ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL
Tyrone and Ulster Quiz: 2016
A great sense of anticipation and excitement was felt in our local primary schools last week, as Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain organised a series of quiz heats across the county. Having already had very successful tournaments for Indoor Camogie, Hurling, 4-Wall Handball and Gaelic Football, these heats were designed to find Tyrone’s top brain boxes.
This year we had almost 50 schools competing against each other.
The format of the quiz saw 60 points up for grabs over 10 rounds of 6.
The pupils faced questions on an array of subjects – predominantly Irish based – including: Geography; History; Sport; Music and Famous Irish Faces. A number of questions based on the school curriculum were also asked. Five of our local schools kindly agreed to act as host for the quiz competition, and they were as follows:
Primate Dixon P.S, Coalisland; St. Conor’s P.S, Omagh; Edendork P.S;
St. Colmcille’s P.S, Carrickmore and St. Mary’s P.S Ballygawley.
In order to qualify from the Tyrone heats to the Ulster Final, schools had to secure scores that would rank amongst the top five in the county (from all five heats). The level of scoring across the county was extremely high this year. The pupils showed a tremendous general knowledge about Ireland and all things Irish. Indeed, such was the extraordinary standard of correct answers, it soon became apparent that scores beyond 80% were required for teams to be successful.
As things transpired, four schools managed to produce teams who each scored 48/60. The teams who recorded this terrific total were:
St. Teresa’s P.S, Loughmacrory; St. Mary’s P.S, Cabragh; St. Conor’s P.S, Omagh. An honourable mention must go to St. Patrick’s P.S. Mullinahoe, Ardboe who, despite also scoring 48, unluckily missed out after a ballot. Meanwhile, one school scored a truly magnificent 50 points – St. Patrick’s P.S. Aughadarragh!
Therefore, we had our final Tyrone qualifiers. Taking their schools to the Ulster Final in The Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, on Monday 14 March were: Mrs. Elaine Donnelly (Loughmacrory), Master D. McAnespie (Cabragh), Master L. Grugan (Omagh) and Mrs. Gemma Quinn (Aughadarragh).
Everyone associated with Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain wished our Tyrone representatives all the very best in their dual quest for the Tyrone Shield – awarded to our county’s highest scoring team in the Ulster Quiz Final (currently held by St. Colmcille’s P.S. Carrickmore) and, of course, the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Ulster Primary School Quiz Title 2016. Alas, an Ulster title proved elusive, but it was the Loughmacrory team from St. Teresa’s P.S. who emerged from Donegal as the top scoring Tyrone school. This result saw them deservedly win the prestigious ‘Tyrone Shield’ 2016. Donegal football star Michael Murphy made the occasion a memorable one by making presentations on the day. This quiz success, following on the back of last week’s capture of the Boys’ Indoor Football county title, crowns off a sensational week for St. Teresa’s. Maith sibh go léir!
