Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tír Eoghain held their eagerly awaited showcase event of 2017 when the ‘Outdoor County Football Finals’ took place on Wednesday 14 June in the magnificent grounds of the Garvaghey complex. The weather was kind, thankfully, for the 20+ school teams from across Tyrone who had qualified from their respective sections for this highlight day in the Primary School sporting calendar. A total of 5 prestigious county titles were up for grabs.
Once again, as we had witnessed throughout the season, the level of skill displayed by our pupils was of the highest quality. This is testament to the sterling work being done in our Tyrone Primary Schools by teachers – working in conjunction with club and Co. Board coaches. Maith sibh go léir!
Smiles, coupled with graciousness and good-manners, were evident when the prize-giving ceremony took place at the end of each of our competitions.
The successful schools on the day were as follows:
IGGY JONES CUP: Tummery P.S.
Runners-Up: St. Mary’s P.S. Gortin
THADDY TURBITT CUP: St. Scires’ P.S. Trillick
Runners-Up: B.P.O.L. P.S. Castlecaulfield
CUMANN NA mBUNSCOL CUP: St. Teresa’s P.S. Loughmacrory
Runners-Up: St. Mary’s P.S. Dunamore
LADIES’ SHIELD: St. Dympna’s P.S. Dromore
Runners-Up: St. Joseph’s P.S. Galbally
ALLIANZ CUP: St. Joseph’s P.S. Galbally
Runners-Up: St. Patrick’s P.S. Ardboe
Well done to newly-appointed Headmaster Hugh Meenagh for guiding his Tummery pupils to a well-deserved defence of the Iggy Jones’ Cup – won last year under the guidance of former principal Sean Maguire. Trillick completed a tremendous 3 in-a-row success with their Thaddy Turbitt Cup victory under the tutelage of Masters Iggy Gallagher and Brendan Kane. A great achievement! Dromore girls (managed by Master Sean O’Neill) captured the coveted Ladies’ Shield in a tough 6-school competition; a well-deserved triumph! Loughmacrory boys completed a remarkable treble of Tyrone and Ulster ‘Indoor’ football titles followed by today’s outdoor success in capturing back-to-back Cumann na mBunscol crowns – what an accomplishment! Once again, the ‘Lough’ lads were mentored by Masters Mark McCullagh and Mickey Gallagher. Congratulations also to Masters Sean Quinn and Joey Kelly whose Galbally team captured the larger schools Allianz Cup. Fair play to you all on your success.
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tír Eoghain wishes to thank a number of people for their assistance throughout the year:
Our Tyrone Co. Board for their ongoing support. We thank Anne Daly and Benny Hurl (Coaching & Games Committee) for their invaluable input into our association, especially as they arranged to have the Tyrone U17 trophy on display throughout the day. The children loved it!
Tyrone PRO, Eunan Lindsay; Teamtalk website operatives (Noel, Damian and Kevin) and local newspaper editors do great work in helping promote our activities throughout the year. We are indebted to you for your kindness.
The staff of Garvaghey: Orla O’Neill and Mickey McGoldrick are thanked for their considerable help on the day. Master Joe Canavan did a fantastic job taking team photographs all day.
A word of gratitude to our county referees Sean McCartan, Marty Devlin and Stephen McNamee for their expert officiating. Special thanks to our county’s teachers and principals for supporting our games throughout the year and, of course, to the stars of the show – our girls and boys who participated so willingly and demonstrated such tremendous skill levels.
A final word of thanks is reserved for the officers and committee of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tír Eoghain: Brian McGurk (Chairman); Eddie Doris (Rúnaí & PRO); Niall McQuaid (Coaching & Games); Mickey Quinn (Treasurer) and Pat McGivern (Ulster Chairperson).
Lastly, none of this would be possible without the generous, ongoing sponsorship of Allianz. We really appreciate your continued support of our national games at grassroots level.
Therefore, after next week’s Tyrone Cup (4 biggest Tyrone schools), a very successful 2017 series of indoor & outdoor games and competitions will have come to an end, and we look forward to a well-earned summer break.
Ádh mór agus go raibh maith agaibh.
Tír Eoghain abú!
