ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL – BOYS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL Tyrone Final 2015

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain held their eagerly awaited annual Boys’ 5-a-side Indoor Football Final today, Tuesday 3 March, in Omagh’s magnificent Station Centre. Six schools from across the county had each won their respective heats, paving the way for their Tyrone Final appearance. The big question needing answered was… Who will be crowned Tyrone Champions 2015?
There was palpable excitement and a buzz of anticipation amongst players, teachers and supporters alike. The footballing prowess on show was undeniable. These boys were to give us a Tyrone Final Day to live long in the memory.
The format of the day’s play was based on two sections (A & B) of three teams.
Section ‘A’ featured Holy Family PS, Omagh; Primate Dixon PS, Coalisland, and Holy Trinity PS, Cookstown. A high quality section saw these teams play each other.
There was never much between the teams. Indeed, all of them played their hearts out. Master McQuaid saw his brave Coalisland lads narrowly miss out on a semi-final berth, despite playing some tremendous football. Instead, it was Holy Family PS, Omagh and Holy Trinity PS, Cookstown (won both matches) who qualified as Section ‘A’ Runners-up and Group Winners, respectively.
Section ‘B’ pitched St. Patrick’s PS Roan, Eglish alongside St. Mary’s PS, Killyclogher, and St. Columbkille’s PS, Carrickmore, in another high calibre group.
Another closely-fought Section underlined the tightness of these groups. A brilliant St. Patrick’s PS Roan team, led by Master McCreesh, experienced a similar fate to Coalisland, when they were narrowly denied a semi-final place. Qualifying as Section Runners-Up was Killyclogher along with table-toppers, Carrickmore.
A thrilling 5th place play-off between Primate Dixon PS, Coalisland, and St. Patrick’s PS, Roan, was keenly contested by two talented teams. After an epic game of football, it was the Eglish lads who claimed fifth spot. Great credit to them and to Coalisland for being amongst the top 6 boys’ teams in Co. Tyrone this year!
Our semi-finalists now prepared to do battle. First up we had Section ‘A’ winners, Holy Trinity PS, Cookstown, against Section ‘B’ runners-up, St. Mary’s PS, Killyclogher. We were about to witness a classic encounter. In a truly attacking spectacle, we had 7 goals scored. The play flowed from end-to-end. As the final whistle sounded, it was heartache for the boys from Killyclogher, as the lads from Cookstown edged a gripping match 4:3. Tyrone legend Master Stephen O’ Neill’s Killyclogher team collected Tyrone County silver medals for a high creditable 3rd placed finish. The boys were a credit to themselves and their school. However, this was not to be their day. No doubt these gifted boys will bounce back next year. This meant that Master Pickering’s Holy Trinity Primary School had reached the county final. Who would they play?
The second semi-final was between Section ‘B’ winners, Carrickmore and Section ‘A’ runners-up, Holy Family PS, Omagh. In a cagey affair, both teams displayed strong defensive qualities. That said it was no less absorbing. The standard of goalkeeping, blocks and interceptions was of a high order. As a result, goals were always going to be at a premium. As it transpired, a 2-0 win for the Carmen lads secured their place in the final. Hard luck to a battling Holy Family PS team – without question, they will be back stronger next year.
The scene was now set for our Tyrone Final. The capture of this prestigious Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Boys’ Indoor Football Champions 2015 title was now up for grabs. In a strange quirk of circumstances, we had two top Tyrone figures managing the teams in the final. St. Columbkille’s PS, Carrickmore, was led by Tyrone senior star Mark Donnelly, whilst their opponents were led by former All-Ireland Minor winning captain, Ryan Pickering. Which of these well-known stars would emerge triumphant?
Both of our finalists used every ounce of energy in a huge effort the land the trophy. An incredible game of football ensued with a pulsating match providing three goals. The match ebbed one way and then the other. However, by the narrowest of margins, a 2-1 victory for the talented boys from Cookstown proved enough to deprive the battling Carmen team on the day. It takes two teams to make a great final, and these wonderful players from Carrickmore should be immensely proud of their endeavours.
As for the victorious team, Master Pickering, Miss Walls and their triumphant Holy Trinity PS lads can now bask in the glory of this tremendous accomplishment.
The title of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Boys’ Indoor Football Champions 2015 is thoroughly well deserved. Rumour has it that Master Tony Devlin (Principal HTPS) has declared no homework for a fortnight! Hmmm…
Next up for them is a tilt at the Boys’ Ulster Championship title next month.
There is absolutely no reason why Holy Trinity PS can’t emulate the achievements of Sacred Heart PS, Rock (2013) in annexing the Tyrone and Ulster double.
Everyone associated with Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone certainly wishes them well in their quest for further glory. Ádh mór oraibh!
We were delighted that the newly-appointed Tyrone Chairperson, Roisin Jordan, kindly accepted our invitation to present the medals and trophy today. Go raibh maith agat! A word of thanks to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Director of Games, Niall McQuaid, Brian McGurk (Chairman) and Eddie Doris (Rúnaí & PRO) for organising this very successful competition. Ulster Officers Mickey Quinn and Pat McGivern also provided invaluable assistance throughout. Thanks, also, to Stevie McNamee, Marty Devlin & Sean McCartan for their expert refereeing throughout the various heats.
Finally, our appreciation goes to the friendly, efficient staff at Omagh Station Centre.