Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain held the fourth Heat of its annual Boys’ Indoor Football competition in Cookstown Leisure Centre on Thursday 4 February. Eleven schools competed in another action-packed day of tremendous football, providing thrills and spills aplenty. What a busy day it was…
Teams were drawn into two groups of 5 and 6 respectively. Section ‘A’ featured St. Mary’s P.S. Pomeroy; St. Joseph’s P.S. Killeenan; St. Peter’s P.S. Moortown and our 2015 defending Co. Champions: Holy Trinity P.S. Cookstown. These four school teams gave their all in a bid to qualify for the heat final but, alas for them, didn’t quite make it on this occasion. Two schools were to battle it out for the coveted final berth – St. Patrick’s P.S. Mullinahoe, Ardboe and St. Joseph’s P.S. Galbally. Both teams were unbeaten as they met in a winner-takes-all clash. It was always going to prove difficult to call and, as things transpired, it was a case of hard luck for Master Lavery and his brave Ardboe team as they fell to a strong Galbally side, managed by Master Joey Kelly. Thus, St. Joseph’s P.S. Galbally had maintained their 100% win-record (5 wins from 5) and had booked their place in the Heat 4 final.
Section ‘B’ comprised Sacred Heart P.S. Rock; Laghey P.S; St. Mary’s P.S. Stewartstown and St. Mary’s P.S. Dunamore. Again, these teams displayed plenty of zest as they endeavoured to join Galbally in the final. Honourable mentions to Stewartstown and Dunamore – both recording a couple of wins – but, the team from St. Patrick’s P.S. Donaghmore eased through the group with a perfect 100% win-record of their own (4 wins from 4) and, impressively, were yet to concede a goal on their march to the final.
The scene was now set for what promised to be a titanic battle between the near-neighbours and parish rivals from Donaghmore and Galbally. It had all the ingredients of a cracking tie – and so it proved. St. Patrick’s hit the opening score only to be pegged back by St. Joseph’s. At 1-1, the match was very much in the melting pot. The next goal would prove crucial, and that’s how it panned out. Crucially, Donaghmore – managed by Master Peter Harte – hit a brace of quick-fire goals to seal a 3-1 triumph. It was heartache for Galbally but they did themselves and their school proud on the day – well done, lads! Donaghmore, on the other hand, book themselves a place in the Tyrone Indoor Co. Final to be held in MUSA on Thursday 3 March. We wish them well. Ádh mór oraibh!
A huge word of thanks goes to our referee Marty Devlin, Stewartstown, Ronan Devlin (Games Promotion Officer: Mid-Ulster Council) and Eddie Doris (Rúnaí Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Thír Eoghain) for their valued input in helping ensure the success of this heat. Go raibh maith agaibh!
4 of our 6 finalists are now known: Carrickmore; Loughmacrory; Holy Family, Omagh and Donaghmore. Exciting times lie ahead for these schools…
