St: Columbas & Scoil Mhuire claim Futsal titles

Letterkenny’s Aura Leisure Centre threw up a host of surprises yesterday (November 24) in the Ulster Post Primary Schools First Year Futsal Finals as both Patrician High School and Moville Community College relinquished their futsal titles:

Unfortunately too both the Monaghan and Cavan girl’s qualifiers namely Largy College and Breifne College were unable to attend the Ulster Finals which meant only two teams contesting the girl’s crown:

Meanwhile the boys section had all present and correct as St: Mogue’s College, Bawnboy, Patrician High School, Carrickmacross, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana and PCC Farcarragh all did battle in this category:

GIRLS COMPETITION

Nicola Ryan’s team based out of Stranorlar were well prepared for this event as they played their provincial qualifiers in the same venue a week previously and this stood them in good stead for the ultimate test against Noreen Meehan’s reigning Ulster stars Moville Community College in the girls division:

The girl’s competition took the format of two twenty minute deciders, leaving the aggregate score as the final result between the two sides:

Some fine futsal players were demonstrating their abilities on the ball as the game came to life four minutes in: Emma McNulty scored first for Columbas to give them a well needed confidence booster:

However, it didn’t take Meehan’s charges long to equalise as Emma Doherty put a halt to the Stranorlar celebrations: All level as the half time whistle went

The second half was tense and Ryan had to look to her bench to revitalise the team midway through proceedings: The mentor called upon the services of super sub Demi Buchcanon to deliver and that she did in spectacular style with a strike worthy of goal of the tournament: The youngster sent a screamer from close on the half way line right to the bottom right hand corner leaving the Moville keeper dismayed:

This goal proved to be decisive as the second leg of the competition saw Emma McNulty score again to leave the Stranorlar girls 3/1 winners: Meehan’s side can take consolation in their fine run in the competition which saw a cracking victory in their regional qualifiers: Unfortunately Moville met their match in Letterkenny and Ryan’s side venture forth to Gormanston for the All Ireland decider:

Presentation to Columbas Capt

FUTSAL

Futsal is a fast moving five/a/side indoor game where the rules are designed to discourage time wasting: The game develops speed, technique, skill and quick thinking of a player and is an excellent game for all young players and it certainly contributes immensely to the development of the young player:

But while many will say that it wasn’t all about the winning, it was great to see so many players, whether playing or just watching games, enjoy themselves and it was a real fun day and definitely futsal is something that we are going to hear a lot more about in the future with more and more schools taking to the sporting halls around the country:

BOYS COMPETITION

Farcarragh hosted St: Mogue’s in the opening game of this competition: The Cavan men were under the cosh as two first half goals from Dylan Doherty put the Inishowen team in a commanding position: The second half saw Farcarragh extend their lead as Dylan Harkin got his name of the score sheet leaving it 3/0 in Chris Smyth’s favour:

A well matched Scoil Mhuire and defending Champs Patrician High School drew battle next in the second test: The Monaghan men mentored by Colm McEneaney got on the score sheet first with a stunning strike courtesy of Brian McCluskey: Buncrana’s Ronan Hegarty equalised just before half time to make a real contest of it in the second period

Further goals from Paul Doherty and a second from Brian McCluskey made it 2/2 with only minutes remaining: The Patrician shot stopper Thomas Marron was in fantastic form as he drew two marvellous saves before the rocket Ronan Hegarty executed the goal of the game: A hat/trick of goals from Buncrana left them snatching the points from the Monaghan men: 3/2 the final score in a wonderful encounter

Farcarragh were looking to increase their points tally in the league table having defeated St: Mogues in their opening game while Scoil Mhuire were coming off a surprise victory to Patrician in this next test: Confidence was high from both sides as the game kicked off

Scoil Mhuire pounced first with a nestling shot to the top corner with Ronan Hegarty turning the heads of Farcarragh: Scoil Mhuire were close to extending their lead as James Adare saw his effort hit off the crossbar as the Buncrana boys held their 1/0 cushion heading into the second half:

Smyth’s team equalised soon after with a close range effort from Dylan Doherty but Scoil Mhuire’s Eoin Murphy was the saviour with the glories winner with only minutes to spare: 2/1 to Scoil Mhuire the end result: Scoil Mhuire looking good now to progress following two fine wins in the series

Patrician High School beat St: Mogue’s 2/0 in their penultimate games as Shane Duffy and Adam Lynagh rattled the Cavan net:

With the final games up for contention it saw group leaders Scoil Mhuire against bottom of the table St: Mogues and Patrician High School do battle against Farcarragh Community School

Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana made it three wins out of three with Michael Eoin Doherty and Michael Grant supplying the goals for a 2/0 victory over Bawnboy Boys St: Mogue’s

A five goal thriller in the other game saw Carrickmacross 4/1 winners over PCC Farcarragh: Shane Duffy, Jack Kelly and a brace of goals from Cathal McEneaney lead the Monaghan men to a positive end to their campaign: Unfortunately their title ambitions coming to an abrupt end but they gave an excellent account of themselves on the day:

Presentation to Scoil Mhuire Capt

St: Columbas College, Stranorlar and Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana will now progress to the All Ireland Finals which will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at Franciscan College, Gormanston, Co: Meath: We wish the schools the very best of luck in their endeavours to be crowned All Ireland Champions:

The event which is part of the FAI’s football in schools programme will be co/ordinated by National Administrative Officer for FAI Schools, Diane Fay: For further information please contact Diane on 0860404952

List of participating Schools:

Patrician HS Monaghan