Omagh’s Station Centre was the superb venue for the third heat of the annual Allianz Cumann na mBunscol 5-a-side Girls’ Indoor Gaelic Football for primary schools. An extremely high level of skill and sporting behaviour was exhibited from all involved.
Day 3 of the heats, Monday 24th February, saw 5 schools compete for a coveted place in the Tyrone County Final. The format of the day’s play was based on a Round-Robin series of matches. The first game set the tone for the rest of the day’s play. The girls from St Scire’s PS and St Dympna’s PS went toe-to-toe in an absorbing match. Play ebbed and flowed, and when the final whistle sounded the St Scire’s PS Trillick girls just edged past the Dromore girls in a 5-goal opener.
The second match paired the St Teresa’s from Loughmacrory PS with St Conor’s PS Omagh. Again, 5 goals were scored with the Loughmacrory girls coming out on top after a closely fought contest. Indeed, the St Teresa girls continued their rich form when they notched consecutive victories against a gallant Dromore and Trillick PS, respectively, for three wins in-a-row.
Meanwhile, another school had entered the fray in telling fashion. The girls from St Laurence’s PS Fintona also powered their way to convincing, consecutive wins for their own three in-a-row. It looked at this point, that the Fintona girls and their counterparts from Loughmacrory would be in the mix for the heat final. A late charge of back-to-back wins from the St Conor’s PS Omagh girls came just too late, unfortunately, for them. That being so, huge credit must be given to the skill levels shown by all the girls from today’s competing schools. The exhibition of fielding, defending and attacking play was of a very high order.
After 10 tremendous matches, two teams remained unbeaten and they were to play the final match of the day in a winner-takes-all clash. The level of expectation and anticipation was high. Fintona and Loughmacrory played some fantastic football and displayed great heart. A pulsating contest saw the play go from end to end. The girls could not be separated and we had a very entertaining 2-2 result at full time. The dreaded Extra Time was required. An outstanding performance from Emma Loane inspired her Fintona team to finally break the brave resistance of Loughmacrory – for whom Mairead Fox starred. Thus, it is Master McMullan’s St Laurence’s PS Fintona who qualify as heat winners and take their place in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone County Final to be held early March in Omagh.
We congratulate all of these talented Fintona girls and wish them well as they join Cabragh PS and Moy PS awaiting the qualifying schools from future heats to be held in Omagh, Cookstown and Clonoe.
Our thanks to teachers Sean O’Neill and Mickey for their expert officiating, and to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone PRO, Eddie Doris, for co-ordinating the day’s matches. Organising secretary, Niall McQuaid, and Brian McGurk (Chairman) are also acknowledged for arranging these fantastic competitions. A final word of thanks must go to Jerome and Paddy at the Omagh Station Centre.
