ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL – GIRLS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL HEAT 1: LOUGHVIEW

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thir Eoghain held the first of six heats of the annual 5-a-side Girls’ Indoor Gaelic Football for primary schools today in Dungannon’s excellent Loughview Centre. Due to circumstances beyond their control, a small number of school sent apologies for being unable to attend on the day. Regardless, the competition continued with five local schools competing for the honour of winning this particular heat. An extremely high level of skill and sporting behaviour was exhibited from all involved.
Day 1 of the heats, Monday 22 February, saw the 5 schools compete for a coveted place in the Tyrone County Final. The format of the day’s play was revised to form a Round-Robin series of matches.
The first game set the tone for the rest of the day’s play. The girls from St. Brigid’s P.S. Altamuskin and St. Patrick’s P.S. Roan, went toe-to-toe in an absorbing match. Play ebbed and flowed, and when the final whistle sounded it was the Eglish girls who narrowly prevailed on a 2-1 scoreline. A series of closely contested matches followed, enabling the girls from St. Mary’s P.S. Ballygawley; St. Patrick’s P.S. Aughadarragh and St. Malachy’s P.S. Glencull to showcase their vast array of skills.
The match between St Mary’s P.S. Ballygawley and St. Patrick’s P.S. Aughadarragh produced the day’s highest scoring encounter. Goals flew in from all angles as both teams went on the attack. Ultimately, it was the Ballygawley girls who finally carved out a 4-2 victory. Another exciting game pitched St. Malachy’s P.S. Glencull with St. Brigid’s P.S. Altamuskin. An interesting sub-plot here was the battle of the respective school principals: Mr & Mrs Gormley. A 5-goal thriller ensued… However, on a 3-2 scoreline, the bragging rights belonged to Master Gormley – but just about!
The girls from the 5 schools were serving up a footballing treat for us. Tremendous coaching is very evident – testament to the great work being carried out by school staff in collaboration with local clubs and the county’s coaches. Tribute must be paid to them all. Maith sibh go léir!
Master Cullen can consider his St. Mary’s Ballygawley girls unlucky as, despite registering two wins, they missed out by just 2 points on qualifying. Two schools, however, had each impressively recorded 100% win records (3 wins from 3): St. Patrick’s P.S. Roan, Eglish and St. Malachy’s P.S. Glencull. Something had to give as the day’s final match saw both teams engage in battle. This game had all the hallmarks of a potential classic – and so it proved…
In keeping with the day’s play, this match didn’t disappoint. A pulsating contest saw the play go from end-to-end. A full-on display of tenacious tackling and gritty determination, coupled with enormous skill levels, meant the girls could not be separated and we had a very entertaining 1-1 result at full time. This, of course, meant that extra-time was required. Could the spoils be snatched in overtime? No, was the answer – we had deadlock AET! As if nerves weren’t frayed enough, we were set for ‘Golden Goal’ – or next goal wins! Sportingly, both teams shook hands before this decisive period commenced. Alas for brave Glencull, a wonderfully executed goal from Oilibhia Farley proved decisive in securing Roan’s place in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone County Final to be held early March in Cookstown MUSA.
We congratulate all of these talented girls and wish St. Patrick’s P.S. Roan, Eglish, well as they await the qualifying schools from future heats to be held in Dungannon, Cookstown and Omagh.
Our thanks to referee Brian McGinn for his expert officiating, and to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone officers, Eddie Doris and Mickey Quinn, for co-ordinating the day’s matches. A final word of thanks must go to Joe McAree at the Loughview Centre.