There was major celebration for two Monaghan Schools on Monday last, 26 January, when the Monaghan Collegiate School in Monaghan Town and Inver College Carrickmacross, won the boys and girls 1st Year Post Primary Schools Ulster FUTSAL Finals:
The event which is part of the FAI Schools Programme, was organised by Monaghan Development Officer, John Crudden:
The boys’ competition consisted of Monaghan Collegiate School, St Mogue’s College (Cavan) and Finn Valley College (Donegal):
The first match between Monaghan Collegiate and St: Mogue’s of Bawnboy was a close affair, with the Monaghan school taking an early 2/0 advantage, however Bawnboy showed the fighting qualities that won them the Cavan competition and fought back to 2/2:
The Collegiate remained calm and the more skilful Monaghan side scored what proved to be a decisive third goal to secure victory:
This fixture proved to be an important match in the Competition, as the Collegiate secured overall victory in the next match, easily defeating the Donegal School, Finn Valley College 9/2:
Bawnboy also defeated Finn Valley College 8/5 to clinch the runner/up spot:
In the girls’ event, Inver College (Monaghan) played Finn Valley College (Donegal) and easily won 6/1:
The second match in this section, saw Breifne College (Cavan) defeat Finn Valley College 4/2, to set up a final match decider against the Monaghan School:
This turned out to be the most exciting game of the day, the game ebbed and flowed: With just minutes remaining the sides were locked at 3/3 with extra time looming:
However a piece of individual brilliance from Inver Captain Leanne Maguire was to prove decisive, skilfully turning and hitting a wonderful shot giving the Breifne goalkeeper, no chance:
There was great delight when John Crudden, FAI Regional Development Officer for Monaghan, presented the trophy to Captain Aaron Maxwell of Monaghan Collegiate School:
The girls' were celebrating their fine victory with a joint presentation from Ian Carry, National Development Officer for FAI Schools & Eoin Killackey Women's Development Officer for North Leinster presenting the trophy to Captain Leanne Maguire of Inver College:
Both Monaghan Schools will now go forward to represent Monaghan and Ulster in the National Finals, which will be held on Wednesday, 11th February in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, Dublin: