The annual Ronnie Kelly Cup and St Conor’s Shield “Indoor Gaelic Football Boys’ 5-a-side”competition took place recently in Omagh’s Station Centre. Seven schools from in and around the Omagh area, entered teams in a competition which produced a tremendously high level of skill and ability from all involved. The event was organised by Liam Grugan from St Conor’s PS
The format of the day’s play was based on two sections. Section 1 had St Conor’s Omagh, Christ the King PS Strathroy, Sacred Heart Tattyreagh and All Saints Tattysallagh. Section 2 consisted of Holy Family PS Omagh, St Lawrence’s Fintona and Drumlish PS.
After a morning of ‘round robin’ matches within each section and a series of semi finals, St Conor’s and St Lawrence’s PS qualified for the Ronnie Kelly Cup Final. Drumlish PS and Sacred Heart Tattyreagh qualified for the St Conor’s Shield Final. In the Shield final, Sacred Heart Tattyreagh emerged victorious against a gallant Drumlish PS. Later in a thrilling Ronnie Kelly Cup final, a determined St Conor’s defeated a courageous St Lawrence’s.
Mrs Chrissie Kelly, Ronnie’s wife, presented the finalists in the Cup competition with their awards. Omagh St Enda’s Conan Grugan presented the finalists in the Shield with their trophies.
The day was enhanced by the presence of the O’ Neill Cup and the Tyrone Junior Championship Cup which were won recently by Omagh St Enda’s and Tattyreagh St Patrick’s respectively.
St Conor’s would like to thank the Kelly family for donating the Ronnie Kelly Cup in honour of a most treasured friend and former Governor of the school. A special word of thanks is extended to Michael Mc Carron for his expert refereeing throughout the competition. Finally, our appreciation goes to the friendly and efficient staff at Omagh Station Centre.
A high quality section saw these teams play each other. There was never much between the teams. Indeed, all of them played their hearts out for the cause. Master Kelly and Master McKenna saw their brave Cabragh lads narrowly miss out, by one point, on a semi-final berth, despite playing some tremendous football. Instead, it was Greencastle PS (a win and draw) and Carrickmore PS (with two draws) and who qualified as Section ‘A’ Group Winners and Runners-up, respectively. Section ‘B’ pitched St Patrick’s PS, Dungannon along with Primate Dixon PS, Coalisland and St Patrick’s PS, Newtownstewart, in another high calibre group. Just as happened in the previous section, each team took points from each other. This underlined the tightness of these groups. A brilliant Primate Dixon PS Coalisland team, led by Master McQuaid, experienced a similar fate to Cabragh, when just one point was to deny them a semi-final place. Topping this particular section was St Patrick’s PS, Dungannon (a win and draw) with St Patrick’s PS, Newtownstewart finishing as group runners-up. A thrilling 5th place play-off between St Mary’s PS Cabragh and their counterparts from Primate Dixon PS Coalisland was keenly contested by two talented teams. After an epic game of football, it was the Cabragh lads who claimed fifth spot. Great credit to them and to Coalisland for being amongst the top 6 boys’ teams in Co. Tyrone this year! Our semi-finalists now prepared to do battle. First up we had Section ‘A’ winners, Greencastle PS against Section ‘B’ runners-up, Newtownstewart PS. We were about to witness a classic encounter. In a truly attacking spectacle, we had 5 goals scored. The play flowed from end-to-end. As the final whistle sounded, it was heartache for the boys from Our Lady of Lourdes PS Greencastle, as the lads from St Patrick’s PS, Newtownstewart edged a gripping match 3-2. Master McGinn’s Greencastle team were a credit to themselves and their school. However, this was not to be their day. No doubt, these gifted boys will bounce back next year. This meant that Master McGlone’s Newtownstewart PS had reached the county final. Who would they play? The second semi-final was between Section ‘B’ winners, Dungannon and Section ‘A’ runners-up, Carrickmore. In a cagey affair, both teams displayed strong defensive qualities. That said it was no less absorbing. The standard of goalkeeping, blocks and interceptions was of a high order. As a result, neither side managed to find the net and we had stalemate at 0-0. Extra-time was required. It was here the lads from Dungannon seemed to find that little bit more, and a 2-0 win (AET) secured their place in the final. Hard luck to a battling Carrickmore team, inspired by team mentor and Tyrone’s goal scoring hero from last week, Master Mark Donnelly. Carmen, without question, will be back stronger next year.
The scene was now set for our Tyrone Final. The capture of this prestigious Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Boys’ Indoor Football Champions 2014 title was now up for grabs. In a strange quirk of circumstances, we had two top Tyrone referees managing the teams in the final. St Patrick’s PS, Dungannon was led by Master Cathal O’ Hagan and their namesakes, St Patrick’s PS, Newtownstewart, were managed by Fabian McGlone. Which of these well known whistlers would emerge triumphant? George Harris at Full-back and Patrick McKearney in Dungannon’s midfield, along with their team mates gave everything they had. Danny McHugh and Tiarnan Mayse, as goal scoring midfielders, shone for a hard working Newtownstewart team. A pulsating match provided three goals. Both of our finalists used every ounce of energy in a huge effort the land the trophy. An incredible game of football ensued. The match ebbed one way and then the other. However, by the narrowest of margins, a 2-1 victory by the skilled boys from St Patrick’s PS, Newtownstewart proved enough to deprive the battling Dungannon boys on the day. It takes two teams to make a great final, and these wonderful players from Dungannon should be immensely proud of their endeavours. As for the victorious team, Master McGlone and his triumphant Newtownstewart lads can now bask in the glory of this tremendous accomplishment. The title of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone Boys’ Indoor Football Champions 2014 is well deserved. Next up for them is a tilt at the Ulster Championship title in Co. Derry next month. There is absolutely no reason why Newtownstewart PS can’t emulate the achievements of Sacred Heart PS, Rock, last year in annexing the Tyrone and Ulster double. Going by what we witnessed today and in the preliminary rounds the future of Tyrone football is certainly in good hands and very bright. Everyone associated with Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone certainly wishes them well in their quest for further glory. Ádh mór oraibh!
A word of thanks to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Tyrone secretary, Niall McQuaid, and Brian McGurk (Chairman) for organising this very successful competition.
