ALLIANZ CUMANN Na mBUNSCOL Girls Indoor final

Amidst much excitement, Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain held their annual Girls’ 5-a-side Indoor Football Tyrone Final today, Thursday 15 March, in Cookstown’s superb MUSA Indoor Arena. Six schools from across the county had each won their respective heats, paving the way for their Tyrone Final appearance.

The day’s play took the format of two sections of three schools each.

            Section ‘A’ contained St. Ronan’s P.S. Recarson; Holy Family P.S. Omagh, and St. Patrick’s P.S. Roan, Eglish. The young Recarson girls tried their hearts out, and didn’t lack for skill and effort but, despite their endeavours, they missed-out on progressing from the section. Roan P.S. recorded two wins to top the group with Holy Family P.S. also securing their semi-final berth as section Runner-Up.

            Section ‘B’ featured three more classy teams in the shape of St. Malachy’s P.S. Glencull; St. Conor’s P.S. Omagh, and St. Peter’s P.S. Moortown. Glencull P.S. bagged some fine scores before bravely bowing out from the section.

Ultimately, the St. Ronan’s team and St. Malachy’s P.S. finished joint fifth. This is no mean achievement – to be ranked in the county’s top 5 – considering we have over 70 affiliated primary schools in Tyrone. Maith sibh!

Meanwhile, St. Conor’s P.S. girls secured top spot in the section ahead of St. Peter’s P.S. Moortown. Both schools, therefore progressed to the semi-finals.

            In the first semi, Roan took on Moortown in a tightly-contested match. However, with things in the balance, the Eglish girls pulled away in the final couple of minutes to book a place in the final (3:02 to 1:01).

Our second semi-final saw an Omagh derby as St. Conor’s and Holy Family met. A cagey affair saw the goalies excel to keep the goals out as St. Conor’s P.S. reached the day’s final on 0:03 to 0:01 scoreline.

Moortown and Holy Family met for third place and a county medal. There wasn’t much between the sides, but a brace of Holy Family points helped Fermanagh star Master D. McGuckin’s girls win silver county medals (1:02 to 1:01). Both schools played some great stuff and they can consider themselves ranked in the county’s top 4 schools for girls’ football. Wow!

            The final was eagerly awaited as it featured the two schools who had gone unbeaten thus far: St. Conor’s and Roan. It was nip-and-tuck the whole way with just a single point seeing-off Master Grugan and Master Logue’s brave Omagh effort. The talented St. Conor’s girls received gold county medals as worthy runners-up.

As for the victors, Master Grimley and his triumphant Roan girls can now savour the glory of this tremendous accomplishment. The title of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Girls’ Indoor Football Champions 2018 and boxed commemorative medals are well deserved.

Next up for them is a tilt at the Ulster Championship title on 17 April in Meadowbank, Magherafelt. Everyone associated with Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain certainly wishes them well in their quest for further glory. Ádh mór oraibh!

A word of thanks to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone committee, and Secretary & PRO Eddie Doris for organising this very successful competition. Ulster Officers Mickey Quinn and Pat McGivern both provided invaluable assistance throughout. Well done to Tyrone and Killeeshil LGFA senior player Emma Mulgrew who conducted today’s medal and trophy presentation. Our thanks, also, to Brian McGinn, Stephen McNamee, Marty Devlin & Sean McCartan for their expert refereeing throughout the various heats. Finally, our appreciation goes to the friendly, efficient staff at MUSA.

Next up, the Ulster Final…