ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL
GIRLS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL HEAT 8: Omagh
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thir Eoghain held the penultimate heat of the annual 5-a-side Girls’ Indoor Gaelic Football for Tyrone primary schools in Omagh’s superb Station Centre. A total of 8 schools competed for the honour of winning this heat. The format of the day’s play saw schools drawn in to 2 sections of 4. As was the case in previous heats, a high level of skill and sporting behaviour was exhibited from all participants.
Section ‘A’ comprised St. Lawrence’s P.S. Fintona; St. Patrick’s P.S. Newtownstewart; Omagh Integrated P.S. and St. Scire’s P.S. Trillick. It was a very tightly contested group with little separating the teams. The Trillick and Newtownstewart girls battled bravely but, despite playing great stuff, a play-off saw them fall just short of qualifying for the semi’s. Instead, Omagh won the Section with a 100% win record whilst the Fintona girls qualified as runners-up.
Section ‘B’ contained St. Ronan’s P.S. Recarson; Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh An Srath Bán; Our Lady of Lourdes P.S. Greencastle and St. Colmcille’s P.S. Carrickmore. Once again, this proved a tricky group to qualify from. However, despite giving of their best all day, the girls from Greencastle and Gaelscoil didn’t quite make it out of the group, having no luck in the play-offs. Topping the section was Recarson with 3 wins from 3. As runners-up, Carrickmore also made the semi’s.
The first semi-final between Omagh Integrated P.S. and Carrickmore promised much, and this certainly was the case. Goals flew in as the match ended 3-3 after normal time. Extra-time was required, and it was here where Carmen scored the winning goals to book their place in the Heat Final (5-4). The Omagh girls can be very proud after having a brilliant tournament.
The second semi-final also produced a goal-fest. After six goals being scored, it was Fintona who prevailed 4-2 over a gallant Recarson side. Fair play to the Recarson girls – you were a class act.
It was no surprise that we had a cracking final between St. Colmcille’s P.S. Carrickmore and St. Lawrence’s P.S. Fintona. Yes, you guessed it, the game went to extra-time after a 2-2 draw in normal time. Somehow Carmen found an extra gear to triumph 5-2. However, great credit to Master McMullan’s talented Fintona girls. They played superbly – very well done!
Master Emmet O’ Neill, meanwhile, was delighted as his Carrickmore girls matched their boys in clinching a place in the county final in Cookstown’s MUSA Indoor Arena on Thursday 12 March.
Our sincere thanks to referee Brian McGinn for his expert officiating, and to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone and Ulster officer Patrick McGivern for coordinating the day’s matches. A final word of thanks must go to the friendly staff at the Station Centre.
That’s eight of the nine county final berths safely filled – bring on the last heat!
