blair produced 3 pieces of magic to seal victory for the Kingsisland boys.
We extend our gratitude to Martin Devlin (Referee) for his expert officiating helping ensure the successful running of this event.
Every boy deserves the highest praise for their sportsmanship and respect for each other throughout the day.
What a wonderful day’s football.
Kingsisland now go forward to represent the Coalisland/Clonoe schools in the Tyrone County finals to be held later this month in MUSA.
