Futsal Champions crowning glory
Moyne Community College and St Joseph's College made history at the National Basketball Arena last week by becoming the first ever winners of the Post Primary Schools Futsal competition.
Last Wednesday's national final marked the conclusion of the first year the competition has been run, with winners from tournaments in the four provinces competing for the title of All-Ireland champions.
Connacht champions St Joseph's took the boys title back to Galway and Leinster's representatives Moyne, from Longford, added the girls national title to the provincial one they earned at the same venue in January.
In the boys section, Leinster conquerors Wexford and St Joseph's advanced to the final from a compelling group that also included Monaghan's Collegiate School and High School Clonmel.
Just as the group had been compelling viewing due to the high standard of play from the four sides, the final proved to be a tight affair, with the sensational Wexford unable to break down St Joseph's in normal time.
Robin Dempsey and Dale Scallon went close for Wexford, before Joseph's Eamonn Brannigan brought a tremendous save out of Jamie McDonald in goal and the final went to penalty kicks.
Even on a day when all the skill and entertainment of futsal is on show, like all sport, there has to be a winner and invariably a loser and in this case, both sides were so evenly matched that it was going to take a miss to win the game.
Brilliant
After three successful penalty kicks each, it was player of the competition Robin Dempsey who was unfortunate enough to see his effort saved by Chris Healy and St Joseph's took the title.
"It was a wonderful game and futsal is brilliant, for skill, for development and for the future of the game," said Barry McDermott, a teacher in St Joseph's College.
"This is a tremendous competition and very important that it is promoted properly in the future because the FAI are doing huge work in terms of coaching young kids and you only have to look today to see the effects of a hugely popular tournament like this."
In the girls section Moyne CC and Mercy Convent from Ballina overcame competition from Carrickmacross's Inver College and St Flannans from Ennis in the group section.
The pair met in the final and it was the Longford girls who again showed their impressive blend of skill and determination to add the national crown to their Leinster title. Goals from Mandy Cassidy and Emma Farrelly secured the victory for Moyne and coaches Catherine Linnane and Rose Keogh were delighted with their students.
"We have not traditionally had a big successful soccer background at our school but our success in a great competition like this one changes that and boosts our development for the future," said the coaches.
"The tournament overall has been very good and our girls have been impressive in not losing a single game on the way to winning the school's first ever national soccer title, so they are worthy champions."
Boys' finalists -- St Joseph's College (Champions): Eamonn Brannigan, Seamus Garrity, Aaron Kane, Colm Hughes, Enda Fallon, Shane Garvey, Ben Murphy, Dylan Thornton, Aaron Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Faddon, Sean Long, Chris Healy.
Wexford CBS (Runners-up): Jamie McDonald, Sean Stafford, Dale Scallon, Evan Dunbar, Robin Dempsey, Dillon Walsh, Conor Davidson, John Bridges, Kyle Mann, Gavin Byrne, Dariush Smith, Ian Moran.
Girls' finalists -- Moyne CC (Champions): Laura Whelan, Mandy Cassidy, Donna Masterson, Michelle Masterson, Ellie Callum, Aidean Mimnagh, Emma Farrelly, Catriona Farrelly, Ciara Keogh, Rebecca Maguire.
Mercy Convent (Runners-up): Evelyn O'Sullivan, Cliona Kelly, Clodagh Egan, Ciara Armstrong, Sarah Rove, Jessica Butler, Bryna Molloy, Michelle Mulligan, Rachel McDonnell, Rachel Cuffe.
- Gavin Earley