Cumann na mbunscol

Boys’ Football Championship 2008

St. Malachy’s win Patsy McArdle Shield for first time !

The annual INTO Boys’ Football finals were held at St. Patrick’s Boys’ P.S. Downpatrick on Wed 16 April. Six teams qualified for this event viz. Carrick P.S Burren, St. Patrick’s Downpatrick, St. Bronagh’s Rostrevor, St. Malachy’s Castlewellan, St. Joseph’s Carryduff and St. Colman’s Abbey Newry. The competition was run on a league basis thus guaranteeing each team at least five games of ten minutes with Go Games rules being applied. In the first round matches, Castlewellan were fortunate to beat Downpatrick while the Abbey easily accounted for Carrick and Rostrevor overcame a gallant Carryduff team. By the end of the second round, Castlewellan were the only unbeaten side while Carrick and Carryduff registered their first victories.  

In the third series of games, Castlewellan still remained unbeaten by accounting for a spirited Carryduff outfit, Carrick beat Rostrevor by the narrowest of margins and Abbey easily overcame Downpatrick. The next round of games really decided the finalists with Castlewellan trouncing the Abbey, Carrick inflicting a heavy defeat on Carryduff and Downpatrick all but eliminating Rostrevor with their sole victory to date. After the final round of games, it was all down to a Castlewellan versus Carrick final. While Castlewellan had remained unbeaten throughout the competition, Carrick had improved with each game and had long put to bed their first round defeat to Abbey. This competition is renowned for its high level of skills and indeed these were all so evident in this keenly contested final. During the first half, both teams had opportunities to score and indeed Carrick had the upper hand but the uprights and superb defending ensured that neither team recorded a score.

Half Time: St. Malachy’s 0-0 Carrick 0-0

In the second half the game opened up with Burren scoring an early point. However with Sean Hardy starting to dominate midfield and Conor Malone and Sean O’Boyle creating havoc in the Burren defence St Malachy’s started to take control. Ruairi Croskery provided great back up from mid-field for the forwards and his strong running led to a great goal following up after a super save from the Carrick goalkeeper. Croskery then tagged on another goal and a point to open up a six point lead. Carrick came back with another goal but Ruairi Croskery finished the game with a cracking shot from 20 yards to the roof of the net. This was a great performance from a well drilled team. St Malachy’s coach Mr McCabe was extremely proud of the boys and the hard work he has put in coaching all the skills of Gaelic Football has certainly paid of. He deserves great praise for all his efforts. The scenes of celebration at the end were testament to how much the victory meant to the whole school. The boys involved who will go down in history St Malachy’s P.S. were Michael Croskery, Callum McCabe, Jake Carville (Capt), Sean Hardy, Ruairi Croskery, Conor Malone, Sean O ’Boyle, Sean Patrick Carvill, Liam O’Higgins and Gareth Devlin.
 
Results:

St. Patrick’s Downpatrick 1-0 St. Malachy’s Castlewellan 1-1

Carrick P.S. 1-0 St. Colman’s Abbey Newry 0-4

St. Bronagh’s Rostrevor 3-0 St . Joseph’s Carryduff 2-1

St. Patrick’s Downpatrick 0-1 Carrick P.S. 1-4

St. Malachy’s Castlewellan 3-1 St. Bronagh’s Rostrevor 2-1

St. Colman’s Abbey Newry 0-2 St. Joseph’s Carryduff 2-0

St. Patrick’s Downpatrick 1-1 St. Colman’s Abbey Newry 2-3

St. Malachy’s Castlewellan 1-4 St. Joseph’s Carryduff 0-5

Carrick P.S. 2-2 St. Bronagh’s Rostrevor 1-4

St. Malachy’s Castlewellan 3-2 St. Colman’s Abbey Newry 1-1

St. Patrick’s Downpatrick 1-2 St. Bronagh’s Rostrevor 1-1

Carrick P.S. 4-2 St. Joseph’s Carryduff 0-3

St. Colman’s Abbey Newry 1-3 St. Bronagh’s Rostrevor 4-2

St. Patrick’s Downpatrick 1-2 St. Joseph’s Carryduff 2-2
 
FINAL
St. Malachy’s Castlewellan 3-1 Carrick P.S. 1-1

After the final whistle, Collie Bell, Cathaoirleach Cumann na mBunscol an Duin, congratulated all those who had participated in this year's competition and applauded the high level of skills displayed by all present but none more so than the victorious Castlewellan team. They had remained unbeaten throughout the day's play and were worthy winners. Carrick had indeed provided a stiff test for them and never stopped trying. He awarded medals to both teams and presented the Patsy McArdle Shield to the captain of the winning team, Jake Carville. He reminded all present of the sterling work undertaken by the late Patsy McArdle , a former principal of Carrick P.S., for Gaelic games and in particular Cumann na mBunscol an Duin. Mr. Bell then thanked Mr. Hugh Kelly principal of St. Patrick’s P.S. Downpatrick for the use of their playing area and Martin Fitzsimons who refereed many of the games.