ALLIANZ Cumann na mBunscol – BOYS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL HEAT 2: OMAGH

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol, Thír Eoghain, served up yet another top-class display when Heat 2 was held in the Station Centre, Omagh. Just as we thought Heat 1 had it all, this particular Heat – if anything – surpassed it!
Ten schools were drawn into two sections. Section ‘A’ contained the 2014 Champions, St. Patrick’s P.S. Newtownstewart; St. Patrick’s P.S. Eskra; St. Teresa’s P.S. Loughmacrory; Our Lady of Lourdes P.S. Greencastle and Gaelscoil na gCrann. The teams from Eskra, Newtownstewart and the Gaelscoil all played some fabulous football. However, together with group runners-up, a gallant Greencastle (who recorded an impressive three wins out of four), they all just missed out on a final berth. This was due to the fact that one team, a well-drilled Loughmacrory, won all four of their group games. This 100% win-record ensured that St. Teresa’s P.S. booked a deserved place in the final play-off.
Section ‘B’ comprised Christ The King P.S. Strathroy; Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh, Strabane and St. Caireall’s P.S. Aghyaran. Again, these schools produced some terrific football but, along with group runners-up: All Saints P.S. Tattysallagh (who finished with a superb win-record of three wins out of four – and ran the eventual finalists to a 2-3 reverse), ultimately missed out on a final spot. The reason for this turn of events came in the form of a formidable St. Scire’s P.S. Trillick – who emulated the Loughmacrory lads by winning all four of their group games to finish with a perfect 100% win-record of their own.
The scene was now set for our Heat Final, a mouth-watering clash between St. Scire’s P.S. Trillick and St. Teresa’s P.S. Loughmacrory. The excitement level was at fever pitch for what promised to be a classic encounter between two unbeaten teams – and we were not to be disappointed…
A 7-goal thriller ensued, with the teams level on three separate occasions in an absolute belter of a final. At 3-3, with only a minute remaining, it appeared that extra-time would be required. However, a last-gasp winner was scored to seal victory for the Loughmacrory lads and heartache for Trillick. St. Scire’s P.S. deserve huge credit for playing their part in a tremendous competition. They can be very proud of themselves. The same applies to the victors, Loughmacrory, who will have two very satisfied teachers leading their charges to the county final in Cookstown. Masters McCullagh and Gallagher are happy men tonight. We wish St. Teresa’s P.S. all the very best!
Finally, thanks to Stephen McNamee, Noel McGinn and Barry Tierney for their expert officiating as referee, and to Eddie Doris (Rúnaí: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol, Thír Eoghain) for ensuring the smooth running of this great event.