Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain held the third of 9 scheduled heats of the annual 5-a-side Girls’ Indoor Gaelic Football for primary schools today in Dungannon’s excellent Loughview Centre. A total of 8 local schools competed for the honour of winning this heat and, with it, a coveted place in the Tyrone County Final. The format of the day’s play saw the teams drawn into two sections. As in the previous heats, an extremely high level of skill and sporting behaviour was exhibited from all involved.
Section ‘A’ featured schools from St. Francis’ P.S. Derrylatinee and St. John’s P.S. Kingsisland. These schools battled bravely but two schools stood out in the section: St. Patrick’s P.S. Dungannon and Roan P.S. Indeed, the current Tyrone & Ulster champions from Roan St. Patrick’s P.S. Eglish, ominously topped the group in some style (a 100% record of 3 wins from 3) with Dungannon also making the semi-finals as Section ‘A’ runners-up.
Section ‘B’ proved to be a tighter group with little separating the teams. St. Mary’s P.S. Aughnacloy drew one game 4-4 and narrowly lost their other two games by a single goal. Hard luck girls. Two schools (Edendork P.S. and Moy P.S.) finished level on points and had to play extra-time to determine a qualifier. One goal from the St. John’s P.S. Moy girls proved enough to book a semi-final spot at a gallant Edendork’s expense. They would be joined in the semi’s by an impressive and unbeaten St. Mary’s P.S. Cabragh team
The two semi-finals saw the respective section winners (Roan and Cabragh) record wins against St. Patrick’s P.S. Dungannon and St. John’s P.S. Moy. However, the Dungannon and Moy girls can be very proud of their efforts throughout the day. They played a 3rd place match and honourably agreed to share third. Well done girls!
The final, between the day’s two unbeaten teams, didn’t disappoint. Ultimately, after 5 tension-filled minutes, the contest would go the way of our Tyrone & Ulster champions, Roan P.S. It wasn’t to be for Master McCreesh and his fabulous Cabragh team, but they played wonderfully all day!
The Roan girls seemed to thrive on carrying the mantle of County and Ulster Champions, and this makes securing a place in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone County Final to be held in Cookstown’s Indoor MUSA all the more impressive. We congratulate Masters Mone and Grimley and these terrifically talented girls and wish Roan P.S. well as they join the qualifying schools from previous heats held in Clonoe and Cookstown.
Our thanks to referee Sean McCartan for his expert officiating, and to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol secretary Eddie Doris for co-ordinating the day’s matches. A final word of thanks must go to Joe McAree at the wonderful Loughview Centre. He always has everything ready for us.
Bring on the Final on 13 March!
