ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL – GIRLS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL HEAT 3: Omagh

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thir Eoghain today held the third of six scheduled heats of the annual 5-a-side Girls’ Indoor Gaelic Football for Tyrone primary schools in Omagh’s superb Station Centre. A total of 6 schools competed for the honour of winning this particular heat. The format of the day’s play saw the teams being drawn into two sections. As was the case in the first two heats, an extremely high level of skill and sporting behaviour was exhibited from all involved.
The Section ‘A’ draw saw teams from Our Lady of Lourdes P.S. Greencastle; St. Patrick’s P.S. Donaghmore and St. Joseph’s P.S. Galbally meet each other in a tightly-contested group. The Greencastle girls gave their all in the opening match before succumbing to Galbally 2-1. In their next game, Master McGinn’s Greencastle girls drew 1-1 with the Master Peter Harte led Donaghmore. Greencastle, ultimately, lost out by only one point in their bid to reach the next stage. Hard luck, girls – but a great effort nonetheless. Galbally and Donaghmore also played out an entertaining 1-1 draw, meaning that Master Joey Kelly’s St. Joseph’s P.S. Galbally topped the section with neighbours St. Patrick’s P.S. Donaghmore also safely into the semi-finals as runners-up.
Meanwhile, in Section ‘B’, an extremely determined Sacred Heart P.S. Tattyreagh – under the charge of Master Kelly – put in a couple of enthusiastic displays but, despite their tremendous efforts, just fell short of qualifying for the heat final. Instead, St. Matthew’s P.S. Garvaghey (managed by Eamon McCaffrey) and St. Patrick’s P.S. Gortin (mentored by Master Brogan) each won their opening group game to set up a group deciding match which the Gortin girls won to top the section. Garvaghey also reached the semi-finals as section runners-up.
Before the semi-finals took place, we had the 5th place play-off between Sacred Heart P.S. Tattyreagh and Our Lady of Lourdes P.S. Greencastle. This was an absolute ding-dong of a game that produced plenty of thrills and spills. Attack was the order of the day as goals rattled in. We witnessed a 5-goal epic, with the Greencastle girls taking the honours on a 3-2 scoreline. Both schools deserve great credit for the part they played in today’s tournament. Well done!
The semi-finals were a privilege to watch, as the quality and skills of these girls shone through. First up, Galbally and Garvaghey took to the pitch. St. Matthew’s P.S. Garvaghey made all the early running, and they were rewarded by taking a deserved 1-0 lead. Their joy was short-lived, however, as Galbally hit back with the equaliser. With thirty seconds left on the clock, there was to be a decisive third goal yet to come. Who would get it, though? The killer blow was scored by Galbally thus securing a place in the heat final. However, St. Matthew’s P.S. Garvaghey – one of the county’s smallest schools – can be very proud of what they achieved today. It was a sensational effort!
The second semi-final, between Gortin and Donaghmore, was a closely-contested affair, but equally as enthralling. Some superb tackling and blocking was displayed by both teams, and it was apparent this game could be decided by one goal. This, indeed, proved to be the case. That elusive goal was scored by St. Patrick’s P.S. Gortin, resulting in heartbreak for their namesakes from Donaghmore. Nevertheless, the young Donaghmore girls can feel justifiably proud of their efforts on the day.
The heat final, therefore, would be contested by Gortin and Galbally. Both teams had been unbeaten thus far. There was a feeling that this match could go into extra-time, and that was exactly what happened after the game finished 1-1 after normal time. A period of extra-time would provide us with our winner. Galbally upped the ante by hitting a further two goals, but Gortin wouldn’t yield and scored to make it 3-2. A third Gortin would take the tie to ‘Golden Goal’ but, try as they did, they couldn’t quite manage to find the equaliser despite their valiant efforts. The referee sounded the final whistle signalling that St. Joseph’s P.S. Galbally had won the day. St. Patrick’s P.S. Gortin had given it everything and Master Brogan couldn’t have asked anymore from his talented team. Well played, girls – a team for the future, no doubt!
Master Kelly was delighted as his Galbally girls clinched a 3-2 victory and, more importantly, a place in the county final next month in Cookstown’s MUSA. Comhghairdeas agus maith sibh go léir! We congratulate all of these talented girls and wish St. Joseph’s well as they join Eglish and Gaelscoil Uí Neill, Clonoe in awaiting the qualifying schools from future heats to be held in Cookstown and Omagh.
Our sincere thanks to referee Stevie McNamee for his expert officiating, and to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Rúnaí, Eddie Doris, for co-ordinating the day’s matches. A final word of thanks must go to the friendly staff at the Station Centre.
That’s three of the six county final berths safely filled – bring on the next three!