Heat number six of the annual Allianz Cumann na mBunscol 5-a-side Girls’ Indoor Gaelic Football for primary schools took place today in Cookstown Leisure Centre. Eight local schools competed for the honour of winning this particular heat. A tremendously high level of skill and sporting behaviour was exhibited from all the girls involved.
Day 6 of the heats, Thursday 27th February, saw the 8 schools vie for a coveted place in the Tyrone County Final. The format of the day’s play was based on two sections (A & B) of four teams respectively.
Great praise must go to the teams from Killeenan and Roan PS, as both teams battled like heroines in competition, but fell just short of qualifying in the final section ‘A’ game, despite losing only once.
They were a credit to their schools.
Section ‘A’ saw two schools go through the section unbeaten. Indeed, due to this fact, the girls from Holy Trinity PS, Cookstown and their counterparts from St Peter’s PS, Moortown had both sealed their respective places in the knock-out semi final stage.
Section ‘B’ saw two young teams from St Patrick’s PS Donaghmore and their namesakes from Dungannon compete wholeheartedly. Alas, for them, they were both denied a last four berth. However, they will both benefit from the experience and will be all the stronger next year no doubt.
St Mary’s PS Stewartstown and St Patrick’s PS, Ardboe both won their opening two fixtures. There then followed a classic contest between the teams. After a closely fought encounter, it was the Ardboe girls who topped their group with a 100% win record. Stewartstown, however, as Group ‘B’ Runners-Up were assured of their place in the semi-finals.
The semi-finals proved to be absorbing contests. The first semi-final was keenly contested. After an epic match, Mrs. Devlin saw her Moortown PS girls narrowly overcome a spirited challenge from the brave Stewartstown PS girls led by Master Reilly. The second semi-final pitched Master McKenna’s talented Cookstown team against Ardboe PS, under the guidance of Mrs. Mackle. In another pulsating game of football, the play ebbed from end-to-end. A closely fought match ended with Ardboe winning a five goal thriller 3-2. All of these semi-finalists deserve huge credit for their efforts. Maith sibh!
The scene was now set for a local derby final between St Patrick’s PS, Ardboe and their near neighbours, St Peter’s PS, Moortown. This game also lived up to all pre-match expectations. Once again, we were treated to a feast of football. In a terrific tussle between two committed teams, Ardboe took the lead – only for Moortown to find an equaliser. Extra-time was now required to find our heat winner. Moortown’s girls seemed to find an extra gear and drove on to ultimate victory after an absorbing final. Heartbreak for Ardboe, but they can be very proud of their efforts on the day.
The team from St Peter’s PS, Moortown now qualify for the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Indoor Football Girls’ Final on 6th March in Omagh. We congratulate these talented girls and wish them well as they join the other 5 qualifiers from our previous heats in their bid to be crowned Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Girls’ Indoor Football Tyrone Champions 2014.
Our thanks to Tyrone referee Marty Devlin for his expert officiating, and to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone organising secretary, Niall McQuaid and PRO, Eddie Doris, for co-ordinating the day’s matches. Thanks also to Master McCreesh for the photographs.
A final word of thanks goes to the friendly, helpful staff at Cookstown Leisure Centre.
* Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Indoor Football Girls’ Final.
The following teams have qualified:
1. CABRAGH PS
2. MOY PS
3. FINTONA PS
4. GAELSCOIL STRABANE
5. GREENCASTLE PS
6. MOORTOWN PS
What a Final lies in store…!
