ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL
GIRLS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL HEAT 6: LOUGHVIEW
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain held the last of six heats of the annual 5-a-side Girls’ Indoor Gaelic Football for primary schools today in Dungannon’s excellent Loughview Centre. A total of 8 local schools competed for the honour of winning this heat and, with it, a coveted place in the Tyrone County Final. The format of the day’s play saw the teams being drawn into two sections. As was the case in the previous heats, an extremely high level of skill and sporting behaviour was exhibited from all involved. Maith sibh go léir!
Section ‘A’ featured schools from St. Francis’ P.S. Derrylatinee and St. Mary’s P.S. Aughnacloy. These schools battled bravely but two schools stood out in the section: St. Patrick’s P.S. Aughadarragh and St. Malachy’s P.S. Glencull. Indeed, a solitary goal for Glencull proved enough for them to top the group in some style (a 100% record of 3 wins from 3) with Aughadarragh also making the semi-finals as Section ‘A’ runners-up.
Section ‘B’ contained teams from St. Mary’s P.S. Ballygawley and St. Brigid’s P.S. Altamuskin. Fair play to these girls as they really gave their all in a bid to qualify. However, as in Section ‘A’, two schools dominated proceedings: St. Patrick’s P.S. Dungannon and St. Mary’s P.S. Cabragh. They couldn’t be separated when they met (1-1) but Cabragh reached the semi’s unbeaten and Dungannon followed them there as Section ‘B’ runners-up.
The first semi-final pitched St. Malachy’s P.S. Glencull against Mrs. Nichola Campbell’s brave Dungannon team. Alas, for the St. Patrick’s girls, their opponents just nicked a 1-0 win to seal a place in the heat final.
The second semi had all the hallmarks of a potential classic – and so it proved. Mrs. Gemma Quinn’s talented girls put on a great showing before bowing out 3-1 to Cabragh in an enthralling game.
The final, in keeping with the day’s play, didn’t disappoint. Ultimately, after 5 tension-filled minutes, the contest was settled by a single goal. The referee blew the final whistle. The scoreline read 2-1. It was heartache for Master McCreesh and his fabulous Cabragh team. They played superbly!
The fact that Glencull has an enrolment of 50 pupils makes securing a place in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone County Final to be held in Cookstown’s Indoor MUSA all the more impressive. We congratulate Master Gormley and these terrifically talented girls and wish St. Malachy’s P.S. Glencull well as they join the qualifying schools from previous heats held in Clonoe, Cookstown and Omagh (3).
Our thanks to referee Sean McCartan for his expert officiating, and to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol officers Mickey Quinn and Eddie Doris for co-ordinating the day’s matches. A final word of thanks must go to Joe McAree at the wonderful Loughview Centre. Bring on the Final!
