Bailieborough Community School (Girls) and Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblaney (Boys) were crowned FAI Post Primary Schools First Year Futsal Ulster Champions on Thursday last (November 29) in the splendid surrounds of the Phoenix Centre Complex, Carrickmacross, Monaghan:
The Post Primary Schools futsal competition is in its fourth year nationally after a successful pilot programme: The competition caters for first year students with both boys and girls categories catered for:
The competition was split into two sections for both boys and girls, with group winners progressing to the All Ireland Finals to be held this Wednesday in Gormanston: Schools from Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan fought it out for the prestigious title:
GIRLS SECTION
The Girls section this year was a straight forward final between Bailieborough Community School in Cavan and Finn Valley College representing Donegal: The first half proved a tight affair, with the Cavan girls building up a 3/2 half time lead with the Donegal girls fighting back on two occasions: The second half however saw the more skilful Bailieborough girls stamp their authority on the final and increased their advantage to run out 6/3 winners to claim the Ulster title:
BOYS SECTION
Monaghan Champions, Our Lady’s Secondary School from Castleblaney were crowned Ulster Champions for the first time, when they won out in a very competitive but sporting competition: The first game saw the Blaney based school narrowly defeat a very brave Breifne College from Cavan on a 2/1 score line: Pre tournament favourites St: Columba’s from Donegal also had to etch out a hard fought victory over the Cavan Champions on 3/2 score line: Both results set up a winner takes all match between the Monaghan and Donegal Schools: Our Lady’s got off to the best possible start taking a 2/0 lead in the first five minutes through the outstanding David Hanley and Eli Ward: Indeed the Monaghan School were to add two more to lead a stunned Columba’s 4/0 at the end of the first period: The second half saw St: Columba’s make a mini revival, pulling two goals back but Our Lady’s were not to be denied and added a fifth goal to secure victory to lift the prestigious title, much to the delight of teacher Enda Tourish: There was a great scenes of joy as the trophy was presented to Our Lady’s winning captain David Hanley:
Our Lady’s SS, Castleblaney and Bailieborough CS will now progress to the All Ireland Finals which will be held on Wednesday next, December 5 at Franciscan College, Gormanston: We wish the schools the very best of luck in their endeavours to be crowned All Ireland Champions:
List of participating Schools:
Cavan (Boys) Breifne College
Cavan (Girls) Bailieborough Community School
Donegal (Boys) St: Columba’s, College, Stranorlar
Donegal (Girls) Finn Valley College, Stranorlar
Monaghan (Boys) Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblaney
Monaghan (Girls) No representative present
Report & Images courtesy of John Crudden (FAI Development Officer, Monaghan)