ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL
GIRLS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL HEAT 3: Omagh
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain today held the third heat of six scheduled heats of the annual 5-a-side Girls’ Indoor Gaelic Football for Tyrone primary schools in Omagh’s Station Centre. A total of 8 schools competed for the honour of winning this particular heat. The format of the day’s play saw the 8 team captains select a number to draw their schools into one of two sections. As was the case in the previous two heats, an extremely high level of skill and sporting behaviour was exhibited from all involved.
Section ‘A’ contained teams from St. Mary’s P.S. Killyclogher and St. Catherine’s P.S. Strabane. Both teams played their hearts out before falling just short of qualifying. Meanwhile, a powerful St. Dympna’s P.S. Dromore side romped to three consecutive wins to top the group and seal a semi-final place. They were followed into the semi-finals by St. Mary’s P.S. Strabane in second.
Section ‘B’ comprised teams from Our Lady of Lourdes P.S. Greencastle and St. Colmcille’s P.S. Carrickmore. Despite both schools playing some terrific football, their efforts would ultimately go unrewarded. This was due in no small part to the endeavours of St. Conor’s P.S. Omagh who topped their section with 2 wins and a draw. St. Patrick’s P.S. Castlederg amassed 4 points, unbeaten with 2 draws and a win, to also seal a semi-final spot.
The semi-finals, whilst keenly contested, went the way of the respective Section winners. St. Dympna’s P.S. squeezed-out a narrow 2-1 win over a brave Castlederg challenge, whilst St. Conor’s P.S. Omagh proved just too strong for a gallant St. Mary’s P.S. Strabane with a 3-1 result.
The final between Omagh and Dromore was eagerly anticipated, as both schools were unbeaten thus far. The tension increased as a coin toss win meant St. Dympna’s got to play the Heat Final in their school strip. The Omagh girls wore fluorescent bibs. Having had a brilliant tournament, the Dromore team just ran into an inspired St. Conor’s side. Therefore, on this occasion, St. Dympna’s were to be denied. Never-the-less, well played girls – a team worth watching come the outdoor leagues, no doubt!
Masters Grugan and Logue, meanwhile, were delighted as their Omagh girls clinched victory and, more importantly, a place in the Co. Final next week in Cookstown’s Indoor MUSA. It will be a double celebration as the St. Conor’s lads are also in the Boys’ Co. Final. We congratulate these talented girls and wish them well as they await the qualifying schools from the other heats.
Our sincere thanks to referee Brian McGinn 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 the friendly staff at the Station Centre for their hospitality all week.
That’s half of the six county final berths safely filled – bring on the final three…
