ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL – GIRLS’ INDOOR FOOTBALL Tyrone Final: OMAGH

The eagerly awaited annual Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Girls’ 5-a-side Indoor Football Tyrone Final took place today, Thursday 6th 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 question on everyone’s lips was… Who will be crowned Tyrone Champions 2014?
There was palpable excitement and a buzz of anticipation amongst players, teachers and supporters alike. The footballing prowess on show was undeniable. These girls 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’ had Gaelscoil Strabane, St Peter’s PS Moortown and St John’s PS Moy.
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 for the cause. Master Campbell saw his brave Moy girls narrowly miss out, by one point, on a semi-final berth, despite playing some tremendous football. Instead, it was Gaelscoil Strabane (with 3 points) and Moortown PS (with two points) who qualified as Section ‘A’ Group Winners and Runners-up, respectively.
Section ‘B’ pitched Our Lady of Lourdes PS Greencastle along with St Lawrence’s PS Fintona and St Mary’s PS, Cabragh, in another high calibre group. Once again, little separated the girls. This underlined the tightness of these groups. A brilliant Cabragh team, led by Master Kelly, experienced a similar fate to Moy, when just one goal was to deny them a semi-final place, due a 3-2 reverse at the hands of Fintona. Topping this particular section was Our Lady of Lourdes PS Greencastle (100% win record) with
St Lawrence’s PS Fintona, finishing as group runners-up.
A thrilling 5th place play-off between St Mary’s PS Cabragh and their counterparts from St John’s PS Moy was keenly contested by two talented teams. After an epic game of football, it was the Cabragh girls who claimed fifth spot. Great credit to them and to Moy for being amongst the top 6 girls indoor teams in Co. Tyrone this year!
Our semi-finalists now prepared to do battle. First up we had Section ‘A’ winners, Gaelscoil Strabane against Section ‘B’ runners-up, Fintona PS. We were about to witness a classic encounter. In a cagey affair, both teams displayed strong defensive qualities. The standard of goalkeeping, blocks and interceptions was of a high order.
As a result, goals were at a premium. One goal looked as if it would be decisive, and so it proved as the Strabane girls scored the only goal to book their place in the final.
As the final whistle sounded, it was heartache for the girls from Fintona, as Strabane edged a gripping match 1-0. Master McMullan’s Fintona team were a credit to themselves and their school. However, this was not to be their day. No doubt, these gifted girls will bounce back next year. This meant that Gaelscoil Strabane had reached the county final. Who would they play?
The second semi-final was between Section ‘B’ winners, Greencastle and Section ‘A’ runners-up, Moortown. In a truly attacking spectacle, we had 3 goals scored. The play flowed from end-to-end in a nail biting clash. As the final whistle sounded, it was heartache for the girls from Our Lady of Lourdes PS Greencastle, as St Peter’s PS Moortown edged a gripping match 2-1. This meant that Master Quinn’s Moortown PS had reached the county final. However, Master McGinn’s Greencastle team were a credit to themselves and their school. Indeed, this school, small in number – but not in talent – had a year to remember, as they produced teams in the boys and girls competition that each finished in the top 3 in Tyrone. That is some achievement!
The scene was now set for our Tyrone Final between Gaelscoil Strabane and St Peter’s PS Moortown The capture of this prestigious Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Girls’ Indoor Football Champions 2014 title was now there for the taking.
An incredible game of football ensued. Both of our finalists expended every ounce of energy in a huge effort the land this much sought-after trophy. A pulsating match provided two goals. The match ebbed one way and then the other. Ultimately, Niamh and Anna Quinn, as goal scoring midfielders, shone for a highly skilled Moortown team and they inspired their Lough shore team mates to a 2-0 victory.
This proved enough to deprive the battling Gaelscoil girls on the day. It takes two teams to make a great final, and these wonderful players from Strabane should be immensely proud of their endeavours in this tournament.
As for the victorious team, Master John Quinn, Mrs Martina Devlin and their triumphant Moortown girls can now bask in the glory of this tremendous accomplishment. The title of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Girls’ Indoor Football Champions 2014 is well deserved.
Next up for them is a tilt at the Ulster Championship title in Co. Derry next month.
Everyone associated with Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone certainly wishes them well in their quest for further glory. Ádh mór oraibh!
The high standard of football skills displayed today suggests that the future of Tyrone football is in very safe hands: RED HANDS!
A word of thanks to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone secretary, Niall McQuaid, and Brian McGurk (Chairman) for organising this very successful competition. Also, our thanks to Stephen McNamee, Marty Devlin & Sean McCartan for their expert refereeing throughout the various heats.
Photography on the day: Master McAnespie. Thanks Damien.
Finally, our appreciation goes to the friendly, efficient staff at Omagh Station Centre.
Pictured: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Girls’ Indoor 5’s Winners 2014
St Peter’s PS Moortown. L- R: Stephen McNamee (Referee), Mickey Quinn (Treasurer), Master John Quinn (Moortown Principal) Eddie Doris (PRO) and Martina Devlin (coach)