Another heat of the annual Cumann na mBunscol 5-a-side Girls’ Indoor Gaelic Football competition for primary schools was held today in Omagh Leisure Complex. The competition got underway with six local schools competing for the honour of winning this heat:
- Knocknagor PS, Trillick
- Roscavey PS, Beragh
- Sacred Heart PS, Tattyreagh
- St Oliver Plunkett PS, Beragh
- St Patrick’s PS, Gortin
- Tummery PS, Dromore
All the schools had arrived to do battle and there could be only one winner. On a morning when goalkeepers reigned supreme, an extremely high level of skill and sporting behaviour was exhibited from all involved. The six schools competed for a coveted place in the Tyrone County Final and the format of the day’s play was 2 sections, where the top 2 in each section would make the semi-finals.
The first game set the tone for the rest of the day’s play, with a Shona Teague inspired Beragh side powering their way over a gallant Knocknogor, for whom Bella McCaffrey tried really hard. The second game in Round 1 saw a lively Tierna O’Neill help Tummery gain a win over a Gortin side, for whom Cliodhna Daly was outstanding in goals.
The opening game in Round 2 saw Beragh overcome old rivals Tattyreagh, despite the energetic Roisin McKenna’s best efforts for the ‘Tatts.’ Roscavey, inspired by Erin McCrory at mid-field, laid down a strong marker in the competition when they defeated Gortin, for whom Eimear McCrory was outstanding in defence.
Round 3 opened with a real ‘ding-dong’ battle between Tattyreagh and Knocknagor. Whilst Tattreagh won they game, they have their goalkeeper Millie McDaid to thank as she pulled off some fantastic saves to keep the Sacred Heart team in the game. Interestingly, Knocknagor’s outstanding player was also their goalkeeper – Bella Dunne who tried her very best to limit the opposition’s scoring threat. Round 3 concluded with a very competitive game between Roscavey and Tummery, both of whom were undefeated at this point in the competition. In a game were Roscavey’s Niamh Mullin did her best to stem the Tummery attack, it was ultimately a Rosie Barrett inspired performance which saw the Dromore girls claim the victory.
It was knock-out football after that, with Beragh v Roscavey and Tummery v Tattyreagh being the semi-final matchups. Beragh picked up where they left off in the group stages and powered to victory over fantastic parish rivals Roscavey, a team who certainly will have other big days ahead.
The second semi-final was a tighter affair, but in the end, an ability to take goal chances proved to be the difference, with Tummery winning on a score-line of 2-1. The game could well have been an even bigger result for the Tummery girls, had it not been for the bravery of Millie McDaid again in the Tattyreagh goals, a player who certainly put her body on the line on more than one occasion.
The scene was set then for the Beragh v Tummery final – 2 schools which had lit up the earlier rounds of the heat. In a very competitive game, it was always going to come down to small margins, and in the end, the Beragh girls’ ability to ‘find a way’ and take more of their chances which proved vital and saw them win on a 3-2 scoreline. In a game which hung finely in the balance, Emily Nixon took the game by the scruff of the neck and made it happen. It was certainly hard on a Tummery team who had lit up the heat with their power packed running and taking of scoring opportunities.
We congratulate St Oliver Plunkett PS Beragh and wish them well as they go forward to the County Final which is due to be held in Cookstown on Wednesday 11th March.
Our thanks to our referee Brian McGinn for his expert officiating and explaining of the rules to the girls throughout.
